01x09 - Eat or Be Eaten

[bunniefuu]

Goodness.

How dare they step into our forest
with their filthy feet.

These petty fries.

Petty fries?

Petty thieves and small fry put together.

Oh, but did you k*ll them, Aqua?

They're still alive.

But I would've k*lled them
if they laid a hand on the Crimson Lotus.

Eggsactly.

Huh? E...

You've been speaking
strangely recently, Eris.

I don't seem to feel anything.

Magic that causes abnormal statuses
don't seem to affect you.

That only shows how impeccable
Young Master's powers are.

Young Master!

Everything is ready!

-Young Master!
-Congratulations!

Thank you for holding this banquet
to celebrate our new company out there.

Hey, isn't this your specialty, Tomoe?

Everyone wants to hear
your voice, Young Master.

Young Master, a drink for you.

Thank you, Doppelganger Tomoe.

What?

No, it's just...

I am connected to my doppelganger,

so when you pat her head...

We feel...

Young Master, this is
a dish I discovered in Tsige!

Oh, this smells good!

Isn't this the perfect chance
for me to feed him?

Oh, it has a nice, strong taste.

That wild side of yours is also lovely.

Sorry, should I have not done that?

Mio.

Let the others living here
sit with Young Master for today.

B... But...

It's been a while. I'm Akina, an Alkey.

I can maintain this form
for long periods of time now.

Wow! You look completely human!

May I give you the report on our findings
from our trip to Tinarac Forest?

Of course. Have you found the Ambrosia?

Yes. The location and details
about the flower are written here.

We wanted to bring back one as a sample,

but it seems that the forest
is ruled by another race.

That's all right.

It might cause trouble if we brought
a flower back without permission.

Oh, right. Have all the Alkeys
gotten used to living here?

Yes. All thanks to you.

Haruna has taken a liking to weapons.

She occasionally participates
in combat training as well.

Minato is researching a number of things,
such as smithing and alchemy.

Hokuto is highly interested
in construction.

He helps the Orcs in their work now.

I tend to accompany Madam Mio a lot.

When we went to
the outside world for the flowers,

we even tried some food carts.

So that's how Mio found that food.

Everything is all
thanks to you, Young Master.

Now then, I shall take my leave.

Young Master.

Oh, you were
a representative in the fights.

My name is Liddy.

Thanks to the joint training,
I have learned new techniques

and even managed to
win against Agares a few days ago.

So, the training paid off!

Yes, in preparation for the subspace
ranking battles in three months,

I've even begun to pursue unarmed combat.

That sounds like what a swordsman
would do. Could it be...

Yes. Madam Tomoe has been guiding me.

Oh, dear. The subspace is slowly
becoming more like Tomoe.

Are you residing in
Tsige for now, Young Master?

Is that human town to your liking?

Yes. It's a nice and lively place.

Tomoe and Mio
tend to act as they please, though.

While that may be so, I envy them
for being able to accompany you.

I'm sure they liven up every day for you.

Beren, you and the others have never left
the subspace since you came, right?

No matter how vast
this place is, it must be stifling.

Young Master, where in this world
would we feel stifled and cooped up?

Do... Do you really feel that way?

It's a rich and bountiful land
that we don't know the full extent of.

Mountains rise up in the distance and
there's a river from an unknown source.

This is a paradise, and we can't
even think of what more we could want.

Not only that, but to craft weapons
for such amazing people

is a far greater honor
than we craftsmen deserve.

I see. That's good to hear.

But I suppose I do have some interest

in what level of arms and armor
exist in the world outside.

In that case, why don't you try working
in our shop in Tsige?

Me? Is that all right?

When you think of dwarves,
you think of amazing smiths and weapons.

You might get some orders
to create weapons or armor.

Is that really all right?

Yes. Of course.

That sounds amazing.
I'm looking forward to it.

Young Master, I am the one
whose wounds you healed before.

Oh, the guy who was cutting down trees.

You actually remember?

Actually, it's my turn to guide
adventurers in Mirage City soon.

Mirage City.

It's a fake town we created

to use adventurers to distribute goods
that only exist here to the outside world.

Sorry for troubling you guys
because of my business.

Not at all.

I have always wanted
to be of use to you, Young Master.

-Hey! I want to talk to Young Master too!
-Me too!

Are they still
hovering around Young Master?

You reap what you sow.
I had nothing to do with that.

I wanted to be the one
that made the report to Young Master.

The one who is in charge of
the flower is probably...

Mio, we shouldn't report
things that are speculation.

We should only report confirmed facts
so that he may decide.

We should only state opinions
when he asks for them.

You have a point.

Hm? This is strange.
Young Master's presence...

Has he returned to the estate?

No. This is...

No! Young Master!

Mio, calm down.

But!

I can sense his presence again.

But...

Let's head toward his presence.

Be quick, but don't let anyone notice.

I didn't break any of the targets.

All right. I'm keeping my power in check.

Young Master...

How long have you guys been there?

Young Master!

Wait...

You're all right! You're still alive!

Wha... You're too close.
What are you talking about?

Tomoe! Are we under attack?

No.

Were you practicing archery just now?

Yes, after well, they made me
a simple archery range...

Have you always practiced like that?

Yes. But what about it?

This is serious!

Do you know how many times
you died just now?

Okay...

But I'm still alive...

In what manner do you sh**t your bow?

In what manner?

I usually sh**t standing up,

but I kneel when I want to concentrate.

I don't need minor details!

Weren't you the one who asked?

You mentioned concentrating.

Some series of actions
caused your consciousness

to seem as if
it melted into your surroundings.

After calming and emptying my mind,

it feels as if I assimilate into
the space between me and the target...

Young Master!

What?

You scattered your consciousness
all the way to that target

and then brought it back?

Yes!

Young Master...

A person scattering
their consciousness like that

is only possible when they die.

Your actions appear to us
as you committing suicide.

She's crying!

But look, I'm still alive and well,

so it's not a problem, right?

It's a very big deal.

Your mana capacity is sharply rising.

Mana is usually at a fixed amount.

Even significant training
would not increase it.

However, your mana was increasing
at an incredible pace.

Huh? Draupnir is...

I only changed it earlier!

This most likely stemmed from
your deep concentration earlier.

Your cycle resembling death and rebirth
must be raising your mana.

Huh? But I was just practicing archery.

By magically experiencing
death and rebirth,

your mana capacity will increase.

I've heard of this happening before.

So I can't even practice archery now?

It's fine if you don't concentrate.

The main issue is that mana, though.

Don't tell me there will
be another demon lord or something.

No. It's beyond that.

Young Master's current mana is comparable

to the Goddess!

There's one more thing.

This dimension expanded
when your mana increased.

Even the subspace?

That's right.

This subspace was most likely a product of
my power coming together with yours.

No way...

For instance, I'm not familiar with any of
the stars or constellations in the sky.

The stars...

They're all constellations I know.

Their strange positioning and seasons
makes it feel even more real.

But this is a troubling matter.

If the Goddess were to learn of this,

she would very likely
decide to get rid of you.

You created such impurity
inside my beautiful world?

Die, ugly being!

Ugh, it's so easy to imagine.

For now, you should put all your effort
into suppressing your mana.

Let's have them quickly finish
those mana absorption armors.

For now, I suppose I'll use Realm
to conceal my mana while I'm outside.

I'll return after I think of
more countermeasures.

Please take Mio
back with you, Young Master.

Oh, right. I'll do just that.

How terrifying.

-The master I chose...
-Mio, it's all right.

-is one who draws close to God level.
-Young Master...

Goodness.

There's not a single dull moment
when I'm around the Young Master.

Oh, dear.

I can't even get up because of the shock!

There sure are a lot of things
to prepare for the store opening.

Now I need to buy supplies.

I feel all pent up because
I can't concentrate while sh**ting my bow.

And after what happened yesterday...

Um, Young Master...

Is something the matter?
It's already late.

Um, my nightly duties...

There's nothing else to do for today.

And I'm about to rest for the night.

Um...

You should get some rest as well, Mio.
Good night.

Okay.

You sure work fast!

You're the one who said to relieve
Young Master's stress in place of his bow!

Hm? Relieve? Nightly duties?
Did she mean sleeping with me?

Tomoe! She did
something unnecessary again!

This is exhausting.

This might not be physically tiring,
but it is mentally exhausting.

I'm even hallucinating.
I think I see a bag flying towards me.

Ah! My items!

That's not the common language.
Is he a Demi-human?

Are you all right?

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

I can see why my face
would be compared to a Demi-human's.

You're such a kind person, Mister.

What's wrong? You look tired.

I... I'm in the red light district!

I don't have any customers at the moment,
so I had nothing to do.

I like you, Mister,
so I'll offer you a special service.

Service?

Huh?

Hey! Why did you guys suddenly...

Hey.

Why aren't you guys saying anything?

I should get out of here.

Young Master, where are you trying to go?

What are you guys doing?

Your prank has gone too far!

Prank?

You are very naive and a late bloomer,

so I believed it best to appeal to you
without being too forceful.

But now I see you with a prost*tute.
Is it a prank that we pulled you away?

Huh? Why are you talking so quickly?

No, wait. I also feel like you said
a lot of inexcusable things.

I only ran into her by accident.
You saw that too, didn't you?

Yes, and you didn't seem too unhappy.

Well, that's...

Are we not to your liking?

It's not that.

Then what is it?

You guys are more like fa...

Fa?

I can't say they're like family.
That's too embarrassing.

You've got nothing to do with this.

Mio.

Yes. Tomoe.

Now that it has come to this,
it doesn't matter who's first.

The both of us will have
something to do with you.

Wh... What are you saying?

-Young Master.
-Young Master.

-Come.
-Come.

Hold... Hold on, you two!

You guys need to cool down!

He escaped through a mist gate.

Were we too forceful?

Did we anger Young Master?

No, I wouldn't call that anger.

Or does he prefer
more lascivious underwear?

I should've worn something
sexier than kimono undergarments.

-I doubt that's the issue...
-What should I do now?

She's not listening.

Young Master! Young Master?

I forgot I was on
the second floor of the inn.

Your clothes are torn! What happened?

Well...

Pink mist and spider thread...

Your clothing is in a terrible state.

Speaking of clothing, Rugui seems
to have finished your protective gear.

Please go and try it on.

Thank you for understanding, Emma.

And attach this chain
to the underside of the coat.

It works as I previously explained.

I've increased the mana capacity
on it as well.

It feels nice.

Now, that's for business use.

I'll work on versions
for social events and combat later.

Um, Young Master...

Mio...

I would like to apologize for last night.

I understand if you are upset,
Young Master.

Oh, no. Not at all.

Though, I would prefer
you not do that again.

I understand.

This is so awkward.

Oh right, there's a race that watches over
the Ambrosia flowers, right?

Yes.

I would like to meet them
and ask if we can have one flower.

What?

There is no need for you
to spend your time on that, Young Master.

Please leave everything to me.

No. Let's go together.

Together?

Let's go together, all right?

I...

Let's go! Of course, I'll go!

She's suddenly so fired up.

TINARAC FOREST

We're being followed, huh?

Yes. I ignored them because
they are small fries.

But if you give me the word,
I'll erase all of them for you.

No. You don't need to go that far.

I doubt they'll cause us much trouble,

but let's give them the slip.

Understood.

What's with these threads?

They won't come off!

Oh, no!

So this is where Ambrosia grows.

It definitely looks tended to.

Oops.

We might fall if we're not careful.

It's slippery here. Mio, let's hold hands.

Hold hands...

Oh, I was thinking of my little sister,
and it just slipped out.

Sorry, I didn't mean that.

Not at all.

I'll hold on to the best of my ability!

Please hold back!

Young Master's hand.

It's a little bigger than my own.

I'm so happy.

If only this moment could last forever.

Hold it right there.

What are you humans doing in our forest?

They're the caretakers of the forest.

We're not suspicious.

Please hear us out.

31 seconds.

A mere 31 seconds.

My precious little time with Young Master...

-How dare they interrupt...
-Mio, the air around you feels evil!

I felt the mana coming from here.

The adventurers from earlier!

These are Ambrosia flowers.

That Ambrosia is ours!
Don't leave any behind!

How did it turn out that way?

I knew it. Petty thieves.

Wait! Please calm down!

Young Master, can I eat them?

-Let me eat all of them.
-No! You need to calm down the most!

The woman over there.

I smell Crimson Lotuses on her.

Smell?

Did she get the scent on her
when she was here before?

But that was already days ago.

Woof.

Why did she bark?

I received a revelation to bark just now.

From who?

Me.

You can't receive
a revelation from yourself!

Nice retort.

However, a crime is a crime.

And you'll have to
pay for it with your life.

Why does it come to that?

Enough talk.

Death or die!

Both options are death!

Wait. Why are you running?

Why won't you beat them?

Why is she ordering me around?

And this person...

She's the same woman from last night.

Did he cancel out Eris's magic?

Then I'll deal with the small fries first!

Defense Realm!

What? Did something just repel it?

All right, I was able to use
the Defense and Conceal Realms together.

This should make things easier.

k*ll them...

Oh, no! She's near her limit!

The situation isn't any better!

The tenth night.
"The demon's hidden village."