Random Short Translations (from various languages into English)

Spoiler: How it all started

Well, a few weeks back, I chanced upon this thread: http://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/why-do-fan-translators-pick-up-so-many-projects.18822/

This reminds me of the time when I did this 3 years back: https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5608

And so, given my itchy fingers, I thought about restarting this, albeit at a slower pace given my other series.

I asked permission from Shio, and this is the response: http://forum.novelupdates.com/members/shio.1350/#profile-post-130244

Last time, when I posted Tada, Sore Dake de Yokanttan Desu in the Novel General thread, the thread got moved to the Novel Discussion thread. I do intend to continue this one though.

The end

Now, back on point.

This is a thread for me (or anyone else, and hopefully anyone else too) to post random translations of a particular novel chapter. There are a few house rules.

1. Translated text must be in English. Tolong, Inggris.
2. Text can be translated from any other language. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, you name it. (Except English. English to English translation doesn't count unless you count Cockney accent to Brooklyn accent)
3. No R18+ stories.
4. General forum rules apply
5. To post a translation, please follow this format:

Title of Story, Volume OO, Chapter OO
Author
Source Language
Text
Type: (For JP webnovel, leave it as 'syosetsu', for CN webnovel, leave it as 'xiaoshuo')

6. If text is longer than 1000 words, please post it in a spoiler.
7. For comments on a chapter, please quote the chapter in particular so that the relevant translator will be notified.
8. Translators are to pick a portion/series that has yet to be translated, or done by that same translator before. For example, Clockwork Planet 4 has yet to be translated, and that can be posted here as a teaser. It's a teaser thread, basically.

Mods, please edit this post to update the table of contents, and follow the format.

Contents:
1. B.A.D, done by Hell_ping on December 18, 2016
2. Clockwork Planet done by Hell_ping on December 29, 2016
3. It's Really Hard to Repay Someone done by lalalyly on January 4, 2017
4. Daoist Gu done by Ruyi on February 1, 2017
5. Emperor and Wild Dog done by lalalyly on Feburary 2, 2017
6. The Challenges of Being a Lady done by underwaterrain on February 7, 2017
7. Hakai no Miko done by LostBMe on February 7, 2017
8. The Irresponsible Captain Tyler done by LostBMe on February 7, 2017
9. The Challenges of Being a Lady done by underwaterrain on February 9, 2017
10. Clockwork Planet done by Hell_ping on February 10, 2017
11. Only I am not Attacked in a World Overrun with Zombies, Chapter 1 by xzpwnz on February 11, 2017
12. Damerori Chapter 1 by LostBMe on February 13, 2017
13. Ryuuou no Oshigoto! by Hell_ping on February 19, 2017
14. The Third, The Blue Eyed Sword Dancer, Chapter 6 (The Final Chapter) by LostBMe on March 2, 2017
15. Manuke FPS (マヌケなFPSプレイヤーが異世界へ落ちた場合), Prologue by xzpwnz on August 3, 2017
16. Monster Hunter - Senkou no Kariudo, Volume 1 Prologue Scene 1 by Barnnn on August 3, 2017
17. Monster Hunter - Cross Soul, Volume 1 Prologue Scene 1 by Barnnn on August 8, 2017
18. Heaven's Shadow 118 and 119 by gaianova on August 10, 2017
19. Monster Hunter - Cross Soul, Volume 1 Prologue Scene 2 by Barnnn on August 10, 2017
20. Monster Hunter - Cross Soul, Volume 1 Prologue Scene 3 by Barnnn on August 16, 2017
21. Monster Hunter - Cross Soul, Volume 1 Full Prologue by Barnnn on September 23, 2017
22. Tosho Meikyuu Prologue by Hell_ping on October 29, 2017




Now then, let's begin.

 

Title and Chapter: B.A.D. (Beyond Another Darkness), Volume 1 Chapter 1
Author: Ayasato Keishi
Language: Japanese
Type: Light Novel (Famitsu Bunko)

Spoiler: Chapter

It sounded as though someone fell onto the road.


When I heard that, I stopped my hand from rising upwards, and lifted my head to see the clear blue sky dazzling away. The thick black shadows covered everything between the buildings, and only the sky was blue.


I felt as though I heard something drop.

But I suppose that was a hallucination

Besides, there was nobody around beside me.


I continued to insert the silver coin into the vending machine, and at the next moment, the coin went to the change slot. Sweat soaked my body, and my throat let out a dried voice…that’s strange, why am I so thirsty? I feel like a fish washed ashore. I bent down, picking up the 100 yen coin, only to hear a splat. I turned fback, and found something crimson red laying on the steaming asphalt road, a thoroughly black object giving off a bloody scarlet, like a cat carcass that was knocked down by a car.


Ahh–that’s a uterus.


I confidently thought as I watched that bloody slab of flesh. There was raw meat cooking on the burning road, giving off a foul stench. Seeing this, I felt like drinking some water again.

Someone seems to be watching me. Again, I look up at the sky, and seem to find someone standing at the roof of an abandoned building. However, that person’s hiding under the strong sunlight, and I couldn’t see that person. I want that person to see me, so I continue to wave my arms frantically. That person remained unmoved no matter how I tried to get that attention. I tried calling out, but my parched throat could not let out a voice. Thus, I wanted to use the vending machine, and turned around.


But the 100 Yen…

---

I love my older sister; nobody loves her more than I do. So, I have to kill her. That is my responsibility. Why do I have to tell you this? That's because I...


Love her.

I shake my head, trying to shake away the voice in my mind. Sweat trickles down my back, my throat's abnormally parched, and I lift my head to see the white sun boiling on me. I pull my tie out, pull the shirt out from my pants, and hold my suit in my hand. As I continue forward, I can gradually hear buzzing. This area has been gradually becoming abandoned due to improper management; the area was usually devoid of people, and yet crowds flock in to see the commotion, while the policemen and paparazzi have their cars parked on the other side. The uniformed policemen are inside the cordoned area, wriggling about.

What are those people taking photos of with their cellphones?

The moment they hope to take photos of a 'bloodied organ', their cameras will explode.

So I cursed, and I continue walking. If you have nothing better to do, why show up at a crime scene? How demented are you? I'm utterly frustrated, and continue onward tentatively, only to see a splash of red appear in my sights.

The girl is holding a red umbrella, dressed as a gothic loli in a laced black dress that looked so surreal. She bites at a piece of chocolate, and her beautiful face is otherworldly. Besides those who showed up to view the commotion, many passersby are giving looks of intrigue.

Ahh, I wish I'm someone else now.

"Did I keep you waiting, Mayu-san?"

"5 minutes and 20 seconds late. It's rare of you though. Eating chocolate once in a while isn't a bad thing. Want some?"

The rarity of a beauty--Mayuzumi said, and brought some chocolate to me. She's probably trying to tease me, since the chocolate has clear bite marks on it. I guess nobody told her to 'not give half-eaten food to others', and wonder if she has received morals education in the first place.

"Sorry, I'm not eating it."

"The convenience store there has chocolate sold in blocks, but no matter how cheap or expensive they are, the satisfaction of eating them is the same. The amount of polyphenol does not matter, so I really don't understand why people have to argue over that. Chocolate is a poison anyway, and thus able to soothe everyone's soul."

Mayuzumi says something really extreme, and takes another bite of chocolate. The dark brown color crumbles between her lips.

"This time, it's the uterus. Looks like things are developing in an interesting way."

The chocolate resembles dried blood. My minds starts to conjure a disgusting image, and I shake my head. Right, if it can be described as a human organ...

"Like a placenta? Does it resemble it, or not?"

"..."

"Ahh, or maybe, a fetus? Menstrual blood? Probably not. This is just normal chocolate."

"...I didn't say anything. Just eat."

"Good."

She licks her lips, and then ask a sslightly belated question,

"Right, why were you late?"

"Erm, Mayu-san, I think you were the one who suddenly decided to change the venue, right? You made me walk dozens of minutes from the station under this hot sun in suit..."

"It's fine, you don't have to explain. Do you know why the uterus is dropped this time? Odagiri-kun?"

All I know is that you just want to change the topic.

Right, I swallow my words. I really want to take out a cigarette to smoke, but the problem is that the superior standing in front of me won't allow me to do so, and legally, I, currently 19 years old, will be breaking the law if I'm to smoke. There's the police nearby, and thus more incentive for me not to smoke.

"Well, Odagiri-kun, you should cut out on smoking no matter whether there is someone. Tobacco stinks. What is nice about it?"

"Mayu-san, please stop reading the minds of people. Also, I don't need you to worry about me quitting smoking."

And it's your fault that I'm a heavy smoker due to the ridiculous amount of stress.

As usual, I swallow my words, but Mayuzumi smiles.

Her lips curl like a beast.

"Back on point then, Odagiri-kun. The uterus dropped means that the victim is a female, since a man doesn't have such an organ With that, those words are now believable."

Hearing that, I sigh. Is it a good thing or a bad thing to be sure of what was said? Mayuzumi places the umbrella on her shoulder, and walks off. Seeing her elegant stride, the passersby give way to her for some strange reason, but not for me.

"Right, how's your situation?"

"Anyway, it involves a mental problem. She keeps emphasizing on how she wants to personally murder her older sister, and I think it's best to reject her request and have her visit a psychiatrist."

"Well, you're right. Maybe we shall do that. However...Odagiri-kun--"

Mayuzumi suddenly raises the umbrella in her hands, and looks up, which I follow suit. Someone seems to be standing at the roof, but that person's engulfed in a rainbow-like light, too blurry to be seen. I look away skeptically, and see Mayuzumi standing in front of a vending machine by the road, staring at the change slot in an incredulous manner. She notices my stare, smiles, and continues on nonchalantly,

"And one more thing, Odagiri-kun."


"Right now, organs continue to drop."


The organs from people unknown continue to drop on the ground between these abandoned buildings.

A strange phenomenon that happens irregularly.

I meant the woman who knows the truth behind those strange happenings.

It's an 'inexplicable' story.

 

cliff san we meet again what the heck?!
that's all? ah is that LN or WN?

 

It can be a portion, or a whole chapter. Given that some chapters can be really short, it depends on how much you want to post.

The one hour restriction is for myself, tbh.

@asriu, let's be honest, that part was done by me six months back. I'll continue to add more over the next hour.

@Legendary_Exor , LN. Updated post in particular to include lndb link

 

Is this a LN or WB? Link pls :3

 

>.> okay @Hell_ping do you plan to finish chapter 1? because you stated it can be partial~

 

For goodness sake, I still have Kamimemo 7 and Magdala 3 to finish by the end of the year...

Anyway, my translation is done for the moment. I do apologize for the bleak opening, but I'll do something more cheerful next week. (it's Christmas)

 

ah yeah magdala ~ I can only say good luck on christmas and new year

 

Title and Chapter: Clockwork Planet Volume 4 Prologue (Double issue due to not posting on Christmas)
Author: Yuu Kamiya and Tsubaki Himana
Language: Japanese
Type: Light Novel (Kodansha Ranobe Bunko)

Spoiler: Prologue

At first, the universe had nothing, and then, the world was suddenly born.



Till this point, there were all kinds of fables depicting the creation of the Earth.

God created it in 7 days. Or a Mother God consummated her love with a Father God. Or a giant or a dragon was slained, and the contents of the corpse spilled out, creating everything.

But while fables described how the earth was formed, they never described why the world was born.

Eternity, infinity, chaos—it was said the world appeared without reason, amidst these mind boggling massive concepts.

Even the fable called science defined it simply as the creation of heaven and earth, the Big Bang.

That was a massive expansion, suddenly born of the 'void' that differed from time and space.
And so, such Gods, love, monsters, singularities, and massive energies appeared from this 'void'.

In the end—was there a special reason to it?

None.

...No, perhaps there was a reason, butt at the very least, while people asked for no reason, they couldn't find the existence that was the answer.

The crucial point is, was there really a purpose to this question?

For example, the creator of this 'Clockwork Planet'.

The latest creator who replicated this world using gears.

In other words—as for 'Y'.



“Why did you create this world?”



If 'Y' were to be asked this, how would he answer?

For humanity? To save the Earth from destruction?

Would a living creature giving such an answer of common sense create something way beyond common sense?

It was likely that he would probably tilt his head and wonder,

—But I never thought about it.



In fact, it need not be a god alone who could create a world.

Just write poems, draw paintings, say stories. Music or sculptures are fine too.

If not, there's no need to force oneself to create; one could simply imagine freely in the mind.

With that, we shall be able to create the universe that belongs to us.

Also, there's no meaning or meaning to doing this. Because there's no need for it.

Those in the profession of novelists, manga illustrators, musicians, creators might answer: doing this is an expression of thought, to please everyone.

However, those were simply lies, merely pretentious.

“I just created because I want to create.”

—Any reason other than that would be superfluous.


In the beginning, there was nothing, and then, the world was suddenly born.

There was no significance to this at all.

Of course, it is the freedom for us common folk to fantasize about some highly exalted will, intentions, that brought about this miracle...

But in any case, this, like the creation of the world, had no significance at all—

In the past, a genius called 'Y' recreated the world using gears.


And so, 1000 years later...


—Vainney Halter never believed in fate.


A long time ago, back when he was a youth, not converted into a cyborg, from the day he first entered the battlefield, he had always—no, it was likely that he had been like this, even long before then.

He went through countless battlefields, and created a countless number of deaths.

There was simply the bare truth.

An unshakeable belief that was affirmed through experience and realism, and when faced with a simple chain of coincidences, he would simply deny them and eliminate irrational thoughts.

There was no meaning to the world.

There was no value to Life.

There was no significance to the truth—

Those would simply vanish easily from time to time, sometimes expended in a manner inferior to that of paper shreds.

For comparison, it would be like a currency with a loss of confidence losing all its value in an instant..

The 'fate' devoid of belief would instantly lose its value, and simply end up as an existence as a type of 'situation.

And because of this—that so called 'fate' would always come to an end without much effort.

If I'm to say that I have the talent to be a soldier, it's because I understand the reality of this cruel truth. Halter thought.


Eastern Bazaar of Grid Shangri-La, Chang Klang District.

The stalls on that messy road was called the night bazaar, and in the past, it was a tourist attraction that had many traditional artistic pieces there.

At this point, the stalls were freely selling illegal stuff that anyone in possession of would have a hundred years of prison—they included dangerous weapons, armaments, suspicious drugs, kids pornography and murder movie albums.

Halter was shopping at one of the stalls, eyeing a massive transformable handgun that was showcased there.

A slightly plump shop attendant greeted from the other hand.

“Interested in this one? You have a fine eye, sir.”

The attendant rubbed his hands eagerly, ready to sell, and upon seeing that, Halter could only grimace, and answer,

“Hand-made? Looks really powerful.”

“It's a work from a famed maker here, one of a kind. The gun name is 'Monarca'. It uses a transformable structure that includes everything from sniping to scattershot. At maximum output, it can fire 20 rounds of 15mm hardcore armor piercing rounds. I had some idiot of flesh only broke his arm while test firing it, but you can relax about that, sir...”

The attendant continued with the business talk, but it was not out of courtesy.

Halter was a complete cyborg.

He's not of the latest model, but he was a fifth generation model that incorporated many of the the actual armaments the 'military' used. Also, looking at his massive body frame for a man that was beyond standardization, it was obvious that it was not a stealth type meant to suppress the power output, but an assault type, specially designed to handle the high powered weapons the body of flesh and blood couldn't handle.

47cm long, 17 kg heavy—this 'massive item' was ostensibly a challenge to the dimension limits of a portable weapon.

But it was to be expected why the attendant would expect Halter to be able to wield it easily.

Halter's fingers slid across the gun that was as shiny as a mirror, and nodded, saying,

“I see, it's interesting. I'll buy this then.”

“”Yes, thank you for your patronage. Please head to the 'arsenal' shop for test firing. You can have an hour of free service as long as you state your name.”

“Thanks.”

Halter paid up, took the specialized holster, and inserted the gun he just bought.

That gun was more akin to a mini cannon than a handgun, but it was terrifyingly small when paired with the waist of a massive hulk like Halter.

Halter tidied his suit, and turned to leave.

Darting through the alley between the open-aired stalls, he arrived at an area selling various products. The stretch of stalls mainly sold weapons and armaments and illegally modified automata.

—And in a corner of that road, there was a bunch of misfits letting out a commotion.

Halter recognized them, and nonchalantly approached them.

“—Naoto! Didn't you boast that you already understand AnchoR's structure completely!? Do I take it as a declaration of defeat that you say you don't know the parts needed!?”

The one shrieking—with some childishness in the voice was a blond girl.

She was dressed in a thin white shirt, a white and black striped camisole underneath and a denim culotte pants, quite a freestyle fashion.

And in contrast to that outfit, the tool belt that looked exceptionally old was really eyecatching.

“How many times must I tell you, Marie! It's not that I don't know what parts to use, I don't know the name of the parts!”

And the black-haired boy called Naoto growled back at the girl.

He was wearing a cheap floral print T-shirt and light blue overalls.

Also, he had neon green noise cancellers holding down his loose, messy hair.

While the duo didn't look too obvious for a boy and a girl, they really stood out in this shopping street of suspicious goods.

“I'll know once I see the real thing. It's fine, right?”

Naoto hollered, and the blond girl—Marie snorted in a condescending manner.

“Oho? So this means that you're going to walk down this street to check out each stall, one by one for parts, young master Naoto? Do you know how many parts do you need about that?”

“As I said, we can do the basic repairs with 68,323,405 parts.”

“So even if we take a second on average to find a part, it'll take about 790 days, you know? Are you planning to stay in this stinky sewer of a place? Are you an idiot?”

Marie's emerald eyes glared up, and Naoto's light grey glared back in return.

If he was to leave them be—just like this, the two kids would continue glaring at each other all day long. With an amicable tone, he spoke to them,

“Yo, kept you waiting?”

And Marie continued glaring at Naoto, answering,

“Not really—still okay. Done buying your stuff?”

“Yeah. Got something decent. As for you guys...what, disagreements?”

“No, I suppose their little squabble simply cannot be described in a an exalted manner.”

Calmly answering was a silver-haired girl of an automata standing beside Naoto—RyuZU.

Her beautiful face was so intricate, her body obviously alluring under the black dress—even though it was not the appropriate place, she would really attract the attention of others.

“It is to be expected that Master Marie would let out an outburst of crude, inferior envy despite seeing Master Naoto eke his mind and yet unable to obtain an answer. I do hope that Master Marie is able to understand the notion of hiding her envy—for it is really noisy.”

“Who do you say is envious here!?”

RyuZU let out a long spiel of vicious words, and it agitated Marie enough to spite back.

And the latter pointed at Naoto—

“Listen up, this, guy, here, if he's as amazing as that mouth of him, I wouldn't be yapping away here—”

“Erm...mama.”

While Marie was in the midst of her outrage, the automata taking the appearance of a little girl, AnchoR, tugged at Marie's sleeve.

Her black hair and innocent expression looked really adorable, and even the best of the toy automata paled in comparison to her when it came to cuteness. Compared to her head though, her body was utterly damaged. It was startling to see that under her usual clothes—including a one piece dress that covered her entire body, there were patchwork parts attached to her.

AnchoR stumbled over to beg,

“Don't argue. Okay?”

Marie immediately hugged AnchoR, beaming away.

The displeased growl became a sweet purring used to coddle a kitten.

“What are you saying, AnchoR—mama wasn't quarreling♪”

“...But you're angry, right?”

“Not at all not at all. I'm not angry at all. Feeling great.”

Marie lifted the little mechanical body, rubbing her cheeks on the girl as she said.

It appeared that she had already cast off the attitude she had a few seconds ago.

“Right right, better get down to buying the parts for AnchoR. No time to waste—shall we go?”

“Well, whatever...I got to be impressed by that sudden mood swing of yours.”

Naoto gave a blank look, and walked out.


Halter though.

—How many people will be cuddling their head after hearing this?

This would be the true state of the Second Upsilon, the masterminds and culprits of the 'February 8 incident' that shook Japan to the core, an armed terrorist group that the world viewed as an enemy. They started off with a terrorist act announcement on Akihabara a month ago, triggered an EMP crisis there, and also a skirmish at Sakuradamon.

Or that would appear to be on the surface.

But in fact, that wasn't the case. They willingly took the blame to destroy all conspiracies, and prevented a world crisis. They were not terrorists, but could be considered saviors.

For those who had a little understanding of the workings of the world—this level of knowledge would be public knowledge.

However...

“...Anyway, where did that uncle Vermouth go to? He hasn't been back for two days.”

“Who knows? Probably off to some dirty shop somewhere.”

“In that body? What kind of a pervert is he?”

“You already know that little hoodlum is a pervert.”

At this moment, RyuZU hissed,

“—Master Naoto, I do apologize for cutting you off when you're revealing your unique fetishes, but please lend a ear.”

“Papa, mama, there are dangerous people here...”

AnchoR, resting in Marie's clutches, scowled, warning.

Naoto pricked his ears warily, and muttered,

“We got people aiming at us...”

“—What's going on? Halter. Didn't you greet the local militia here?”

“I did. But there's a whole lot of idiots on this streets who refuse to abide commands and work in groups, thinking that they're outlaws. Do you think those guys will obey the rules nicely?”

As he answered Marie, Halter drew out the gun he just bought.

Marie and the others were the most dangerous faction in the world at this point. Just a dead or alive bounty on them was alluring enough; there would be as many criminal organizations as there are stars yearning for the technology.

Halter never explained these matters beforehand, and sighed.

He thought, this is the problem—

No matter whatever the truth everyone knew of, these two automata had combat abilities beyond common sense, and the two teenagers once easily grasped the core structure of the country.

In the face of such an unshakable truth, the facts, good and evil, and accomplishments did not matter.



—If only there is no god.

If everything was driven by an omnipotent 'miracle', tacky 'magic', or inevitable 'fate', then nobody would be able to refute, nobody would be able to grumble.

But the reality was that they were simply humans on the surface. The massive 'power' they contained remained unrestricted by any systems.

No matter what the duo themselves might think, that would be an overwhelming 'authority' equivalent to God.

However...



—Vainney Halter didn't believe in Gods.

At the very least, he definitely wouldn't believe in an absolute, only, and all-knowing God.

For Halter knew—

He knew the cold, hard truth, that no matter how powerful a force—there was nothing in the world that was absolute.

Ever since that incident in Tokyo, the police, 'military' and all kinds of criminal organizations came swarming on Naoto and the others to capture them with full force—but they were all completely mistaken.

The simple thinking of trying to challenge the Imaginary Gear and Perpetual Gear with brute force alone was a mistake on their part.

They shouldn't be battling the ones they couldn't beat—they should eliminate them.



—Vainney Halter wasn't a Meister.

He didn't have the supernatural talent to grasp the world like the two kids in front of him, and didn't have the skills of those specialists in the 'Meister Guild'. Even after stripping him of the disadvantageous condition of being a cyborg, being a Gazelle—the knowledge and expertise an ordinary person could obtain from working hard, that was his limit.

But that was enough.

No matter how amazingly intricate a clock was, as long as a part was faulty—everything would stop.

No matter the talent, this truth would never change.



—Thus, he just had to do this.



In a natural motion, Halter grabbed Naoto by the back of his neck, and pressed the gun at the latter's temple.

The atmosphere froze.

“...May I ask what you are doing, you scrap metal?”

RyuZU slowly turned around.

Halter took on the killing intent from RyuZU's stare that could possibly kill anyone, and smiled, saying,

“That's how it is, Missy. To quote a third-rate movie, do as I say if you want this guy here to live.”

“Uncle?”

“Halter, what are you—!?”

Naoto muttered in disbelief, and Marie widened her eyes in shock, unable to say anything.

Halter held Naoto hostage, and slowly pulled his distance from RyuZU, thinking,

I'm still alive—

This could be considered a victory for him.

He was simply an old military cyborg, and normally, given the terrifying capabilities of the opposing automata, he would be dissected at a speed he wouldn't be aware of.

Given this position and timing, even if she couldn't slice the bullet with the gun before he could squeeze the trigger and shoot through Naoto's skull...

RyuZU herself had another backup.

She could instantly reverse this situation by using the Dual Time—Mute Scream.

But RyuZU didn't do so. She couldn't.

For she understood that it would be a waste of effort.

“Thank you for being so alert.”

Halter maintained his smile, and continued,

“If you think I'm the only one aiming for Naoto, well, that'll be a big mistake. Both Naoto and I will be dead for sure.”

“...”

“Just to be safe, I'll say beforehand that there aren't just snipers set up around us. I know your capabilities and Naoto's ears, and it's not difficult for me to set up a stage to seal off everything.”

Right, it was not difficult.

RyuZU needed a few seconds of lag before she could enter 'Mute Scream'. Assuming that the few seconds could be lagged, that would still be only one problem solved.

Once she enters 'Mute Scream', the power generated from the spring would run out.

If she were to enter the Dual Time without knowing of the enemy's positions—the threats, positions and numbers, if she was to missed out of just one, Naoto would be defenseless, prone to danger.

RyuZU naturally could not make such a risk.

“What do you intend to do after this?”

“Scram, of course. Those black scythes of yours are terrifying.”

“Very well—please do so then. Even if you are to escape into the latrine—my apologies for an uncouth word. Even if you are to hide under the cover of a toilet bowl, I will drag you out, even if I have to reduce this entire city to scraps...”

“That's fine. I hope that you'll try—a sisterly battle will start then.”

“!? That's—”

Naoto struggled in Halter's clutches.

However, Halter remained poised turned the gun towards Naoto.

“Sorry Naoto. No suggestions or questions. You say anything, and I'll squeeze the trigger immediately. Yap some more, and this plan might fail.”

“...Ugh.”

The icy feeling of the gun at the temple caused Naoto to shut up before he could speak.

And on the other hand, Marie was shouting with a trembling voice,

“...What's going on here? Halter, what are you doing?”

Halter saw the girl show confusion and anger, two emotions that went beyond extreme glaring at him, and grimaced as he answered,

“Sorry Marie, this is a job too.”

“Job...?”

“Some valued customer has a large bounty for this guy's head and ears. He's able to grasp a Core Tower, and you know how valuable this talent is without me saying, right?”

“Why—did you betray us!?”

“Betray?”

Halter blankly repeated, and was left aghast.

“—Sorry Princess. I don't remember signing a contract with you, nor do I remember getting a salary from you. I merely helped you out of goodwill—as a member of society, I can't let my emotions get in the way of work here, right?”

“HALTER—!!”

Marie let out an intense yell from her lips that were quivering in anger.

One could also hear some malice from those words, it seemed.

—But in any case.

The talent and capabilities that shook the world were sealed off just like that.

And in this volatile atmosphere that was on the verge of exploding, Halter smiled nonchalantly—recapping the meaning of the 'job' this time.



It all started two days ago—-

 

@Hell_ping you aa will not post it on your website for clockwork?

 

Title and Chapter: It's Really Hard to Repay Someone, Chapter 1, part 1
Author: Xi Juan
Language: Chinese
Type: xiaoshuo

Spoiler

This is the first part of chapter 1. Not sure if I will continue this, but the story seems cute.


Chapter 1

Within Zhou Corp, rumors spread that the super-secretary Wang YouZhen that was poached with high bonuses by the current chairman was to be the Zhou eldest son’s future wife, Zhou Corp’s next generation chairman’s wife.

So, from the first day Wang YouZhen set foot in Zhou Corp to work, she was treated with respect. No one dared to bully her because of jealousy of her good fortune or because she was recruited with high bonuses and gifts.

The future chairman’s wife! There’s not even enough time to flatter her; why would they bully her? Don’t even talk about bullying, no on even dared to casually talk about their sour grapes anywhere where she could possibly be. Even so, to helpless watch Zhou Corp’s most live, fresh, tender piece of high-grade Matsusaka beef (TN1)---Ah, no! It’s Zhou Corp’s number 1 golden bachelor…. Yes, to helplessly watch Zhou Corp’s number 1 golden bachelor to be casually carried off by an outside hire(TN2) would stir up some resentment in many hearts. But life is not fair. To compare yourself to others would only anger you to death. Everyone has their own fate so no use airing grievances. Or just work harder next lifetime, whether it’s to work harder to be more beautiful or to work harder at having more capability and talent. (T/N: (1)Matsusaka beef is high grade Wagyu beef --松阪牛肉-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsusaka_beef (2) The original wording for outside hire was ‘airborne troops’which is slang for someone hired from the outside instead of promoted from inside a company.)

Wang YouZhen had only entered Zhou Corp for 2 weeks so no one could tell if her ability was high or not. Don’t even mention her direct supervisor was Zhou young master! The spoiled playboy who made people who worked more than seven hours in a day for him cry out for an oxygen tank! Anyone with any ability who worked under Zhou eldest young master probably wouldn’t have any hope of having any great achievements that could be seen in the light of day.

Every company more or less had factions; the management teams put together by Zhou Corp, a family-run corporation well-known for emphasizing ‘blood over ability’, is no exception.

Zhou eldest young master’s faction’s name was a bit more unique than most. His “Vice General Manager Office faction” had another simpler nickname – Ancient Tomb Sect.

Here in the Ancient Tomb Sect, ‘talent’ would become stifled into mediocrity. “Fortunately,” those who were transferred into this group who used to have life plans as thick as a dictionary would end up with only three words—wait for retirement.

This was not deliberately planned by the company. At least, not in the beginning.

Originally every person transferred to this group had a sacred mission, that is to become the core advisors for Zhou eldest young master to assist their master in blazing a new trail and finally ascend to the top throne. At that time, they would naturally be able to ride his coattails to success, and be assigned a key post in the large Zhou family conglomerate, gaining both fame and fortune, blessed beyond belief…..indeed! But—contrarily, they realized that they encountered an incompetent idiot!

Ah, grievances….Sobbing…..Might as well return…

Zhou eldest young master hadn’t sat in the vice general manager seat for more than three years, but he had already destroyed bucketfuls of elite employees. Those who would change companies did so. Those who requested transfers received them. The only ones left were those who didn’t have much in the way of career ambitions or goals. These people probably felt that the stress-free, peaceful Zhou family Ancient Tomb region culture wasn’t so bad. Without any worries, they were paid every month, and could get a paycheck all the way through retirement, nothing more.

Just like testing into a government agency!

Those sent on a mission to the Vice General Manager’s office who were optimists called it an office-worker’s heaven; those who were pessimists would call it the tomb of business elites.

Wang YouZhen had worked for two weeks and hadn’t accumulated much experience. However, she had yet to meet her reportedly ‘worked too hard for a year, with much difficulty I’ve been granted a long vacation so I can properly relax’ supervisor.

Whether the boss was in his seat or not really didn’t matter to the office staff; four of her special assistant coworkers told her---

“Whether the boss is here or not doesn’t matter. He is very trusting of his subordinates and completely lets us have free reign. We evaluate any reports or proposals; he doesn’t do anything. Boss said that he’s only a rubber stamp. Resolve our own problems. Don’t casually disturb his vacation with trivial matters.”

Two assistant secretaries blinked their bright big eyes, fluttered their metallic blue long eyelashes, had this to say—

“When the boss isn’t here, our lives are easier! Otherwise we’d have to answer the phone until our hands go limp!”

“Right! Right! If it isn’t helping to order flowers, it’s setting up dates, and we can’t let his girlfriends have an opportunity to accidentally encounter each other! This is really a difficult task!”

Finally after Wang YouZhen arrived, Liu RuoBao, the former secretary, was assigned to deputy secretary. Compared to the six brightly dressed people, this woman was cleary determined to be a nun. Yet guessing from her quiet, cautious words, she was a reincarnation of some incapable ruler’s faithful sycophant. She said—

“Vice General Manager really worked hard all of last year. Our wise leader not being in the office would really cause some inconvenience to our work, like a headless dragon. But because of his full authorization and complete faith, we can complete business as usual without any problems. Vice General Manager is a supervisor who is good at assigning the right work to the right people.”

Whe she spoke, at least five of the six other people rolled their eyes. The sixth didn’t because of a yawn so she didn’t get to join in.

Generally, secretaries and special assistants were of the same rank. But these circumstances were forcibly changed two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, the chairman personally led Wang YouZhen here for a serious introduction. Even the most moronic person would know from now on who the real boss was.

It was no longer the Vice President of fools, but this super-secretary.

From colleagues to suddenly one being the well above in rank to the others was difficult to adjust to, but as she is going to be the future ‘chairman’s wife’, they were resigned to it. From a positive standpoint, to be the first to develop a good relationship with her would never be a bad thing.

Thankfully Wang YouZhen the super-secretary was not the type of new boss that came in like a jerk with an aim to clean house. Even if lots of people were seeing how she would do, she was in no hurry to destroy relationships with her coworkers—inviting complaints and resentment.

She was very easy to get along with even though she looked cold and reserved.

She was very easy to talk to, even though she was slightly aloof.

She would laugh! She would say, please, thank you, and I’m sorry! She would go with everyone to eat at the basement company cafeteria buffet!

Her figure was pliant. Her style was ordinary. Compared to those others with heavy backing, her actions moved people like she was an angel descending from the sky.

With such a well-known “default chairman’s wife” identity, she was considered unbelievably kind! Most people would take the opportunity to lord it over everyone, but not her—definitely a person to take note of!

Everyone secretly felt this way in their hearts.

And so this reasonable assumption of her notable role was quickly accepted by everyone in the Vice General Manager’s office.

====================================================================================================

“Ah, it’s noon”

The time passes very quickly. In the meeting that felt like it had just started a moment ago, the noon bells rang. Wang YouZhen closed the file in her hands, and her normal indifference changed. With a rare smile, she said:

“Alright, let’s continue the meeting after the lunch break. Everyone wants to go eat. Does anyone want to go to the company cafeteria?”

 

Oh wow, what an interesting thread. Actually, it gives me the perfect excuse to just throw a chapter here for the heck of it...

Title & Chapter: Daoist Gu, Book 1, Chapter 2
Author: Daoist Gu
Source Language: Chinese
Type: xiaoshuo
Extra Notes: Chapter 1 was translated here. Though I ended up losing interest in the series as a whole (MC is too ruthless), I still enjoy its pretty prose. As to why I'm posting it here? Why, because there's a thread for it, of course. uwu

Chapter 2: Being aware 500 years in advance

Spoiler

Legend has it that this world contained a luminous river that assisted the planet's orbit. With the use of the Spring & Autumn Cicada, one could go against its current to travel to the past. Rumors regarding this legend were varied and diverse. Many people didn't believe it, while others half-believed, half-doubted.

In the end, there were no true believers.

That was because each use of the Spring & Autumn Cicada required the offering of a life. One's entire body and cultivation status would be sacrificed as the energy to power the drive backwards. Such a cost was too much for people to bear--especially when they didn't even know if the cicada would work after losing their lives. Even if someone owned the Spring & Autumn Cicada, they wouldn't dare use it casually.

Suppose the legend was fake and nothing more than a hoax?

If Fang Yuan had any other choice, he wouldn't have used it so quickly, either. But right now, Fang Yuan firmly believed in the legend. That was because the reality before his eyes was impossible to refute. He really had been reborn!

"It's a pity I had to use a good Gu[1] like this. It cost me the strength of nine bulls and two tigers[2] to massacre hundreds of thousands of people, enough to incite the wrath of the Heavens and the anger of men, before I passed through those hardships to refine it..." Fang Yuan sighed in his heart. Though he had been reborn, the Spring & Autumn Cicada hadn't come back with him.

Humans are clever in tens of thousands of ways, Gu are the true refined essence of Heaven and Earth.

There was an infinite variety of fascinating Gu, almost countless in number. Some Gu could be used once or two to three times before they disappeared. Others could be used repeatedly, as long as the user didn't overdo it. Perhaps the Spring & Autumn Cicada was one of those Gu that would disappear after just one use.

"But even though it's not there anymore, I can refine another one. If I did it in my last life, why can't I do it in this one?" After his moment of regret, Fang Yuan couldn't help the burst of aspiration in his heart. He could accept the loss of the Spring & Autumn Cicada now that he'd been reborn. Beyond that, there was a treasure he owned that no one else had.

That was his 500 years of memories and experience.

Within his memories lay stores of precious secrets that were still undiscovered by the people of this time. Recollections of major events to come meant he could easily grasp the flow of history. There were images of people too, some of them his seniors, some of them handsome and talented youths, some who hadn't even been born yet. Beyond that was the hard-earned experience he'd gained from fighting over 500 years.

With these in hand, he could grasp the beginning and end. As long as he manipulated things deftly, he could travel about with ease as a formidable, elegant person of fearsome might. Perhaps he might even attain a higher plane of existence!

"But how should I manipulate things..." Fang Yuan was very logical as he quickly collected himself. Looking at the evening rain outside his window, he fell into thought.

He couldn't help but feel there were thousands of strands and loose ends. As time passed, his eyebrows began to furrow more and more tightly. 500 years of time was indeed long. Leaving aside the things that were fuzzy to him or forgotten memories, just the locations of secret treasure troves and fated meetings with celestial masters were numerous. But they were all either far away or fixed chances that opened up at certain points in time.

"The most important thing is still my cultivation foundation. Right now, my Primordial Sea isn't even open, nor have I stepped on the cultivation path of a Gu master. I'm a completely ordinary human! I'll have to start cultivation soon and quickly to increase my foundation so I can beat history and seize the lead. Then I'll get good results."

After all, many mysteries were impossible to understand without an ample cultivation base. They'd only end up being headaches. Right now, the first problem before Fang Yuan was cultivating.

He had to raise his foundation quickly. If he was as slow as his first life, he'd be too late.

"To quickly improve my cultivation, I'll need to borrow aid from my clan's resources. With my current situation, there's no way I can shuttle back and forth between these mountains. A simple wild boar would be enough to do me in. If I can reach the Third Level of Gu master cultivation, then I'll have the basic ability to protect myself. It'll be possible to travel afar under difficult conditions then."

After 500 years of experience cultivating in a demonic way, this Mt. Qingmao was really too small for him. The Ancient Moon Sect also felt more like a cage keeping him in. But at the same time it locked him in, it gave him a certain amount of security.

"Hmph, for now I'll stay in this cage and stir around a bit. After I reach the Third Level of Gu master, I'll leave this poverty-stricken place. Fortunately, tomorrow's the Broadening Horizons Ceremony. It won't be long afterwards that I can cultivate in the open as a Gu master." Recalling the Broadening Horizons Ceremony brought to surface old, buried memories from Fang Yuan's past. "Latent talent, is it..." He stared out the window and laughed coldly.

At the same time, a young boy lightly opened the door and walked inside.

"Big brother, why are you getting rained on by the window?"

This youth was thin and emaciated, slightly shorter than Fang Yang. Their looks were quite similar. When Fang Yuan turned to look at him, a complicated look flitted past his face.

"So it's you. My younger twin brother." He raised his eyebrows slightly before his face returned to its usual chilliness.

Fang Zheng lowered his head to stare at his toes, one of his habitual moves. "I saw that big brother's window was still open, so I wanted to close it in secret. Tomorrow's the Broadening Horizons Ceremony. It's so late, but why isn't big brother resting yet? If uncle and aunt knew, they'd worry."

He was used to Fang Yuan's coldness, since his brother had been like that since birth. Sometimes he'd think that all geniuses were different from ordinary people like this. Though he looked very much like his brother, he was an ordinary as an ant. They'd both been born from the same womb, so why were the Heavens so unfair? They gave big brother a genius intellect like a diamond while making him as average as a rock.

Everyone around them would refer to him as "Fang Yuan's little brother." Uncle and aunt would often tell him to learn from his brother more, as well. Sometimes, he'd look into a mirror and hate the sight of his own face! These thoughts had been circulating for many years, accumulating in the deepest recesses of his heart. They were like a large, heavy stone pressing upon his chest, making Fang Zheng's head bow lower and lower as he turned more and more reticent.

"Worried..." When Fang Yuan recalled his aunt and uncle, a silent sneer emerged from his heart. He remembered very clearly how the parents of this body had gone out on a clan mission and disappeared. He and his little brother became orphans when they were only three years old. Their aunt and uncle, under the pretense of becoming foster parents, openly and legally assumed control of their parents' inheritance before harshly treating him and his brother.

As a time traveler, he had to hide his capacities while biding his time, but the hardships of his previous life made Fang Yuan reveal a bit of extraordinary "talent." This so called talent was just a mature soul and intellect, as well as a few famous poems left behind for posterity. Petty tricks like these were enough to earn him a title of 'talented' and close attention from others. Against the pressure from outside, the young Fang Yuan chose to pretend to be cold and detached in order to protect himself. It'd also minimize the chances of exposing his secrets. Time passed, and soon his indifference became a matter of habit.

Like this, his aunt and uncle couldn't be severe towards him and his brother anymore. As they grew, their prospects seemed to improve, and their allowances increased as well. Still, this wasn't love but a type of investment. It was laughable that his little brother couldn't see through them to the truth. Not only was he hoodwinked by aunt and uncle, but he actually carried a grudge against him. He might seem obedient and cute, but Fang Yuan remembered. After Fang Zheng was discovered to have Grade A latent talent, he was personally nurtured by the clan. By then, all of his hidden jealousy and hate revealed themselves and he spent no little effort countering and creating difficulties to suppress his own big brother.

As for his own latent talent...heh, it was Grade C at most. Fate certainly loved to play pranks.

A pair of twins from the same womb yielded a Grade C older brother who had been hailed a genius for over a decade. Meanwhile, nobody had ever heard of his younger brother who would end up possessing Grade A latent talent.

The results of the Broadening Horizons Ceremony had left the clanspeople taken aback as well as throughly reversing the standing of the two brothers. The little brother was like a sleeping dragon that suddenly ascended to the Heavens, while the older brother was a young phoenix that fell to the ground. Afterwards, he was left to face his younger brother's schemes and his aunt and uncle's cold looks, as well as the disdain of his own clan.

Did he hate?

Fang Yuan did, in his first life. He hated that he didn't have enough latent talent, hated that his clan members were heartless, hated that Fate was unfair. But now he'd already lived through a 500-year lifetime and could reconsider things. There were no waves in his heart, nor was there any hate.

What was there to resent?

From another perspective, he could understand his little brother, aunt, and uncle. He could also understand the members of the righteous sects that had besieged him 500 years from now. The weak were the prey of the strong where survival was of the fittest. That was the essence of this world. Moreover, everyone had their own ambitions, competing against each other for a sliver of Heaven's secrets. It was perfectly understandable that they'd fight, oppress, and kill each other. 500 years of experience had long allowed him to see through everything. The only thing left in his heart was to seek a long life and the Great Way.

If anyone tried to stop him, no matter who they were, it'd be a case of life and death--they'd die, and he'd live. His aspirations were too vast now that he'd stepped on this path. He was ready to take on the entire world as his enemies while keeping aloof from all of them. Killing and stealing would be his choice.

That was his final conclusion after living through 500 years.

I'm not seeking revenge on my own terms. A demonic Way naturally has nothing like compromises. Thinking up to here, Fang Yuan couldn't help but smile. He faced his younger brother with a mild gaze and said, "You should go back."

Fang Zheng's heart inexplicably throbbed with terror, feeling that his brother's gaze was as sharp as ice on the edge of a blade, piercing through to his darkest, deepest heart. Under such scrutiny, he felt like he was standing naked in a snowfield with nowhere to hide his secrets.

"Then see you tomorrow, big brother," he didn't dare say any more. Fang Zheng slowly shut the door and retreated.

-o-
[1] Gu (蛊) – same Gu as Dao Master Gu. Actually the name of a legendary venomous insect. In this novel, various gu possess different abilities and powers.

[2] strength of nine bulls and two tigers (九牛二虎之力) - jiu niu er hu zhi li, a saying meaning 'tremendous strength/effort.'

 

I'm practicing my translating, but this short story is giving me a run for my money!
Title: Emperor and Wild Dog
Author: Twentine
Source language: Chinese
Type: short story
Extra notes: This is part 1. I'll work on the rest at some later date.

Spoiler

Everyone held their breath.
They forgot the cigars between their fingers, forgot the champagne in their grasp, forgot to walk, and forgot to make small talk.
They stood on the second floor, looking down towards the lobby with a superior attitude.
They watched how a wild dog climbed to the top of the hill.

[Wild Dog]
[Wild Dog]
[Wild Dog]

A wild dog lived at the bottom of the world as a being that anyone could step on.
In the magnificent lobby, there sat one long table. The dealer was dressed neatly in uniform and stood expressionlessly in the middle of the long table. He had a pair of fine and smooth hands; his fingers were slender and flexible. This pair of hands had earned a lot of money for NEKING. He was also the most popular dealer at NEKING. Whether it be managers or customers who were planning on playing a hand or two, he would be picked first. His dealing was accurate yet fast, like a machine.
But now, his dealing hand shook.
Although he tried to hide it, he couldn’t stop his palm from sweating copiously.
What was he going to do…………
He was very nervous.
What was he going to do……
He told himself he couldn’t exert any more pressure. If the cards were creased, he wouldn’t be able to handle having to take responsibility.
What was he going to do!?



To cheat or…..
This gambling event was high profile. He didn’t dare make any moves when dealing the starting hand. There were many experts amongst the customers on the second floor. If he was caught, NEKING would have his life. But….he’d played cards for ten years. He’d been a dealer at NEKING for over three years. He had a feel for the cards. This well-polished instinct repeated in his mind over and over----
He must not flip over the next card. He absolutely must not flip it---

“Hey.”
?


His eyes spun around in his head. When he saw the figure of a person to the right of the long table, his pupils dilated.
[Wild Dog]
[Wild Dog]
[Wild Dog]

That wild dog draped in human skin!

He was covered in dirt, wearing a shabby, musky, black leather jacket with his hair a bit messy. His eyes were bloodshot from two continuous nights of bitter competition. He was like a hungover tramp in the street, in dire straits.
Who could imagine that in just two days’ time, this dog that squeezed into NEKING by begging and eliciting pity yesterday while only carrying 20,000 dollars in his pocket had already beaten seventy gambler representatives sent by the manager? They were all beaten whether they drew bets or cheated. In the end, he forced the manager to have no alternative but to pitifully ask for help from the upper levels.
No one would have thought that the person who came out to meet him head on was actually NEKING’s big shot---Emperor.
Thinking of this, the dealer’s hand dampened even more with cold sweat.
He’d heard countless stories about Emperor—that God of gambling that came from the darkness. Stories of his glory, his success, and even that world-shaking defeat. That bloody game of chance had already become a legend.
Today, he sat on the left at the long table.
The dealer couldn’t even dare to look at his face.



“Hey.”
!
It’s that wild dog again! Why won’t you go die?!


“Deal.”
This wasn’t the dog’s voice.
The dealer turned his head. The man at the left of the long table held a cigar between his fingers.
After his sharp features were concealed by the hazy smoke, he couldn’t see him clearly. Yet, the dealer distinctly heard his voice--

“Deal.”
But…

“Ah.”
The dealer turned his head and saw the wild dog looking at him with droopy eyelids.
Go to Hell.
That dog smiled softly, as if responding to him.

“Lucky day, isn’t it?”

 

Umm, so this one suddenly became horror R18 BL so I won't be able to post it here. The rest will show up somewhere at some point.

The R-18 and horror was not tagged, and I didn't realize what the tag designating it was bl was. It will be translated anyways because I can't help making myself finish what I've started, no matter how scary I find it.

In case you were wondering, the author for this is the same author of Our Second Master, which is a sweet historical romance.

 

what kind of horror? psychological or gore one? or mix of it?

 

mild references to gore.

 

Title of Story: Hakai no Miko, Prologue
Author: Mumei Koubou
Source Language: JPN
Type: syosetsu

Did it because when I went to the link from here to the translation site, it seems to have disappeared. I liked the rhythm of it.

Spoiler: Creation

Prologue The Story of Creation

No magic, no skill, no job, no status, no harem, no I AM HE--MANNNN - None. In fact, the hero is the weakest character in the story.

It’s a story about how the main character, who was just a high school student, gets summoned to a different world out of the blues. Here he cries in sorrow, pukes his stomach empty and still, grits his teeth together as he leads his companions into battle; as a result of which, he is called the worst Exterminator the world has ever known.

* The Hero decides to fight in Episode 13.
* Hero first battle is from around Episode 17 – 19.

(by the Author, Mumei Koubou)

I. The Death of the God of Creation and the Birth of the Pantheon​

More Ancient than a thousand times multiplied by itself; a long ago past, ten thousand times multiplied by itself could not be further in the past than this.

In the Beginning, the Primordial God of Creation came.

It was a time when the world had not yet to take shape.

There was no one but Him, and there was nothing else besides Him.

He was alone.

He hoped that someday another being like him would come into existence. He waited patiently for that time. And though more time than a hundred times multiplied by itself had come and passed, nothing came into being besides himself.

The God of Creation could no longer bear the loneliness and thus He took his own life.

And thus as the life flowed from his body, were the Seven Gods born.

From the blood of His body was born the God of Fire.
From the tears He shed was born the Goddess of Water.
From the flesh of His body was born the Goddess of Earth.
From His final breath was born the God of Wind.
From His genitals was born the God of Beasts.
From His hair that covered his body was born the God of Birds.

And finally from His head was born the God of Humans.

II. The creation of the world and its people​

The God of Fire, first to be born, took the burning heart of the God of Creation and held it to the skies. There he created the sun to light the world, for the World was covered with Darkness. And now the World was filled with light, and the burning heat of the sun covered the World.
Then it was that the lizards and snakes that sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the God of Fire.
And when the God of Fire bestowed his powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Dinosaurians born.

And upon seeing how the World was about to be burned by the scorching Sun, the Goddess of Water did make the clouds to shutter the light that shone down and made the rain fall to calm the burning heat.
Then it was that the fishes sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the Goddess of Water.
And when the Goddess of Water bestowed her powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Mermen born.

And upon seeing how the World was about to be drowned in the flooding waters, the Goddess of Earth did make the Continents and the Mountains from the flesh of the Creator so it would not sink.
Then it was that the insects sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the Goddess of Earth.
And when the Goddess of Earth bestowed her powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Dwarves born.

And upon seeing how the World had hardened and strewn with craggy formations, the God of Wind did Breathe upon the earth and plowed it down.
Then it was that the grass and trees sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the God of Wind.
And when the God of Wind bestowed his powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Elves born.

And upon seeing how the World was about to be covered by the invasive vegetation, the God of Beasts did tear down the plants that grew in abundance.
Then it was that the beasts sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the God of Beasts.
And when the God of Beasts bestowed his powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Zoans born.

And upon seeing how the World was about to be buried beneath the corpse of the beasts, the God of Birds did scavenge the bodies.
Then it was that the birds sprang forth from the flesh of the Creator, singing praises to the God of Birds.
And when the God of Birds bestowed his powers upon some of these creatures, thus were the Harpians born.

And as He listened to all the living creatures raise their voices to praise their Gods, the God of Humans, did thus think.

“I, too, shall create a being that will praise and worship me just as my Elder siblings have done.”

And as He said this, thus were the Humans born.

However, the Humans thus born were without claws, without fangs, without wings or scales. They were weak things that would die too soon, too easy, being so weak.

“Ooohhh, why! Why did these weak beings come into existence?” lamented the God of Humans.

And seeing him thusly, the God of Fire did bestow upon the Humans the knowledge of Fire.
Still, the God of Humans did continue to lament.

And so next the Goddess of Water did bestow upon the Humans the knowledge of Water and taught them how to catch fish.
And still, the God of Humans did continue to lament.

And so it continued and the Goddess of Earth did teach them how to plow the land for their food, the God of Wind did teach them how to gain the fruits from the trees, the God of Beasts did teach them how to fight the beasts and the God of Birds did teach them how to drop a bird from the skies.

Finally, the God of Humans was satisfied and stopped his wailing and said onto his people, “Now you have the knowledge to use the fire, and catch the fish, and plow the earth, and pluck the fruit from the trees and hunt the beasts, and drop the birds from the skies. Go forth and greatly prosper and obtain all that there is in this world for yourselves.”

And thus did the God of Humans grant Humans the unquenchable greed to possess everything and anything in the World for themselves.

An excerpt from the creation mythology of the Serdius Continent.

 

Title of Story: The Irresponsible Captain Tyler, Vol 1, first few pages of chapter 1
Author: Yoshioka Taira
Source Language: JPN
Type: LN Fujimi Fantasy Bunko
Yamamoto drained me too much to continue but I didn't feel like throwing this away. And I didn't feel like watching old Star Trek reruns to get into a space novel mood to continue translating.

Spoiler: Irresponsible Translator

The Most Irresponsible Man in the Universe Series 1

The Irresponsible Captain Tyler

Table of Content
Chapter 1: Captain Irresponsible the First
Chapter 2: The Way of the Soldier
Chapter 3: How Can He Win So Much
Chapter 4: How Regrettable It Is
Chapter 5: So, Who Are You?
Chapter 6: Yo, So Howz About You Stop It Right Now
Chapter 7: Once A Fool, Always A Fool
Chapter 8: Yah, I Took Care of It
Chapter 9: And Now the Universe Is Safe

Until this novel was born

A Solider Life, You’ve Got It Made
Getting Space Sickness, A Captain You’ll Still be
Push, Push, Push the Missile Button, Non-Stop
It’ll Sink with the Enemies, All by Themselves
Seniority Gets Some Lip Service Only
When You Jump Out into Space
Ohh, There’ll be a Rainbow Across the Milky way

Songwriter: Anonymous, From a song popular among the Space Federation Army’s exploration ships

Chapter 1: Captain Irresponsible the First

If you will forgive me for my cliché - in the blackness of space.

There was a ship cruising in the darkness with the stars shining in its background.

It had to be a military ship as it was operating alone. The galactic region around this area had become much too dangerous for merchant ships or cruise ships to travel about without an escort. It’s been like this for several years now.

Galaxy R222, in a far off corner of the Milky Way

The stars viewed from the ship seem to move slower when you got so far out into the outer region of space. Indeed, the battleship, when it was cruising would travel at close to the highest speed possible, which is to say, they would move forward at 99 point - there were about 70 nines after decimal point there - percent the speed of light. Even so, if you were to observe any stars from the bridge of the ship, they would hardly seem to have moved at all. It seemed to the crew as if they were moving like snails, even though they were traveling at sub-light speeds.

However, although it may have seemed a boring trip, the ship, in reality, was heading towards danger each time it moved forward.


Yes, indeed.




Colonel Makoto Yamamoto of the Galactic Federation Army watched the stars as they slowly moved across the viewing screen on the bridge of the Aso, a NCC-3733 space cruiser. An eternity might have sounded swell but the reality was a dull, unchanging scenery. As far as the eye could see, all you could see, were the stars.

“The infinite universe, huh…” **(a nod to the anime Uchuu Senkan Yamato or Space Battleship Yamato – the Japanese words here are the same as the title of this movie’s song – I took some liberties and ‘borrowed’ the English name from Youtube. You might need some knowledge about pop culture of the time this story was written to get some of the jokes – or some of the humor will simply escape you. I always thought it was kind of funny since YAMAmoTO is the one saying this- although this is probably just me.)

Yamamoto hurriedly looked about the bridge to ensure no one had heard the words that had managed to slip out of his mouth. It might have been a bit unseemly for an Executive Officer to be so hurried. However, the embarrassment he felt at the triteness of his own comments were greater than what might be taken as an unseemly conduct. However, luckily for him, the crew members on the bridge were all true to their work and thus his worries were unneeded. He was also lucky that they were in a Class E level of normal readiness and the bridge crew population was kept at a minimum at best. Of course, if their Class level had been closer to military vigilance, such a slip of tongue probably wouldn’t have occurred in the first place.

Nevertheless, Yamamoto felt that in order to explain the righteousness of his thoughts, he needed some sort of reason with which to justify himself. Otherwise, why would he have felt compelled to repeat the words of some sci-fi animation movie some seventy centuries ago. After ten minutes of pondering, he came up with the following answer, which fulfilled his need to justify his actions.

“The infinity universe”

Indeed, it might be a cliché. It’s been said so many times it could be considered an old fashioned phrase. And while they may have been a myriad of people since the beginning of history who may have uttered this phrase, there were probably only a handful of people who could truly understand the true meaning of these words when they were actually saying it. To navigate the universe, getting into accidents, being in battles, to be victorious, to safely return home and have a glorious welcome back. Here, at this outpost on the farthest outreach of the cosmopolitan civilization of the great human race, built on the foundations of such experiences, with a mountain of debts to the many who have fallen to pave the way here. And even within the multitudes of those who live in these times of the space age, only a handful amongst those chosen ones had the privilege to truly understand the meanings of these words.

The infinity universe.

And if you were to think of it as such, you could not really say that it was a cheap cliché, now could you? If someone who had lived their entire life from birth to death, clinging to the surface of a planet had said it, it was inevitable that they would be ridiculed. But if someone like himself, who had graduated at the top of his class, the valedictorian of the Space Academy, a true honest-to-goodness officer of the Galactic Federation, said the same phrase in all honesty, it would be acceptable. Indeed, it could even be said the words would obtain their true value when spoke by one such as himself.

This was a conclusion that gave Yamamoto an immense sense of satisfaction. His pride, towering high above that of any mere mortal, which had been set to tumble from its apex and plunging into the pits of despair from his unintended slip of tongue had finally obtained a point of contentment where he could final let matters rest. If anyone else had heard his contemplations, indubitably they may think he was pointlessly complicated, but Major Makoto Yamamoto had been born into a famous military family renowned for producing countless generations of Generals and Admirals; military training was instilled in him from the time he was born. And thus, for him, it was logical debate of events, a normal yet life-threatening everyday conflict.

That’s right. I am an Elite. It is within my rights to claim this to be true. No one can deny this.

As he sat in his XO’s chair, Yamamoto’s face broke out in a huge grin at this thought.


However….


His grin soon turned into a grimace. His stomach contorted as it twitched uncontrollably as if in the midst of an epileptic seizure, his ulcer started to act up again; balls of sweat beaded on his forehead. His well-trained physique and mental training stood him well, as he hung on to his pride by a thread. He barely managed contained the growl that threatened to escape him as it was.

“It would mean HE’s also an Elite too….”

Although the continuous negativity of his train of thoughts could be said to have started by his slip of tongue, he could not help but curse the conclusion he had managed to reach.

“You mean to say that idiot of a man, that ignoramus, that Wishy-washy, Go-For-broke, No Regrets, Unapologetic, Flagrant, Unabashed, EGOTISTICAL MAN, is the SAME ELITE AS I AM!?”


He could withstand any other type of suffering. The boredom you endure during space travel was so trivial as to be insignificant. Fear of battle was something he had already overcome long before in the past. Truth be told, he was confident he could withstand the infernal hell of the planetary prison Muspelhelm or even the unimaginably agonizing torture of the Naga birdmen, said to be the most sadistic race in the universe. But to even think he might be - even superficially - the same type of military elite as THAT man, was an unbearable insult he felt incapable of enduring.


And although he, Yamamoto, would love to be able deny it, that man was also a member of the Galactic Federation Army. And he would love to be able to deny this truth even more than the previous fact - that man was on the same ship, breathing the same air as he, Yamamoto!


On top of all these things he’d love to be able to deny, was an even greater reality that he wanted to deny but was unable to defy. As a major, that man was one rank higher than Yamamoto, and he was also the only person on board the Aso that Yamamoto needed to act as subordinate as HE was the Commanding Officer. He would be more than willing to become an enemy captive IF ONLY he could exchange it for this undeniable agony that was his current situation. Indeed, he would love to throw away his rank of lieutenant colonel and become a grunt assigned to some frontier base with an unknown future, if all he could look forward to was being the XO for the Aso, the most pitiful position in the world! Countless were the times these thoughts occurred to him.

 

Shucks, do I have to edit the first post now?

My turn:

Title and Chapter: Clockwork Planet Volume 4 Chapter 1
Author: Yuu Kamiya and Tsubaki Himana
Language: Japanese
Type: Light Novel (Kodansha Ranobe Bunko)

Spoiler: It's...pretty long. Some swearing involved, as much as I'm unwilling to.

"--Terrible."

Marie muttered unhappily, and cut off the trunk of the 'Cylinder Train'.

The air was humid, and even after loosening the collar, it was still unpleasant. The sweaty blond hair felt disgusting when clinging onto the forehead, and the stench of waste was all the more nauseating.

Through the bottom of her sunglasses, Marie scanned the 'Platform'.

The floor was sticky due to some unidentifiable dirt, and the walls were covered with wanton graffitis and advertisement posters. The ceiling lights were dim, and the display board with the station’s name wiped out was dangling.

It appeared to be an abandoned station, and did not appear to be managed by anyone, but the 'platform' was filled with passengers who had just alighted from the 'Cylinder Train' that arrived.

"Absolutely horrible."

Marie again noted, removing her sunglasses.

Shown from beneath the black sunglasses was a thoroughly peeved face.

"It's to be expected for a trash city to have a trashy smell. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting! Even I'm getting pissed off, damn it--can't I just burn everything to the ground?"

"Hey hey. That's the first thing you say, Princess? This is the most popular tourist attraction in the world, you know? Can't you say some happier thoughts about this?"

A voice of comfort could be heard from behind, and Marie turned around.

Right in front of her eyes was Vermouth, giving a cold sneer.

His appearance was that of a smoking hot blonde babe of an automata--but the voice was that of a frivolous man. It was a strange existence of the expression, voice and gender being completely disoriented.

With much impatience, Marie said,

"Tourist attraction? More like a garbage dump, right? You can say it's a cockroach nest."

"--Maybe, but don't forget. To the world outside, we're pests living in the toilet--large ones too."

Vermouth said as he curled his smile.

Then he inhaled the air as though he was tasting the smoke, and exhaled.

"--Phew~this sewer-like air...feels nostalgic here, doesn't it?"

"More importantly."

Naoto Miura interrupted.

It seemed his ears were hurt by the 'Cylinder Train', for his face winced in pain.

"Can someone please tell me where are we already?"

"Anyway...you can change out of that disgusting outfit now."

Marie narrowed her eyes, and coldly stated so.

Naoto was wearing a local traditional dress made of layers of colorful cloths--a female outfit that could cover the curves of a body.

Naoto, who had a petite body and some adolescence in his voice, clearly looked like a girl.

Of course, that outfit was not his fetish--

"Listen up. You were the one who said my appearance was revealed, and I'm now wanted as an international terrorist--and also!!"

Naoto opened the paper he was holding with one hand, and shoved it before Marie.

"There's a report that we kicked up a fuss with the Thai navy port. So like I said, you're the one who told me to disguise myself and avoid attention, right?"

Naoto laid out a little English Tabloid.

Right in front of Marie's eyes was a photo of the Thai Navy docked at a port, and an eyecatching headline.

 

<strong>"Second Epsilon (Y) hijacked a boat! Thai Navy Port Devastated!"

&nbsp;

It was a report on the 'Second Epsilon', terrorists currently on the run--who had devastated the Thai navy base, fought off the local military and police, and terrorized the Thai people.

Marie slapped away the Tabloid that was pressed at her nose, and growled,

"I told you to disguise yourself--not dress yourself up as a girl!"

"Master Naoto, you do not have to mind the suggestions of the lowly peasants."

Interrupting with a refreshing chirp was the automata RyuZU.

She went forth to shield Naoto,

"Master Marie, it appears that you have an inferiority complex to Master Naoto with regards to the score of your appearance, to a point where it goes beyond gender, but it is understandable. Throwing a tantrum to escape from your inferiority complex is the final privilege of the vulgar, foolish ones. Before your final rights are taken away from you, please do not--"

"You're the one who got him to crossdress, okay! Half of those words can be directed at you, you piece of scrap metal!"

"--I say, Milady."

Interrupting was Halter, the cyborg.

This hulking figure bent down to get off the train and sighed, saying,

"That's enough already. Do you guys really want to be chatting on the 'Platform'?"

"Before you ask me, how about you ask that flawed automata who started a ruckus without a second thought? Do you want me to tell you how many times I took insults over the past two weeks?"

"Oh my. Are you trying to boast that you can count to more than ten? You may, you know? You can boast all you want--"

"Sixteen times!! Your! Fault! For causing so much trouble!"

Marie raised her voice, and glared at RyuZU.

It had been two weeks back since they were discovered in the Indian Ocean by the Thai Navy and fought back into the Navy port at Grid Phuket.

They chose to take the land route after that, and though they tried their best to maintain a low profile, and moved about quietly and discreetly, they were pursued by the police, military, and even the paparazzi.

Whenever a gun--or any suspicious item--was pointed at Naoto, as befitting of her nature as an automata, RyuZU would eliminate all malice, killing intents or hostilities.

And so--<strong>this</strong> ended up being the case.

Whenever they attracted some attention, there would be commotion.

Whenever there was commotion, the pursuers would figure out where they were.

And whenever they tried to evade their pursuers, they would continue to change destinations, and wander around.

They went from Chumphon to Bangkok, then Pataya, made a detour to Cambodia, returned to Thailand through Ubon Ratchathani, north to Khon Kaen, and Nong Khai.

They went through practically all the main cities of this country, went through the Laos border, and had finally arrived at this nameless station.

During this long escapade, they were discovered sixteen times.

If they would have been able to evade their pursuers, their journey through local transportation would have been no more than three days, yet they had spent five times that duration.

And as for the reason--

"Isn't it because you're always being so obvious?"

"...But Milady. Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to be moving around discreetly, isn't it?"

Halter coaxed, and Marie remained silent.

Even if Marie was completely left fuming, she had to admit that Halter's words were reasonable in this context.

Halter and Vermouth had no issues, and neither did Marie and Naoto, the latter in crossdress. They would not be spotted easily if they disguised as foreigners.

The issue however was RyuZU. Her alluring appearance and radiant, glittering silver hair would surely garner much attention.

Furthermore--

"Papa? Where, is this place?"

"Ohh, AnchoR, sorry~ that annoying shitty old hag--ah, I just said something bad for a kid's education--that blond landmine of a girl wouldn't speak, so papa can't answer you."

Naoto tenderly answered the automata with the appearance of an adolescent girl, AnchoR.

Her adorable appearance consisted of black irises flickering uneasily, round, tender cheeks, and pink lips. Coupling that with insufficient repair, she was swaying around.

Her appearance at this point garnered a desire of anyone around her to protect her.

As Halter had said, it was a little difficult for this group to move around discreetly--

"Those guys there! Stop giving AnchoR weird thoughts!"

"Mama, where is this place?"

AnchoR tilted her head in confusion, and the latter rid herself of her displeased look, beaming as she answered,

"Grid Chiang Mai, AnchoR."

"That's right, but Missy, you're the only one still using this place."

Vermouth interjected with a grin on his face.

Those words left Marie displeased as she pouted and argued back.

"International law-wise, this is Chiang Mai."

"Even though Thailand used to have such a place, they don't use this name in official documents. Right now, they seem to be calling it something more official."

Hearing this, Naoto asked in surprise,

"...? What is the common name?"

"'Paradise'."

Vermouth answered, and Naoto looked around with more skepticism.

"..You're referring to this torn down place of a station?"

"There's nothing that's not sold here, and nothing money can't buy. Arms, weapons, automata, illegal parts, drugs--and even humans or human rights. It's a haven for criminals, terrorists, armed forces, and radicals. Later on, someone called this place--"

With a smirk, Vermouth revealed the answer,

"The premier crime capital of the world--Grid Shangri-La."

&nbsp;

Chiang Mai--the city of Thailand that used to be second only to the capital in size.

This place used to be an inland city 1000 years ago, but when this planet was remodified into the Clockwork Planet, it gained sea access due to the reallocation of the grids, and had developed into a port.

But when Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Bangladesh gathered together to form a treaty between the five grids, Chiang Mai opposed it, and declared independence.

The apparent purpose was to reject the five grids from interfering with international trade, and was a pursuit of free trade.

But the truth was this: multiple illegal organizations and armed forces wanted to seize upon the instability of the government and create a massive black market.

And what they ended up creating was the capital of immorality, where all criminal acts were permitted.

In other words--

"--I don't know who named this place Grid Shangri-La. That's the fictitious paradise those of the later ages created, paradise for all the evil men in the world. How ironic."

Marie sarcastically shrugged as they exited the nameless station, and departed from the Thapae Gate--the city gate made of red bricks, and went off to the hotel.

Surrounded by the gates that were stated in fables to never ever be closed, the Central Plaza of Shangri-La was buzzing away.

And in the midst of the lingering heat, the pedestrians went to and fro.

There were people of various ethnic groups and genders, and cyborgs and automata not commonly seen in an ordinary city could be seen everywhere.

The surroundings were filled with bright parasols, awnings, advertisement posters, and many link wires.

And while visibility remained poor on the roads, the samlors, tuk-tuks, and songthaews skilfully weaved through. There was no segregation between the roads and the pedestrian sidewalks, and thus not surprising that accidents would occur, yet nobody minded.

"--So, well basically, this is an illegal city without the product of civilization that is law, a place that trafficks humans, drugs, smuggles weapons, illegal modifications, and even includes forbidden automata."

"Hey hey, have you forgotten the biggest selling point here? I don't know whether you don't want to mention it, so I'll say it, Missy."

Vermouth interrupted,

"This is the place that has everything from live body operations to modifications. Over here, gender and age can be treated. Pay money, and a wrinkled old man can become Cinderella overnight. The nearby stalls are all selling fresh organs for such operations."

"...You're joking right?"

Naoto looked repulsed as he said this, and Marie sighed, saying,

"Everything illegal, immoral you can think of in your mind--can all be found in all the gift shops here."

"Hahaha! There's only two things you can't buy here."

Vermouth closed an eye, saying,

"Kindness and conscience. Just so happened that these two things are really expensive and precious. If you can get them in, you might be able to sell them for a good price, you know?"

"Great idea--if there's a demand for it in the first place."

"I got a simple question...is that fine?"

Naoto was skeptical as to what purpose the police, 'military', and the ISS existed, and Marie scowled,

"Of course not...the ISS and the security management committee did think of all forms of measures except for military intervention. Any world summit organized will have mention of this city, and it's considered one of the world's crises."

"But you guys are the biggest issue right now, right?"

Marie ignored Vermouth's random interjection, and continued,

"But they haven't done anything to the people here--no they can't."

"...Why?"

Marie seemed reluctant in wanting to admit, and lazily raised a finger, answering,

"One, the Core Tower and clock towers--they are all thoroughly maintained here, more so than the 5 countries in the treaty."

"Eh...isn't this a lawless place?"

"This is a lawless place, no government, numerous mafias and armed forces are fighting for territories in this city instead...right now...the Core Tower and the twelve clock works are maintained by the strongest trio of organizations."

"...How do criminal organizations get that much technological prowess?"

"Technicians and researchers like such an environment--where everything, no matter how illegal it is, is allowed, and they gather here in large numbers."

On this Clockwork Planet, the biggest duty for a 'country' was to protect the city's functions.

If they neglected to maintain the Core Tower, it would result in a world crisis. To maintain the safety of the world, all stable countries or human rights could be compromised--that would be the true feelings of the international community at large.

And thus, any organization that was deemed by the international community to be a legitimate government would have to receive aid from the organizations under the ISS or the Meister Guild if they were deemed to lack the management capabilities. If they refused, they would be invaded through military might, and forced to accept management.

"It doesn't just apply to human talent alone. No matter the economic and trade sanctions the ISS implement on them, this city remains unaffected as it relies on money laundering and black market deals. The borders of the 5 countries under the treaty have lots of openings."

"Not only that. If they dare to invade forcefully, they'll get the thugs here revolting, and who knows how much damage to the Core Tower and the surrounding countries will be inflicted--the enterprises and minor countries using this place as a hotbed for money laundering use this logic to apply pressure back on them."

"So you mean…"

"Savvy? Anything you can get, means that the importers, sellers and buyers are present."

Vermouth closed an eye and smirked, while Naoto could not help but look up at the sky.

And then, he buried his face into his palms, sighing hard,

"Politics are really beyond comprehension…"

"Opinions may vary, but I don't hate this city. An idiotic question from the intellectuals, after having studied until the very end, on 'why can't we kill' can be easily answered here."

Vermouth cackled sarcastically.

"This city has no police, lawyers, and nobody will be negotiating slowly. There's nothing unforgivable in this city, so the rules are simple--<strong>overdo it, and you get killed</strong> All the troublesome parts can be omitted with bullets. It seems ironic, but it's because it's a lawless place that in a certain sense, a strict security can be maintained here. I prefer a country where even killing is not a crime compared to a country in which only only needs capable lawyers."

"So basically, it's a place for degenerate barbarians."

Marie spitefully concluded.

"Decadent! Evil! Compromising! Hypocritical! Liars! I feel like this is a city where every shitty thing I hate about this place is stuff here into a pot. Argh, I hate this place. I feel like I'll be stained by this stench. Don't you think this city should just be erased? I had enough of this. How about we ignore the management ability stuff and just sink this city to clean things up?"

"Milady, I know you're kidding, but sinking a city based on your own intents is definitely an immoral thing."

Halter reluctantly lowered his head as he muttered, and Vermouth nodded away.

"Right right. You have to know that there's supply only when there's demand. Well, saying that you want to eliminate anything you don't understand, that you don't like really does sound like something a radical terrorist will do."

"Shut up! There's a limit to everything!"

A peeved Marie clicked her tongue in annoyance.

However, the smile suddenly vanished from Vermouth's face.

"...Listen Missy. I'll honestly advise you this. I'll give you some money, and you can spend the night with a male prostitute you like. Do some drugs, get high, and cry as you piss everywhere, and you'll understand through your vagina that humans are just a kind of beast, you know?"

"Continue with this really cold joke, and I'm going to split you up into screws and sell you away."

Marie continued with a chilling warning.

But Vermouth continued to give a serious look, and sighed, saying,

"Get this clear. If I was kidding, I would have said that I'm willing to be your partner. I never did, so I hope that you'll consider how serious I am."

"If you were joking, that was crude. If you're serious, that's really crude."

"I really have been thinking about this for a while, but you have too much of a cleanliness streak. Normally, the ladies are more acceptable to dirty talk than men, you know? You being so overly resistant to it means…"

"...What?"

"A resisting reaction--right? How about I introduce you to a shop my female colleague called Strega was addicted to? Relax, even a cold-hearted virgin is guaranteed to become a pro after being fucked cleanly--"

"I'll be kind to remind you again, Vermouth."

Marie slowly cut him off, and gave a genial smile,

"--Shut up. Or I'll kill you."

Vermouth could sniff out real killing intent from those words--and that did not seem to be all, then gave up as he raised his hands.

Marie snorted, and looked away from Vermouth,

Then, he turned to RyuZU, asking,

"Speaking of which, you hardly showed any reaction."

"--Yes? Humans like you who are comparable to ants, though this comparison will get protests from the ants, though they are smart to put on clothes, or not, but your inner hearts will never change. I do firmly believe that those with primitive self-awareness and who stay true to themselves are a lot stronger than those foolish, inapt people who assume themselves to be cultured, so I am neither displeased nor impressed by this--as long as Master Naoto does not awaken to such primate evils."

"Eh? Me? What did you say I'll have for the masses of proteins and noise?"

"Relax, brat. This city can satisfy such desires too. The premier sex dolls in the world are equipped with outstanding techniques no living human can actually do. Are you interested?"

"Eh!?"

Naoto froze.

Obviously he had a moment of some imagination, and shook his head flusteredly,

"--No-no need for that. It's a little...erm, I should say that I-I'm underaged."

"Relax, in this city, being underaged is nothing. You can climb out between your mama's legs and go straight to a brothel, you know?"

"No, but…"

"--Master Naoto?"

"Hiii!"

RyuZU spoke with a terrifyingly chilling voice, and Naoto gasped, his back frozen in fear.

"I-I don't have such thoughts! Not! At! All! I don't have any thoughts of 'since you said it, I wanna try' or any interests in such dangerous things!"

"Really? I thought so."

Saying that, RyuZU embraced Naoto from behind.

The white silky hands of hers were caressing Naoto's cheeks like a snake ensnaring its prey.

"--Speaking of which, Master Naoto, being young and healthy is one of your few good points, but I do have to solemnly advise you that as the apex of the few intelligent beings on this planet, easily being influenced by adolescent impulses is a self-destructive act. If you really cannot control your own heart, I do suggest some form of external treatment to crush the cause--what do you think?"

RyuZU said, making an action before Naoto that indicated she wanted to crush <strong>a certain something</strong> as she grabbed it.

"Hii, I don't think there's a need for that!"

"I suppose? --You hope not to have it, right?"

RyuZU again affirmed, and slowly let go of Naoto.

Then, she shot a spiteful glare at Vermouth,

“This is also directed to that piece of scrap metal too. If you continue to tempt Master Naoto with such racy words, I shall deem you an item unfit to keep and eliminate you. Be warned.”

“Okay okay, it's my fault. Forgive me.”

Vermouth raised his hands up, and apologized.

"Sp-speaking of which...is that fine?"

Naoto said, trying to change the topic.

"That--you mean the guys who were watching us for quite a while?"

Marie said, and stealthily scanned the surroundings.

One, two, three--the passer-by from before, the chauffeur who drove slowly towards them, the stall attendants selling juice. If one paid any attention, it was obvious that some people were clearly paying attention to this place.

Even Marie, who was not a trained professional, noticed so many people. If it was from the perspective of a professional well adept with this form of work, one had to wonder how many eyes there were…

RyuZU shot an icy expression, saying,

"If they do annoy your ears, shall I eliminate them?"

"Leave them."

The one stopping them was Halter.

He probably had noticed the surveillance from all directions, but remained calm and nonchalant, walking on as he said,

"It's to be expected that they would have surveillance on the ones who sank Grid Tokyo. We don't have to kick up a fuss for no reason."

Naoto tilted his head in wonder, asking,

"In that case, we should have disguised ourselves, right?"

"No, there's no need. The organizations here aren't dumb. They won't give the 'military' and police of the surrounding countries any excuse to intrude this Shangri-La."

Halter's words left Vermouth nodding in agreement,

"Right right. We just need to play nice, and everyone will act like they don't know anything, and nobody wants to suffer and ruin this camaraderie just to arrest us."

"But if we start any unnecessary scuffle--selling us out to the neighboring countries can be considered a fine outcome."

Halter sighed as he said this, and Marie asked skeptically,

"...There are people who dare to do anything to us?”

<em>Those with their sources would have noticed--they had 2 Initial-Y series, and technicians capable of dominating an entire town--did they really want to poke at such a fighting ability?</em>

But Halter and Vermouth looked at each other, and shrugged.

"Hey hey hey, Missy, you really don't know anything about the world."

"I don't really want to say this, but Milady, you've been getting a little cocky recently, haven't you?"

With the surrounding stereo denying her, Marie was clearly furious.

"What? The criminal organizations here are that terrifying?"

Vermouth did not answer, and in turn, turned to RyuZU to ask,

"I got a question Miss automata. How many Initial-Y series can you beat?"

"If you are asking if I can beat them--my answer is, 'all' of them."

RyuZU answered heartily.

"To go to the extreme, even if my opponent is AnchoR, as long as I strike first with 'Mute Scream', none of them can do anything."

"I see. So what happens if you can't? If you fight head on, how many of them can't you beat?"

"...Capabilities-wise, none of my little sisters can surpass me, but,"

RyuZU stated beforehand, and continued,

"--I will say 'all' of them. Amongst the Initial-Y series, I am humbly the weakest of them all."

This was the issue with 'Mute Scream'.

Once RyuZU got into Dual Time, even the strongest of them all, AnchoR could not do anything.

Before AnchoR could get into her 'Bloody Murder', RyuZU just needed to sever everything in the still world. When that happened, even if she was completely on guard, she could not do anything.

But if it was a frontal attack, as RyuZU said--she was the weakest of the Initial Y series.

Vermouth nodded, and with a grin, looked at Marie.

"--That's what she said. Worst case scenario, if another of the Initial-Y ends up being brainwashed like this pipsqueak and attacks again, do you think you can let down your guard?"

"...You mean 'Ω's clutches might reach us here?"

"Is there a reason not to assume the case?"

"That's one way to put it."

Halter noted sharply.

"If they really wanted to eliminate us, stuff like military force and skills don't matter--<strong>they have a lot of means</strong>."

His tone was calm, not appearing to be intimidating or awe-inspiring. It was the the tone of a teacher genially reminding some inattentive students.

Those words alone had enough irrefutable gravity.

Seeing how the mood soured, Naoto sighed, and said,

"Anyway--this place sounds dangerous. Is it really safe?"

"Relax--" Halter said, and carried the luggage on his back again.

"We just need to be good customers, and they won't do anything. However, there'll be strict surveillance, and those under them might try something hard--well, they aren't that trigger-happy, and won't kick up a fuss just because we deal with those crazy fools who are sent out as bait."

"Most importantly, we're one of them...there's a whole bunch of actual terrorists here. At this point, they won't mind a few more. Also--"

Vermouth paused, and continued,

"They're strangely professional enough--to have workshops in their hotels."

&nbsp;

Pandora's Inn could be considered a relatively fine hotel.

At the very least, the building was beautiful enough to be somewhat outstanding in the streets of Shangri-La.

It was no match for the five-star hotels of the advanced countries, but certainly passable for a city hotel owned by criminals.

They entered, and the first floor was the restaurant, and the reception counter that was shared.

"I want a room with a workshop in it--best if it's next to the emergency staircase."

Halter noted, and the young, Asian receptionist led them to their room.

The room fit their demand, right next to the emergency staircase, with a workshop attached. It was exceptionally wide, the furbishing completely.

"How about it, Milady, any problems?"

"Good enough."

In response to Halter's voice, Marie, having checked on the workshop equipment, briefly replied.

The machinery and work facilities were considered old, but they were all the latest models of the previous generation. Any better, and they would have to either head to a university research lab, or the research lab of a science research center.

Halter nodded, giving the receptionist the hotel lodging fees and a handsome tip, before shooing her out out.

&nbsp;

The receptionist looked gleeful as she left, and Marie complained,

"--So? Halter? Mind explaining?"

"Explain what?"

Upon hearing the calm response from Halter, Marie glared up,

"Do I have to say it?"

"No idea."

"Okay, then I'll tell you. Get this straight."

She inhaled,

"WHY! AM! I! LIVING! IN! THE! SAME! ROOM! AS! NAOTO------!!!????"

Marie's growl echoed through the air of the room.

And beside her, RyuZU too spoke with a heinous look.

"It is utterly regrettable that I have to agree with this Master Marie, but I will have you explain. However, no matter how much you do explain this, I will simply determine it as a suicidal action and a waste of effort."

Halter took on the icy glares from both the blond girl and the silver hair automata, and sighed,

"Well…"

Picking his words wisely, he opened the window of the room.

Humid winds blew in from the outside. That alone caused the stagnant air in the room to feel a lot better. Halter looked down at the polluted streets of Grid Shangri-La, and said,

"First--Milady, you wish to live together with AnchoR, right?"

Marie nodded.

"Yes, right. Of course. I have to repair her."

"And Naoto definitely wants to be in the same room as RyuZU and AnchoR."

"Of course."

"Certainly."

Naoto and RyuZU nodded, and Halter nodded back in agreement, responding,

"AnchoR can't leave a certain distance from Naoto--and she said, I want papa and mama to be together."

AnchoR nodded firmly."

"We can live in this hotel for a long time, here's a room with a workshop, and there's only one of these at every level--so, any other ideas?"

"Yeah, of course there is. We can just ignore Naoto's nonsense and have me live in the same room as AnchoR, right?"

"Yes, certainly there is a way. We can quickly ignore Master Marie's sleep talk and fulfill Master Naoto's request."

"--And if I refuse?"

"I'll kill you, you know?"

"Perhaps I should dissect you?"

"...I see. Now, I know this is shocking, but I don't want to die yet."

Saying that, Halter turned around. He pointed his chin at Vermouth, who was in a corner of the room, grinning away, saying,

"Just to say that I have no choice here, but I'm living next door with this kid. You can move over here if you're jealous."

"Hey hey hey, whatcha mean, boss~ Trying to woo me out? My body now can fit your request--"

"Kid, if you don't want to be slaughtered, then shut up."

Vermouth's cheeky words caused Halter to hiss back.

On the other hand, Marie pouted unhappily,

"But...there's only one bed in this room, you now?"

It was a fact. This was supposed to be room for two, but though the room was large, the living quarters was crammed, probably because of the workshop--or the two-person bed that was enlarged for no reason.

Halter shrugged, saying,

"No point trying to protest to me. There's no other room. What else can we do?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"You're no longer kids. You can discuss on where you want to sleep by yourself now. Remember to act civilized."

Once he was done, Halter left the room with Vermouth.

&nbsp;

Marie was left behind, and vengefully glared at the door, but she finally gave up, sighing as she lowered her shoulders.

"...Well, never mind."

Even if she did continue with her childish complaints, the number of beds would not increase.

Most importantly, she was physically and mentally worn out.

She had Halter and RyuZU guarding her, but during the time they escaped everywhere, she never did manage to sleep well.

At this point, the room seemed decent, and once she put down her dusty luggage and saw the soft bed, her urge to sleep like a dropped sack of dirt overwhelmed her.

“Ahh goodness...! I'm taking a shower first. I just feel really tired. Once I'm done, I'm going to sleep.”

Naoto blinked, and said in surprise,

“--Eh? Now? It's not even noon. Well, I'm tired too though.”

“Anyway, it's more convenient to wait till night before we move.”

Naoto looked surprised, and Marie raised a finger, saying,

“Need me to guess what you're thinking--they explained a lot, but this city does seem peaceful. Right?”

“Well...at the very least, it doesn't look too different from the previous cities we've been to.”

The humidity and heat within, the dusty streets, and the bright, vibrant crowds.

If those were the only factors considered, it did seem that there was not too much of a difference from the Southeast Asian cities they passed by.

But at this moment.

&nbsp;

--Gunshots rang.

&nbsp;

Even without Naoto 's superpowerful hearing, it was obvious that it was a sharp gunshot.

“What the...hey, that was?”

Naoto flusteredly looked outside the window, and Marie nonchalantly told him,

“Just a firework.”

“That's impossible!? That was a gunshot just now, wasn't it?”

“In this city, gunshots are just like fireworks. Don't worry if you hear any gunshots out there, tell me if you hear <strong>any explosions</strong> instead.”

“No, Marie. Why are you still able to remain so calm...?”

“Fuu...I'll be kind enough to tell you something, Naoto.”

Saying that, Marie sighed.

Her eyes wavered in the air, her emerald eyes showing the scenery afar.

“--Basically, while there are exceptions like Japan, the places the Meister Guild deploy to can be classified into two types.”

She sighed.

“The poor areas that are unable to maintain the city's functions alone--or warring areas that nobody maintains. Try being in a warzone, working for two to three days straight without sleep? Like it's possible to worry about a few gunshots anymore.”

<em>However, there aren't as many corrupted places as this city here--</em>Marie concluded.

She threw her luggage aside, removed her summer coat, and placed it on the hangar.

She removed her tie, and was about to undo the buttons of her shirt, only to warn Naoto,

“Just to remind you, if you dare to look here, I'll kill you.”

“Are you an idiot? You can hope that there'll be people looking at you. Of course I won't be looking. Most importantly, I have RyuZU--”

“Please, do relax.”

RyuZU nodded with an absolutely frosty look.

“If Master Naoto is about to turn his head around, I shall quickly turn his head back to the proper position.”

“Eh?”

Upon hearing RyuZU's reaction, Naoto was left speechless, shocked by this, and Marie in turn tilted her head in confusion, asking,

“It's rare of you to be like this, RyuZU. What winds blew by today?”

“No--certainly, I cannot allow a filthy thing like a naked body filled with the deficiencies and regret of yours to sully Master Naoto's eyes, Master Marie.”

“Oh, I see.”

Marie's temples were bulging in frustration.

And on the other hand, Naoto was jumping--

“--Alright, some jealousy! You see AnchoR!? That's the face of a wife being wary of her husband meeting a mistress--!!”

“...So sister can show such an expression after all...”

AnchoR muttered slightly.

The cold expression from the little sister left RyuZU frowning,

“Master Naoto, I hope you do not have too much misunderstanding about this, for this isn't that kind of vulgar feeling, but a consciousness of danger befitting of something assisting the master--”

“Oh oh, I see, I see. I get it~!”

“...What exactly is this? The simulation of actions has been resulting in errors of unknown causes. If I have to barely express it in words, it is that I simply feel 'frustrated'.”

Naoto grinned away, clearly showing his delight, and this ruined RyuZU's mood even further.

<em>--These guys are going to be idiots forever.</em> Marie muttered.

She removed her shirt, undid the buckle of her culotte pants, and said,

“AnchoR? You'll be infected with idiocy if you keep looking at them. Come here and shower with mama. Mama will help you out.”

“Ah, yes.”

At that moment, Naoto suddenly turned his head around.

“Wait, Marie! Don't strip Marie without my approval!”

Right in front of him was AnchoR, whose arms were raised as she was halfway through with removing her clothes--and Marie, who was only wearing her underwear, showing the tender skin of a girl.

“--Waaaahhh!? Don't look here!”

“Master Naoto.”

“Ah--no, wait, RyuZU, that was--gulps.”

RyuZU's hands clamped Naoto's face, pulling it back.

And a thoroughly redfaced Marie swung a roundhouse kick at the back of his head.

&nbsp;

Marie and AnchoR were already done with their shower by the time Naoto woke up again.

He rubbed the aching neck and back of the head, and was about to enter, but RyuZU simply followed in.

She then said,

"Please have a seat, and remove your clothes."

Naoto did not resist. He obediently sat by the edge of the bathtub, and removed his female clothing--the clothes used for his disguise, revealing his upper body.

His body beneath the clothes was covered in bandages. The entire back, starting from the right shoulder to the right upper arm, was covered in protective gauze, and wrapped with medicinal tape and bandages.

RyuZU carefully removed those bandages one by one.

--Below them were severe burn wounds.

They were scars of melted skin and burnt flesh. The back was a dark red slab, gut-wrenching to anyone who saw it. It was the injury Naoto had suffered when he carried RyuZU around in Akihabara.

Medicinal nanomachines were already injected to prevent pus from developing and boost the healing, but…

RyuZU remained silent, putting her finger on the burn on his back.

Below the treated skin formed by the nanomachines, the internal bits still remained corroded. Logically, touching it slightly would be painful, itchy, and unbearable, but Naoto never grunted in the slightest.

--This wound would never heal.

At the very least, there was no way it could regrow to its original appearance unless a skin graft or artificial skin was used.

Having made contact with an 'object' giving off enough heat to melt materials, he was lucky that he did not die, and it was almost a miracle that he was not crippled.

Naoto solemnly spoke,

"No need to worry."

"...I cannot agree to that."

"It isn't your fault, RyuZU, I wanted to do it. So--"

"No."

RyuZU grabbed Naoto's head roughly, and stuffed it into the basin.

<em>Woah!?</em>She ignored Naoto's scream, and switched the shower on. She added shampoo to the warm water, and rubbed Naoto's hair,

“Hey, RyuZU--”

“To be honest, you do stink.”

“Huh?”

“The burn is one thing, but my style will be affected if my master is to reek of sewage.”

“You're kidding, I smell like the sewers?”

Naoto was stunned speechless, his body limp.

Using that opportunity, RyuZU wiped Naoto's body with a clean towel that was soaked in hot water. While she was thorough in disinfecting him, her actions were delicate and tender.

Then, she applied antiseptic cream onto the wounds, applied new gauze, and applied tape and bandages to its original position.

“--Done? Do I smell like the sewers now?”

Naoto, who endured the pain within him, asked, and RyuZU nodded.

“Yes. While the sewage stench is a different matter, the stench that is so ingrained upon you is a lost cause, Master Naoto. I suppose I have already done the bare minimum in doing so.”

“Really? Then, switch over. RyuZU. Strip.”

...Oh? RyuZU tilted her head skeptically, and after a moment, nodded.

"I do earnestly feel embarrassed for not noticing. Master Naoto, you weren't able to relieve your primitive impulses, and seeing how much you accumulated, with only the two of us together, and we don't have to worry about AnchoR's eyes--is that how it is?"

"No."

Naoto simply replied, and had RyuZU turn her back on him before she removed her clothes that were made of gear fibers, bringing out a flat can from the bathtub.

There were the words 'Repair Kit (Cream Type)' written on it in English.

It was an item that repaired artificial skin.

The artificial skin used by hi-specs automata was made of shape-memory polymers that would automatically repair damage, to a certain extent. If there was too much damage however, the insufficient nanogears would have to be replaced.

"Yaa, finally able to repair RyuZU's artificial skin. This hotel's really great to have such a quality product in an attached workshop. As to be expected of the place Uncle Halter chose."

Naoto snorted away, opening the lid of the repair kit.

He dug out the creamy white repair cream, and applied it to the skin before him.

<em>--Ever since she awoke in Kyoto, I had her do all sorts of crazy things for no reason. I got Marie to help repair every time, but the little flaws on her artificial skin get really obvious when observed in places with enough light.</em>

<em>I should have her be careful with this, or rather, I need to--</em>so Naoto thought.

He drew a circle with his finger, and spread the repair cream gently and carefully. There was no need to exert excessive pressure. Once the cream was fully spread, he simply needed to rub it in with his palms to boost the absorption.

The creamy white repair kit became transparent and seeped in, showing elastic, beautiful skin, and it was done. The absolute touch and quality that was no inferior to humans--

"Master Naoto, do kindly explain this impudence."

RyuZU suddenly spoke with displeasure, and Naoto was stunned.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"It is wonderful that it made you happy, but to show no reaction when you had me strip is a little--no, rather perplexing. It is impossible for my build to have any flaws, so I have to wonder if you are impotent--in the male functions?"

RyuZU's words caused Naoto to widened his eyes, yelling,

"You're mistaken!!"

"But the signs do indicate this...you call me your bride, but have never vented your vulgar feelings upon me. Did I hear that I can get anything in this city? I suppose I need to consider not only how to repair the burns, but also the male functions--"

"Wait, Miss RyuZU! You know how much I have had to endure here…!?"

&nbsp;

<em>--They're noisy.</em>

Marie grumbled in her heart, clicking her tongue loudly.

She could clearly hear the ruckus from the bathroom. Even without Naoto's hearing, Marie could understand the meaning behind those words.

The wife complained that the husband never did anything despite having her strip, while the husband was worried about the child--AnchoR.

Personally, Marie had no interest in talks about love or lover squabbles--or perhaps it should be said that she never paid any heed to them, but even she was thinking,

<em>You two can keep this up for the rest of your life--best to a place I don't know of.</em>

AnchoR, tired of hearing the tongue clicking, looked a little uneasy as she lifted her eyes.

"--Mama?"

"Ahh! Don't worry about it. Alright, just stay still, okay?"

Marie frantically showed a smile, and focused on her work.

Right before her--on the work desk, a stark naked AnchoR was lying on it.

What Marie was doing was the same as Naoto in the bathroom--repairing the artificial skin.

However, the difference between them was that unlike RyuZU's case, it was not something that could be settled simply by applying repair cream. It was more akin to a graft, a swap of artificial skin.

The artificial skin of an automata had two functions.

To encase, and paint.

To be honest, the paint part was not exactly necessary--but if she said so, Naoto would have gone berserk. Applying paint on the artificial skin however was basically a matter of aesthetics.

And a more radical statement would be that, if that was the case, it might not be a necessity.

The problem however was the external functions.

Automatas and cyborg had complicated movements within them, so naturally, the moveable parts--the hands and feet, head and waist, the joints, would certainly be exposed.

To avoid them from being exposed, the only option would be to add armor to the movable parts, which would drastically limit the movement range--and obstruct natural movement.

But if they were left exposed, it meant that dust or sand or other miniscule bits might have a chance to seep in. For the moments that required the use of nanosized parts, these bits would be enough to cause malfunction.

Thus, there was a need for protection, with--a sturdy yet elastic artificial skin.

As the artificial skin was an important part, Marie had no intention of opposing Naoto while he was earnest in wanting to repair RyuZU and AnchoR's skin--though his motivations were somewhat off.

AnchoR especially was already at a stage where she could barely move after being pieced together. Marie definitely did not hope for her to malfunction again,

However--

Looking down at AnchoR, who was lying on the desk, Marie sighed.

The number of materials that could handle the specifications of automata of AnchoR and RyuZU's level--were rather limited.

The quality of such skin materials was not something that could be easily bought at a typical sales, was expensive and rare, and required specialized knowledge in handling.

--However, there was such stuff equipped in this rented workshop.

In other words, there were people with demand for such stuff--the backalley technicians who had to deal with illegal hi-specs cyborgs or automata would be the main customers here.

It was infuriating, but it was to be expected of the crime city.

...But, in that case.

Marie quietly muttered.

They might be able to find the necessary parts required in this city.

Not only the artificial skin, every single part that could withstand the specifications of the Initial-Y series were rare, hard to obtain.

And parts for the child-sized ones like AnchoR were in turn much harder to obtain.

It was already difficult to shrink automata or cyborgs.

For they were already shrank down to 'human size'. To replicate such a complicated construct through the use of clockwork technology was such an onerous matter.

Thus, to create a child-sized automata or cyborg, some power output or capabilities would have to be sacrificed.

Normally speaking, there was no need to create one of child size, but the reasons and necessity--

"For disguise work, or that he's just an unabashed pervert--anyway, he's a criminal either way."

"Mama…?"

"It's nothing. Just talking to myself."

&nbsp;

Naoto and RyuZU, Marie and AnchoR were done with what they set out to do, and were about to go to sleep--but another squabble occurred.

Marie was standing in the middle of the room.

Naoto was facing her, seated at the sofa several meters in front of her.

Marie pointed at the only large bed in the room--

“They say that males and females sleep separately at age 7, right? We have this bed after all.”

She said with much seriousness.

But Naoto spoke with an absolutely frosty look in his eyes,

“I say, I don't know what you're being wary of...no, I can guess what you're trying to say, but I don't know why you're so concerned about me.”

The girl in her teenage years was to share the bed with a boy of similar age--this was understandable.

And logically thinking, that should be the case.

However, the problem was that Naoto himself had no interest in humans with physical flesh, and declared himself to be RyuZU's husband. In other words, he was already married.

Furthermore--and this was a possibility so unlikely to be obtained even if the universe was turned upside down, if Naoto was to really try to violate Marie, surely it was known that RyuZU would stop him with violence nobody else on this world could accomplish.

No, considering that Marie had combat ability to easily KO a trained soldier, it might be Naoto whose life was in danger instead--!!

RyuZU narrowed her eyes ferociously, saying,

“...Master Marie? It is the female's instinct to mate with the outstanding males and produce the superior genes, so it is to be expected that you are concerned with the most outstanding individual on this world--Master Naoto in this case...however, may you please know your place? If not, I will have to propose a most basic method, and that is--that the dead does not need a bed, no?”

“Get this clear...I swear to God and my dead mother that I never ever thought of this guy as someone of the opposite gender, and never will I from now on. Even if the universe turns upside down, that will be impossible.”

“Then there's no problems, right? I don't have any interest in meat slabs that have no clockwork movements inside them either.”

Naoto shrugged, saying that, and Marie told him with a serious look,

“Get this clear, Naoto, this is what I really think of you--is that you're really disgusting. That's all, you understand?”

“Seriously...do you think I won't be hurt by anything you say?”

“You pervert, you treat people as slabs of meat. It's a pity, so it's to be expected that I call you that, right?”

Both of them glared at each other, and sighed in unison. Putting a hand on his forehead, Naoto said,

“...Well whatever. I only agreed to it begrudgingly because of AnchoR, but thinking about it, it's primitive to be sleeping with a slab of meat, so much that I'm wondering if my sanity is intact.”

RyuZU let out a cheerful smile.

“Then it seems to be settled. Good. Master Naoto, please sleep on the bed. Meat slabs do not require any beds, I suppose, so I presume we can simply look for a place to hang them”

“So what you're saying is that automatas need the bed...?”

“..Puah, AnchoR wants to sleep...”

“Ahh, it's okay AnchoR~ come here, come here♪”

A tired looking AnchoR was pulled by Marie by the hand, looking flustered.

And on the other hand, RyuZU sat down at an end of the sofa, patting her thighs, saying,

“Master Naoto, let us have a change of plans. It is impossible to sleep on the bed used by a slab of meat like that unless it is disinfected and decontaminated. Thus, you may use my thighs as a makeshift--”

“What makeshift? This upgrades the room to a honeymoon suite!”

Naoto laid down on the long sofa without hesitation, his head resting on RyuZU's thighs.

“--But you're okay with that, RyuZU?”

“Automatas don't need sleep, and do not fatigue, so certainly, it is fine.”

RyuZU paused, and continued,

"...if not for the recalibration in repairing AnchoR's limbs that resulted in a burden on the artificial intelligence, AnchoR would not require optimization (sleep)..."

"Yuu…"

AnchoR, tucked between Naoto and Marie, rubbed her eyes, and looked back and forth between the duo, asking,

"Both of you...can't, sleep together…?"

"...E-even if it's your request, AnchoR, please spare mama here, okay?"

"Sorry. You got to know that humans have some troublesome potency functions."

"...Then, can I sleep, here…?"

Saying that, AnchoR laid down on the carpet between the bed and sofa.

Naoto and Marie did not want AnchoR to sleep on the floor, but the latter seemed to have her own insistence, and was unwilling to get up. Once she laid down, she was sleeping away, and everyone else chose to switch off the lights and go to sleep instead.

&nbsp;

"..."

Despite getting what she wanted, Marie still could not get to sleep.

It was not because she was bothered by the noises outside the hotel. The place was safe, the bedding of top quality. The pillow was soft, the bed sheet was clean, and there was nothing to nitpick. Most importantly, her body was worn out, her brain numb from deep within, and her thought processing ability dropped.

The bed was wonderful, but...it was too vast. The bed was too large.

Marie herself was petite, but the bed was so large that even though she stretched her limbs everywhere, there was still space.

The actual specification name of this bed was Extreme Ultra King Size, and it might sound like a joke, but Marie would not know about this.

--Why do we need such a large bed? This is a two persons room, right? Feels like it can easily fit three, four people.

Marie sensed that she was about to come to an unpleasant conclusion, and stopped thinking.

However, compared to the sudden herky-jerkys in a corner of the cargo train as she slept with her legs cupped together, the overly spacious place should be as good as it gets...yet she could not calm down.

Even after stretching her body out, the feeling of being unable to touch anything else was really unnerving, and Marie sensed an empty loneliness in the middle of the universe.

...She rolled on the bed, poking her head out from the edge of the bed.

Marie on the bed, AnchoR on the floor, Naoto and RyuZU on the sofa.

In her impression, AnchoR's position should be between Naoto and Marie…

"..."

But for some reason, AnchoR was latching onto Naoto's hand that was dangling from the sofa.

<em>...What's that? Isn't that strange?</em>

<em>AnchoR should be right between us, but she's not in the middle? Am I the only one left behind? I was left behind?</em>

Marie climbed out of the bed, poking her head out, saying,

"E-Erm, RyuZU?"

"--Is there something? I do need to watch over Master Naoto's sleeping face from evening to morning, and you wish to ask of something that obstructs my exalted mission?"

RyuZU sat on the sofa, gently stroking Naoto's head that was on her thighs, answering as she maintained a gentle smile. However, her stare did not shift in the slightest.

"Shut up and die, you party pooper." Marie seemed to hear the subconscious voice from RyuZU.

That frivolous attitude further increased the loneliness Marie felt.

"Erm...sorry, it's my fault, so...I-I'll just sleep at the edge of the bed...I'll just sleep there, so can you please let AnchoR sleep in the middle--anyway, you're too despicable, Naoto!!"

Right when Marie exclaimed this with some tears in her eyes, AnchoR, who should be sleeping, instantly jumped up, and brought the towel along as she jumped onto the bed.

Then, she slept on the middle of the bed, right beside Marie, fawning,

"Erm, mama, papa...can you sleep together?"

Nobody opposed this final resolution, and Marie was finally able to sleep.

&nbsp;

At night, Naoto and Marie naturally woke up.

They tidied up, went down to the first level, and found the atmosphere of the hotel restaurant to be way different from the day, like a bar.

Under the dim lighting, the smoke from the cigarettes and the stinging scents filled the place, and the lively greetings of the waiters echoed throughout.

All remnants of sophisticatry vanished, the savage looking men and the prostitutes with rich makeup occupied the restaurant seats, creating a lively ruckus.

And amongst them, they found Halter and Vermouth at the large table next to the staircase.

"Yo, slept a little there?"

Halter raised a beer jockey and asked, while Naoto looked lost, asking,

"Well, more or less...I say, the atmosphere here is different from how it is in the day, huh?"

Marie sat down, and answered,

"Didn't I say that they'll show their true selves at night? This is how they're really like."

"If you want to, the smoking hot big sister sitting there can come drink with you/"


Vermouth said with a grin.

He pointed his chin at a prostitue seated by the table at the entrance.

"Stuff some money into her cleavage, and if the price satisfies her, you can go to the room upstairs and bang her--such a wonderful paradise, isn't it?"

"It's Hell."

Marie maintained a stoic, mask-like look, and spat those words.

Once the two non-cyborgs were seated, a hulking, muscular waiter came to take their orders.

"Your orders?"

"Khanom Chin and Sai Ua. No wine. What about you, Naoto?"

Marie ordered without hesitation, and Naoto, looking at the unfamiliar names of the dishes, was seeming at a loss."

"I don't really understand the menu...mind ordering something that isn't too spicy?"

"Then Rat na? Thai-style stir-fried noodles."

"That then."

Once he was done with the orders, the waiter returned to the kitchen.

Marie carelessly looked at the waiter leaving, and said,

"...Back on point, is it possible to get the intel we need?"

"Of course. So, I want to ask, bitch, you got enough money for us to have a shot?"

Marie turned around, and found an unfamiliar man seated beside Halter.

It was a plain looking middle-aged man wearing a polo shirt and jeans.

<em>Such a forgettable looking man,</em> Marie thought.

They were seated so close to each other, yet his appearance never seemed to leave any impression. If the man was to get up and leave, she might end up forgetting his appearance within 5 minutes.

It was likely that he deliberately made sure not to show any sense of presence--probably an information broker.

Marie nodded, and added on,

"Yeah--but not a cent for you to have your drinks."

Vermouth groaned.

"Hey, spare me already. You got to understand that I was just a lowly employee, and currently unemployed? The last place I stayed at was a black-hearted enterprise that doesn't even provide retrenchment benefits. At least spare me some wine--and a new body, you shitty slave."

"You definitely do have one or two secret stashes--no? A trash that can't manage his own finances might as well go die."

"How about I tell you something shocking, you bitch? I'm already dead!?"

"Then how about I spill out some intel too. You know what? The bitch you're referring to is also dead. What a coincidence, so coincidental, it's disgusting."

Marie spat back angrily, and smiled.

Then, she suddenly turned to ask Naoto,

"Just to ask, though I'm hoping for anything at all--how much money do you have?"

Naoto looked displeased, saying."

"...Of course I'm penniless. My account in Japan should still have the money RyuZU obtained through some amazing means."

"But your account should be frozen. Of course--"

And,

"No, do relax, Master Naoto. Before we left Kyoto, all the savings were already deposited into the Geneva Bank in Switzerland."

"Huh!?"

RyuZU's nonchalant revelation of the fact stunned Marie so much, she was choking,

"Huh…? Erm, under whose name…?"

"Of course, it's under Master Naoto's name. Is there a problem?"

"No, isn't the account frozen?"

"Do relax, Master Naoto. The Geneva Bank is an international bank that respects eternal neutrality and privacy. The slogan used is 'with an account, even a terrorist is a customer all the same'--"

"W-wait a sec. If you want to save money inside the Geneva bank, the account maintenance fees is large enough to build a mansion!? How much did you save!?"

Marie frantically asked, and RyuZU told her with a displeased look,

"Master Marie, are you insisting that you have the privilege to know of the amount Master Naoto has? Did you actually believe AnchoR's foolish words and intend to live as his wife--"

"Not at all!!"

Marie shouted, and seemed worn out as she sighed, shaking her head, saying,

"...Well, I'm too lazy to argue. Just tell me how many zeroes there are."

RyuZU did not answer, and instead, glanced aside at Naoto.

The latter seemed worn out too as he nodded, saying,

"Eh...I don't really want to know, but at least explain this."

"Understood."

Saying that, RyuZU opened her hands wide.

She was not showing any intention to surrender, and instead, raised 10 fingers.

--At least a billion. Marie felt giddy, and affirmed again,

"In what currency?"

"Yes? Of course, in key currency."

"...So how much is that in Yen?"

Naoto muttered blankly, and with a deep sigh, Marie answered,

"Looking at current rates...at least 120 billion."

<em>Wew.</em> Halter whistled, and chuckled.

"That's a large sum there, Naoto. You're able to buy two hundreds of the latest heavy armor automata, you know?"

"No no no, boss, looking at the market here, you can buy double of that. Pooahh, let's be friends, okay? I hope you'll finance me somewhat?"

Vermouth did a disgusting, bewitching action.

"...RyuZU, mind explaining the source--of that sum of money?"

Marie seemed to be thoroughly shaken, and she was a little speechless, asking,

But RyuZU merely answered frivolously,

"Even if you do ask of the source, there is nothing much to say. Capitalism is simply a game of multiplying money, after all. Before we left Kyoto, I already knew that there would be a commotion in Tokyo, so I sold all the funds and leverages, so this amount of profit is to be expected, right?"

Marie was about to nod in understanding, but found that she could not agree with it.

"No no no, a terrorist earned a large sum of money by starting a terrorist attack...you're basically match-pumping this!"

"I do not understand. I was not the one who caused the Japanese market to crash, and I suppose that is not considered insider dealings, no?"


<em>--That's not the problem here!</em>

Marie buried her face into her hands, groaning, but soon recovered.

"...Eh, whatever. It's not even a tenth of that, but I have a secret account too, so for the time being, I don't have to worry about funding my activities."

Those words caused Naoto to narrow his eyes and retort,

"Aren't you the same yourself?"

"What are you saying? It's the duty of a large enterprise to build a secret account and cheque book."

"Better go apologize to the kind taxpayers."

"I'm not laundering any money, just selling my shares before the losses. It's to be expected so that I can finance my actions--Halter too probably has something like this."

"Hey hey, I only have some money for my wine."

Halter, who was named, merely showed a smirk as he said this.

Marie snorted,

"Some pricey wine you have there...so, what about you."

"Oi oi, what do you expected of a little ex-spy here? I'm different from you rich shitty slaves, a lowly peasant on the corporate staircase, you know?"

"Halter?"

"Looks like the Odemas are really kind with their dealings, ex-spy."

Halter grinned as he toyed with the portable terminal in his hand.

Vermouth saw the terminal show his secret account, and could not help but exclaim,

"Hey boss! This is an invasion of privacy!"

"Let me see...oh, I see, quite a sum you have here. Looks like you can buy a cyborg body for yourself at any given moment."

With Marie making jabs at Vermouth, the latter retorted,

"Get this clear. I'm a pitiful laborer who can be sacked at any given moment, you know? What's wrong with earning some petty cash? I worked so hard to save up some private money, and will you die if you spare some mercy? You really don't trust me, huh…"

"Like we're going to trust you. You can earn quite a lot by informing the authorities of our whereabouts!"

"Woah, this little bitch here! I helped you out so much, and this is how you treat me? Hey boss, this shitty brat doesn't seem to know what is comradeship here."

"Oh? So is this money earned from denying that, or some subjob, you punk?"

Saying that, Halter pointed at a corner of the terminal.

Vermouth groaned.

"Looks like you earned quite a bit of pocket change over the last two weeks huh? 8 total transactions from the Suvarnabhumi--I remember that's the company the Thai 'military' used as a disguise, no?"

"Eh? That means--"

"......Oh, now that explains a lot."

Marie smiled at Vermouth.

"The Thai 'military' gave you 8 transactions while we're escaping our pursuers? <strong>What kind of part-time work did you do?</strong> I'm very curious about that."

Unlike her expression and smile, her eyes were absolutely stone cold.

Vermouth's expression was that of a little hoodlum whose act was up, and he sighed hard, saying,

"--Spare me already. Our whereabouts are going to be revealed for sure, so I might as well reveal where we are and earn quite a bit, and it'll be easier to predict their actions. Didn't I help fight against the enemy? This is a win-win situation, right?"

"Huh? What kind of win-win is this when you keep all the money to yourself? At least you should split some with us to show some sincerity, right?"

Marie haughtily argued back, and Vermouth clicked his tongue,

"Tch...okay. You're so petty despite you being so rich--how much of the share?"

"9 to 1."

"Huh? What? That's enough for you?"

"Right, 9 for me and 1 for you--I'm being kind here, right?"

"Are you the devil!?"

Vermouth glared as he growled back.

"...? Hey, papa, what are you talking about?"

AnchoR seemed unable to comprehend the conversation at hand, and blankly asked,

Naoto in turn shook his head consciously, comforting AnchoR, and said,

"We're just talking about how there's a lot of people earning money through illegal ways~ you're a good kid, AnchoR. Can't do that at all, okay?"

"You don't have a job, let alone earn proper money! Stop being so haughty when you're a good-for-nothing leeching off your wife, okay!?"

"A normal 16-year-old kid can only do part-time jobs! Who's the one who made sure that I couldn't even do that!?"

"Huh!? Stop crying down there already."

--There was buzzing.

While the deplorable vileful words were being exchanged, Halter sighed, and said,

"...Sorry to bother you."

He apologized, and took out a stack of notes from the pocket of his suit, handing it over to the man at the next table.

But once the man received it and did a brief count, he wrapped half of the notes in a paper bag, and returned it to Halter.

"This should be enough."

"Hm? ...Isn't that too cheap?"

Halter asked with a frown.

He opened the paper bag, and found the intel Halter requested. Though Halter did pay way beyond the market rate, but half of that was too little."

In the face of Halter's skeptical look, the man calmly answered,

&nbsp;

"I still couldn't believe until I witnessed it with my own eyes...I never expected these brats to be--that Second Epsilon."

&nbsp;

There was silence in the room.

The buzzing drunk customers, the prostitutes that were hawking, and the fierce looking waiters.

All of them kept quiet, staring at their table intently.

<em>--Was I too optimistic here?</em>

Halter quietly groaned as he reached his hand from the handgun at his waist.

He did not think this place was safe enough to let his guard down, but he never expected the enemy to strike at this moment. Did he misjudge how wary this city might be…

Marie and Naoto scowled, tensing up.

What could they do?

It was easy for them to leave the scene, but only for a moment. Since the enemy's clutches were reaching out faster than he thought, the emergency escape point he prepared just in case might not be safe…

In this tense atmosphere, the man merely stood up silently, not holding any weapons.

He looked around at every person at the table, and reached his hand out--

"--I shall charge a cheaper fee for the intel. Instead, may we shake hands?"

"..."

Huh?


"And if possible--is it fine for us to have a commemorative photo?"

The man said bashfully with a smile.

&nbsp;

Not only did he shake hands enthusiastically and take commemorative photos, he even requested autographs.

The information broker left with a grin...and with everyone else in the restaurant still looking at them, Marie picked up the Sai ua with the fork, muttering,

"...Anyway."

"Yeah?"

"I get the feeling that I shouldn't ask, but who was that?"

"You should follow your instincts, Milady--better not to know now. He's someone who might beat to death immediately."

"I just feel...nom nom...that I saw him somewhere before, but I'm not sure…"

Marie put the food into her mouth as she tilted her head.

That middle-aged man seemed to be someone in the movie that would be forgotten after a scene, and gave up on his professionalism to showcase his desire--Marie felt that something was amiss ever since he showed his true colors.

She felt that she was close to the answer, and yet not getting there, something felt off, like food traces stuck between the teeth.

"--Need me to guess?"

Vermouth smirked, and interrupted,

"6 years ago, there was the news about the mastermind behind the assassination of the president of Palam reported as dead...right?"


Marie's expression changed at that instant.

She glared at Vermouth with a ferocious look,

"--Wait a second. That incident caused an economic crisis in China, America and many other countries, you know? How many people do you think were hanged because of that?"

"Milady."

Halter calmly stated.

"There's a lot of people that are playing dead right now--there's one here, for example."

"This--"

"Nobody else realized that you're the Princess of a certain company of the 5 Enterprises--there's a rule of thumb to all that, so don't think too much about it."

Once Vermouth said that, Marie felt dejected.

"So what now, I'm not only treated as someone like that guy, and also a comrade--nothing else can be considered a bigger humiliation, right?"

"But this is what you wanted things to turn out, right? Just got to act all the the way now. Right, the worst terrorist in the world."

Marie wanted to refute Vermouth's cheeky comments, but remained silent.

He was absolutely right--at this point, she was a terrorist.

She kicked away all semblance of logic to satisfy herself. If there was something different from her to the man who triggered that incident in the past, it would be the motives, for the sake of money, insistence, ideals...or for personal interest.

Right, there was nothing different at all.

In the end, she did it all for her own sake. At the very least, looking at this aspect, Marie had no right to criticize him--

"I know, I'll endure this...though I really don't like this."

"Relax. You guys are famous and popular--but we aren't the only terrorists in town. Need me to introduce a few of them to you? I can go from West to East and get all my colleagues for a reunion."

"No need for that."

Marie poked at the Sai ua with the fork, saying that.

"Now then, time to explain the situation in this city. Listen up as you eat."

Halter changed the topic.

"As you know, this city is filled with countless criminal organizations and radicals, and there's no government. However, those lawless people have their own way of life and order--so it ends up with three organizations managing such people."

"Ends up?"

Marie gave a puzzled look, and Halter nodded back,

"Of course, they're all people from various stuff here and there, but after countless wars, splinters and mergers, the original groups vanished."

"There's no one here who'll try to boost the reputation of the organization, and there's no language about no access. The main customers here are the rich from around the world that did guilty things. Everyone just called them with various names."

Vermouth raised the fingers to count, informing them,

&nbsp;

"They're--the 'market', 'restaurant', and 'arsenal'."

&nbsp;

"In order, they are the money dealers who broker trades and information, the pimps who deals with drugs and human trafficking, and finally, the martial branch that controls weapons, armaments and clockwork technology--easy to understand?"

Hearing Halter's brief explanation, Naoto tilted his head, asking,

"...Well, the market is one thing, but won't it be troublesome if you mix up the restaurant and the arsenal?"

"No way. There's no warehouse the 'arsenal' won't handle, and no hotel the 'restaurant' won't handle."

Vermouth snarked,

"So? You can guess without us saying, that the three organizations don't get along with each other. Of course, isn't it? Any organization will want to do business. To deal with money here, you need bodyguards, and bodyguards in turn in weapons, and of courses, you need the meals, hump the ladies, and use the drugs."

"So, basically put, all the territories overlap." Halter said.

"That's why each organization find each other to be an eyesore, but they appear to be getting along, which is a strange part to this city...anyway, you don't have to remember anything other than the 'arsenal'."

Naoto tilted his head.

"Because tomorrow, there might be another organization taking over, so there's no time to remember them all."

Once Halter answered, Vermouth chimed in,

"Boss mentioned that the three organizations originally wasn't such an organization. The number of upstart groups is in triple digits, with foreign aid and even terrorist organizations involved in such mud-like internal struggles, so it ends up with some people taking the top position for the time being. One single misstep, or a slip of the mouth, and it'll be a change of heads in 5 minutes. Except for the 'arsenal' here."

"The 'arsenal' is the only organization here that hasn't changed hands for 6 years--this is an unprecedented feat."

Halter solemnly noted,

"Their boss is Kyu Taiyu, the actual ruler of this city. He has control over the weapons, armament, cyborgs, automatas and spare parts, and even has a batch of Meisters occupying the Core Tower."

"Also to note, he integrated the Core Tower into his territory, and through diplomatic means, thoroughly erased any excuse for the ISS to interfere with this city. Isn't that amazing? Living for 6 years proves his actual accomplish and means. The second place here is about 8 months or so, so he has the record by a large distance."

Even with incomplete information, they could understand that this was something doable through abnormal talent.

Marie inadvertently gasped, and asked,

"...Who is that guy?"

"I don't know. Personally, I'm not interested."

Halter shrugged.

"No well, strictly put, someone might want to know, but in this city, digging up someone else's past is going to ensure that you won't live for long. Are you going to risk your life finding out if the boss of the 'arsenal' once worked part-time at a pizzeria?"

"...Well, you're right."

"Simply put, just remember that he's very powerful. As long as we don't do anything silly, he's probably not someone who's going to think of some stupid idea."

As he said that, Halter took out a notebook from his pocket.

He wrote something, tore the page out, and handed it over to Marie,

"As for what you requested of me, you can find it at that address. You can go over once you're done with dinner."

"...? You're not coming along, Halter?"

"I need to go elsewhere for some 'immigration check's. Relax, if anything doesn't go wrong, you'll be safer. You have RyuZU around."

"Understood--then what about you?"

Marie gave Vermouth a spiteful look while the latter was nonchalantly trying to leave.

Vermouth showed a sneer, saying,

"What? You want to come along too? Bitch, I know you're lonely--"

"I'm asking what is the bastard who sold us out planning to do by running off alone, you shithead?"

"Hey hey, calling a baldy a baldy isn't an insult. As for what a shithead wants to do, you wanna know?"

Vermouth gleefully responded, and Halter snapped back,

"--Kid, you think I'll let you wander around in this city alone? You're coming with me."

"Haha! Sorry boss, I'm the type who wants to some sex shop."

"I don't want to hear your tastes."

Halter coldly stated, and Vermouth suddenly changed expression--or to be precise, he did not, merely showing a taunting smirk.

However, the intent behind that expression showed a decisive change.

"--Listen boss. I really respect your abilities as a mercenary, and I dare say that I'm a huge fan of yours."

Vermouth snapped a finger, and said,

&nbsp;

<strong>"But for everything, there are things we are good and bad at.</strong>

&nbsp;

Voice came from everywhere.

All the customers in the shop said the same thing.

"...!?"

Shock, wariness, awareness--in a short moment, Marie and Naoto, RyuZU, AnchoR, and even Halter has a little slip in their consciousness.

And Vermouth did not let this opportunity slip.

By the time they recovered, Vermouth was already gone--without any voice, breath, or trace.

"--That guy!"

Marie widened her eyes and stood up, but it was too late.

The customers in the shop continued with their original buzz, as though they did not try to cover Vermouth's escape at all.

Looking at this, everything seemed surreal to Marie, and she remained rooted.

This indicated that all those present were hired by Vermouth, and assisted in his escape.

...When did he arrange for that? He was watched by Halter since they arrived at the hotel...so it was before they entered the city?

"That bastard."

Halter muttered, and grounded his teeth.

"So you mean that you're a match for me in hide and seek? Punk--you got guts."

PS: Yes, this is 12631 words in the text. No, I'm not halfway done with the chapter.

PS2: I'll try not to use Clockwork Planet for posting again