Chapter 213: Today Kuzunoha leaves, and Limia must be having it hard

“What did you say just now, Joshua-sama?”

“I have come to suggest retirement, is what I said, Lord Algurio.” (Joshua)

The words of the guest that Algurio brought in were so unexpected that he asked again.

But the words that were returned weren’t that different from before.

The day that Raidou and the Kuzunoha Company left Limia, there was one guest at the Hopelace’s residence in the southern part of the kingdom.

The current Head of the Hopelace household, Algurio Hopelace, had returned to his territory in the time that Raidou’s group was in the capital, in order to prepare for the welcoming of the guest.

Then he should have finished that business when they were in the capital, is the illogical action Raidou would most likely suggest.

Just that, when a noble takes an appointment, there’s a specially troublesome custom of one side visiting and the other receiving.

Joshua feels like that’s troublesome too, and Hibiki who has accompanied him also feels the same inside.

But right now is not the time to aggravate the situation. They have departed from the capital with Raidou’s group, and so, have arrived at the Hopelace territory to see them off.

“…It seems like it is no joke. But Joshua-sama, it is still too soon for me to retire. My son has gone out temporarily, but I am thinking about having him succeed the household when the time comes.” (Algurio)

“‘As a policy of the royal family, we have prohibited evil intended actions towards Raidou and the Kuzunoha Company’, is what I believe I told you before. You have gone against it. Well, your failures in Rotsgard were also pretty pathetic though. Even so, this is troubling. It seems like you have thrown around quite a lot of money, but you must have already noticed that this is not a problem that can be solved with money.” (Joshua)

It seemed like Joshua himself didn’t intend to take back his words.

In this place, there’s only Joshua and Algurio.

Hibiki who’s here on the pretext of being the bodyguard of Joshua, and the knight that works for the Hopelace household, were in standby outside the room.

“I have not gone against it. Since then, I have not put a single finger on Raidou, and when they were on their journey to Limia, the family provided them a lodging. Joshua-sama spoke of throwing around money, but that was our contribution for the reconstruction of Rotsgard and the capital. I am sorry for the rudeness but, I can only call this an unjust suspicion from Joshua-sama. I don’t have any intentions of escaping responsibility or anything.” (Algurio)

“…It has already been exposed that you were conspiring with a number of nobles in this matter. If there’s the need for proof, I will bring that at a later time. Lord Algurio, when the Kuzunoha Company’s group lodged in this place, you clearly send assassins in order to murder them, right?” (Joshua)

“…”

Those were words filled with confidence.

Algurio maintains silence

In this occasion, his silence affirmed what Joshua has pointed out.

He immediately knew that the amount of information and basis of Joshua were not a bluff.

That’s why he decided not to respond by reflex and just wait and see what the other party has to play.

The silence also signified this.

“It ended with the tables being turned, but obviously, it is a big issue. The assassins that you brought to your territory were all people that secretly acted in the country. Not only did you ignore a recent order from the royal family, you even utilized criminals to realize your lynching. It is in no way how a noble of high class should act.” (Joshua)

“Joshua-sama, there’s the public position that one should think of in all actions. I judged that I had obtained your tacit consent and proceeded to act. The consent of Joshua-sama who is the counsellor of the king means that your consent is the consent of the king. Don’t tell me that you are going to deny the reality of the discussion we had before? There were several others there aside from me, you know?” (Algurio)

“Well now, I don’t remember telling you to kill the Kuzunoha Company, and don’t remember accepting such a foolish idea. And I also don’t remember promising that I didn’t see anything. My consent? If you are saying that I would be ignoring that stupid ‘joke’ you guys did there at that time, you are seriously wrong.” (Joshua)

“You are going to feign ignorance till the end? Isn’t that quite the poor treatment there.” (Algurio)

“Doing crafty actions towards the guests that the royal family had invited to express their gratitude, isn’t that quite the deed? If it’s you who has good intuition, there should be no need for more words than these, right? Please retire. Have your eldest son succeed your household, and disappear from the front stage of politics. It is quite the peaceful way of stepping back from top seat of the family.” (Joshua)

Joshua pushes Algurio into retirement with a smile.

The assassins that attacked Raidou were people send by Algurio and his group, and the proof is already in the hands of Joshua.

This deed would normally merit heavy punishments like cutting off part of their territory, or a demotion of their status.

If it can be solved by just changing the head of the family, it is not a bad trade for the Hopelace household.

But…

As long as the Kuzunoha Company is involved, Algurio can’t easily nod.

Even if it was indirectly, there’s no way he would find it pleasant, because it would mean that the power of their household has been chipped off again by them.

“I see. You are really intending to get rid of me huh. But is that okay, Joshua-sama?” (Algurio)

That’s why Algurio decided to use his hidden card.

He knew that the other nobles have already been persuaded or incapacitated. He understood that all the groundwork has already been done, but even with that, he still struggled.

“What is it?” (Joshua)

“I know what you have been desperately trying to hide.” (Algurio)

“…Ah, I forgot to tell you. Your elder son suffered a big injury a few days ago. We are currently doing our best in his treatment.” (Joshua)

“?!”

“His physique has deteriorated quite a bit, but I hope he gets better.” (Joshua)

“Impossible! I have not received a single notice of that! Besides, I was in the capital just a few days ago!” (Algurio)

“Yeah, I am truly sorry. It seems like the report ran late because of the matter with the Kuzunoha Company. I think that the notification will come tomorrow or the day after.” (Joshua)

“His life…his life can be saved, right?!” (Algurio)

Without minding about his words, Algurio presses unto Joshua.

After losing Illumgand, the only one left who can succeed him is the eldest son.

It couldn’t be helped that he would lose himself.

“Of course. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t be bringing out a conversation like changing Heads. Ah right, you said something about a secret of mine, right? What was it?” (Joshua)

“…”

Algurio was shocked and revised his knowledge of Joshua.

The Joshua he knows of is a loyal counsellor of the king.

On top of abandoning the succession of the throne, he has a favorable relationship with his little brother Bredda; he is an exceedingly gentle person.

He has never heard of Joshua taking on dirty work.

Even so, the one in front of Algurio is clearly Joshua and not someone else.

Seeing a side of the prince he has never seen before, Algurio felt like he was being cornered.

But he already said that he knew the secret of the prince. Even if he goes without saying it, it won’t bring any benefits.

It would actually invite disadvantage, is what he thinks.

Now that it has come to this, he has decided that there’s no choice but to drag out the information.

He was being played by Joshua splendidly.

It normally wouldn’t be so easy to control the Head of the Hopelace household whose rank comes after that of the royalty.

Joshua was going strong because he knew he would be able to bring out a variety of cards from him.

“If you don’t have anything to say, then I want to hear your answer. You are going to wait for the recovery of your eldest son and retire right, Lord Algurio? (Joshua)

“There is.”

“…Hoh. Go ahead.” (Joshua)

“Then prince Joshua –no, princess.” (Algurio)

“…”

“The child that his Majesty had with a woman from the streets, had -at some point in time- become the brother of Bredda-sama. It would be another matter if it were a noble’s concubine; a lady that has the vulgar blood of someone that’s not a noble.” (Algurio)

“…”

“If this were to be known in the country, it would be clear that it would become an unwelcoming situation for Joshua-sama. A princess that has their same blood, moreover, someone that has been calling herself as a prince and deceiving the whole country; the masses would never accept this.” (Algurio)

“…”

“How’s that? How about we act in a manner that benefits us both? I don’t have any plans on retiring in the near future, but when the time comes, I promise that I will peacefully yield the household to my son. He is already the only one who can succeed it after all. If Joshua-sama accepts this, and promise not to do any unnecessary intervention after my retirement as well, I will take the secret of prince to my grave.” (Algurio)

“Fufufufu.” (Joshua)

“Joshua-sama?” (Algurio)

“Ufufu, ahahaha!! Take my secret to your grave? You will? Are you telling me to believe that? I don’t mind. If you think you are able to, try doing it.” (Joshua)

Joshua laughs away the proposal of Algurio about feigning ignorance.

Being sure that she would be able to finish this while maintaining several cards, Joshua pushed aside the threat.

“Are you telling me to try and expose it? It makes me question your sanity.” (Algurio)

“Revealing a card -that can’t even be considered one- on your own…that’s quite funny.” (Joshua)

…

“Just like you said, I am a woman. And my mother is a plebeian. Lord Algurio, your information is correct. It is certainly true that if this were to leak outside, it would plunge the capital into great confusion, and it will create a big opening in Limia for foreign countries to exploit.” (Joshua)

“…That’s right. So Joshua-sama, you have no choice but to accept my proposal. Right?” (Algurio)

Joshua didn’t overlook the small opening in the words of Algurio.

“That moment of hesitation there, is telling me everything. The information of me being a woman…if this were to be known, the ones troubled would be the royal family and you nobles.” (Joshua)

“It is a problem of the royal family, but it is not a problem for us.” (Algurio)

“Even though you already know. If it were in an era without war, in a peaceful country, this information would be incredibly valuable and the uses would be many. But in a situation where we are fighting with another race, it can’t even be considered a card. It is simply useless information.” (Joshua)

“…”

“If the current Limia were to show an opening, there’s the chance that the demon race will be attacking again. Even if that doesn’t happen, Gritonia, Aion, and Lorel, will do a variety of interventions in our domestic affairs in the pretense of preserving the frontlines. Hyumans are not a monolith after all.” (Joshua)

“No matter the reality, many hyumans still believe that this war with the demon race will finish with the victory of the hyuman race huh…” (Algurio)

Algurio can also see the situation of the war.

He has also stood in the battlefield, and he understands that the war with the demon race is a serious one that has the survival of the race at stake.

That’s why he had Illumgand go to Rotsgard in order to polish his commanding ability and battle power to high levels.

Algurio speaks of an immature ideal; he wanted to have Illumgand work in the battlefield, and in exchange, return his eldest son to begin his education towards succeeding as the Head.

“Yeah. I have done this much, and today, beginning with lord here, I will be swinging a hatchet at many other nobles as well. In the near future, I will be revealing this to a set number of people inside the castle beyond a certain standing, and at the same time, I will be preparing to leave the castle. In other words, it will be a simultaneous strike between everyone and me, right?” (Joshua)

“Are you saying that you will be abandoning the reformation that is merely halfway -no, that has barely started?” (Algurio)  

“To establish a big reformation, I am way too dangerous. Because I am holding a big bomb after all. That’s why I have already requested another person to take the leading role in changing the country. Also…if it is known that I am a woman, Bredda will have no choice but to resolve himself to be the king of the next generation.” (Joshua)

“…The hero Hibiki huh.” (Algurio)

It is a dangerous conversation, moreover, it is an important one, but it is not something big enough to warrant the company of the hero.

And yet Hibiki came as a bodyguard, which Algurio reads into it deeply.

“Who knows. How about confirming it, not from the stage, but from the spectator’s seat?” (Joshua)

From beginning to end, Joshua didn’t panic at all, even her body spoke of her indifference and calm.

With her blood and gender, Joshua understands that she is in a position that would not even allow her to serve at the side of the king.

From her way of speaking, Algurio could tell that plenty enough.

And he could also tell that she had the resolve of making it end with a simultaneous strike no matter what.

“…Fuh~, this is my lost. Well, you got me there. You really had some sharp fangs hidden there. It is my total defeat.” (Algurio)

After a while of silence, Algurio makes a bright expression as if an evil spirit had come off his shoulders, and said these words in a gentle expression like that of Joshua.

“I am glad to hear you have understood, Lord Algurio.” (Joshua)

“Don’t mind it, I am already a geezer. I will just think of it as a good opportunity. If I can receive it happily, there’s no right or wrong. Well, for my retirement’s farewell gift, I wouldn’t have any objections if you accompany me once in a dance. Of course, you will be filling the female role, Joshua-sama.” (Algurio)

“If it’s only that much, I will happily be your partner. Well then, this matter has been wrapped up, so I will be taking my leave. See you at a later time.” (Joshua)

“Yes, later.” (Algurio)

Joshua stands up with a smiling face.

Algurio also stands up with a smile that didn’t lose to hers.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“Good job, Joshua.”

“Yeah, it was tiring, Hibiki. But it has ended as Hopelace also yielding their family headship. With this, the noble clique that is clinging to the old predisposition is as good as gone.” (Joshua)

“Turning over half of the nobles with that inclination into enemies; a sane person wouldn’t be able to do that. Now if we are able to take away the eyes of the outside interference, their strength will naturally dwindle.” (Hibiki)

Joshua answers the welcoming of Hibiki who was in the room.

Normally, Hibiki shows her usual respect towards the prince, but when they are alone, the atmosphere is that of two close friends.

“The young nobles that will be succeeding the households are mostly influenced by Hibiki’s thoughts already. From here on, there will be progress.” (Joshua)

“And, how much did that old man show?” (Hibiki)

“Our side’s cards were not as effective as I thought. That we have proof of them going against our orders and attacked the Kuzunoha Company, the fact that I am a woman, and that the eldest son is currently in the middle of treatment. About that much.” (Joshua)

“…Instead of your secret, wouldn’t it have been better to attack with the dishonest amassing of wealth in this place?” (Hibiki)

“It was a hidden card from their side. He utilized it, so I turned it over. I told him that if he were to expose it, it would chip away the national power of Limia, and he won’t be getting away unscathed from that either.” (Joshua)

“That old man is already old enough to be senile huh. To speak it out without realizing that it wouldn’t even serve as a card.” (Hibiki)

Hibiki sighs as if amazed.

“It probably helped that we crushed most of his surroundings and stole his leeway before tackling the matter regarding the attack to the Kuzunoha Company. It ended with a result that was close to what was planned. He said something admirable like asking me to be lenient towards the nobles that had cooperated in the act.” (Joshua)

“‘Close to’?” (Hibiki)

“…Should I say, as expected of a high noble? At the end, he made a bright smile as he accepted his defeat.” (Joshua)

“Admirable… no, you mean crafty, right?” (Hibiki)

Hibiki rephrases it.

It wasn’t an admirable attitude nor was it a manly one; it meant that Algurio was able to splendidly smooth it over by understanding the situation.

“That’s right. I was expecting him to get exasperated and rage when I cornered him, but after the retirement talk was brought down, leaving aside the matter with his eldest son, he was pretty composed. Looking at that, we can’t lower our guards. It was as if he were announcing that he can still act.” (Joshua)

“How troublesome. So it really was the right choice to reserve that card of the eldest son.” (Hibiki)

Joshua nods at Hibiki’s words.

“If Lord Algurio were to lose the life of his other son as well, we would have literally struck each other down. Limia would have fallen into chaos.” (Joshua)

“For a moment, I also thought about the long term method of having the eldest son die at that time, and wait for the current Head to die from old age though. When thinking about it, a high noble like Hopelace should have seeds spread all over the place, so I thought that successors would be sprouting from here and there, and that’s why I decided it was better to have him feel indebted by saving his eldest son though.” (Hibiki)

“…Hibiki, that’s underestimating Lord Algurio too much. It is certainly true that he has many mistresses, and has as many children with his blood, but…” (Joshua)

“Now there, if I listen to that talk, my evaluation of that old man will only lower. I am actually beginning to feel that I have overestimated him.” (Hibiki)

“But that’s a well-known secret. The children that are accepted as the heirs are only those two. The dead Illumgand, and the eldest son that was in the battlefield. When the mistress had a child, he provided them with plenty enough consolation money and threw them away, after all.” (Joshua)

“…”

Joshua talks about the inhyuman actions of Algurio as if they were not a big deal.

On the other hand, Hibiki responds to the talk about him throwing away mistresses one after the other with a complicated expression.

“A number of them have tried to use the blood relation as a weapon to enter the Hopelace household, but the lord took care of them without exceptions. Playing things are playing things, and it displayed that they did not intend to have them involved in the household. If the eldest son were to die, they would have probably chosen a relative to succeed it.” (Joshua)

“It makes me want to say that he shouldn’t do those kind of plays to begin with. Well, I have now understood well that the protection of the Hopelace household is thorough, but…they are really concerned with the linage.” (Hibiki)

“For good and bad, they are nobles after all.  Even when he is like that, he doesn’t do outrageous things towards the obedient populace, and is also considered a kind and tolerant landlord. For the poor lands he would postpone the tax collection, and when the people increase, he would use his own money in order to increase the farming land and jobs.” (Joshua)

“…However, he lies about the tax that the country has, and the own money he uses is in the end, from the tax that he obtained from the people and he uses it to enrich his own clothing.” (Hibiki)

“…That’s why I said, for good and bad. And in reality, the Hopelace territory is famous for being easy to live in, and he is being evaluated as an excelling landlord.” (Joshua)

For Limia, the Hopelace territory is known to be easy to live in and being a wealthy land.

Many people enter it, and there are few who want to leave.

As long as the people are obedient, Algurio shows them a government that recompenses it after all.

Of course, this was simply a difference between obvious exploitation and ingenious exploitation though.

That’s why the reputation of the Kuzunoha Company in the territories influenced by the Hopelace household was so bad.

It was obvious since rumours were flowing around.

From the rumours that have been circulating, the one that is most consolidated is that Kuzunoha is evil and Hopelace is just.

For the people that live without problems and are actually being cared for by their feudal lord, Algurio, there’s no way they would think of him as evil, so this is also an obvious result.

Moreover, the tax profit that he provides to the royal family is more than that of other territories, even when he is reported to do fraudulent practices.

A company that is an enemy of the Hopelace, even if they are guests invited by the royal family, there were many nobles and general residents who didn’t welcome this.

Hibiki and Joshua utilized this.

As a move to destroy the nobles that were too into the old doctrine of noble supremacy.

With the attack of Raidou as the onset, they snuffed out the people that acted on a sense of defeat while Raidou was in his stay at Limia.

Lime Latte worked as a cooperator of the company, so the plan advanced smoothly, and combined with the evidence they had gathered of frauds until now of the many nobles, they were able to put it in motion.

And so, the Kuzunoha Company were used as bait.

By the way, Raidou doesn’t know of this.

Because not all of the interferences reached him after all.

He was simply slightly bothered by the fact that he made the priestess collapse, leisurely gazed at the recovery of Limia, and moderately ignored the talk about business.

Mio had sensed something shady to a certain degree, but she limited herself to simply brushing away the sparks. Because she already had an objective bigger than that, which is to have Raidou learn that Hibiki is a person he can’t be together with.

After being promised by Hibiki that she would be giving retribution to the assassins and the ones involved, Lime was persuaded.

In the depths of Lime’s heart, he felt anger. He was sure that it wouldn’t be disadvantageous for the company, so he decided to cooperate.

“But in that case, even if we were to have the eldest son be slightly indebted, it doesn’t seem like we will be able to cajole the Hopelace household. As I thought, it might be necessary to prepare ourselves for a long term solution.” (Hibiki)

Hibiki recalls the time when she saved the Hopelace’s eldest son in the battlefield.

He is faithful to his father, and even though he is young, Hibiki didn’t feel youth in him.

Even if he were to become the Head, she is sure that he would be heavily influenced by Algurio.

The trouble will most likely continue.

But well, thanks to Kuzunoha Company, the situation has progressed quite a lot, so looking at the whole picture, it is a positive result.

She knew this isn’t the time to be dejected, so she renewed her mood.

“Even if we have the puppet of Lord Algurio take over the household, there’s not much meaning. That’s why…” (Joshua)

“…”

Hibiki was about to answer with a ‘right’, but seeing that Joshua’s words still continued, she makes a dubious expression.

“Let’s change him.” (Joshua)

“…How?” (Hibiki)

“The ones changing gentlemen are always women, right?” (Joshua)

“To reach that conclusion, I feel like you have been reading and listening to literary works way too much.” (Hibiki)

“Really? I admit that I am a young woman with a lot of superficial knowledge of sex, but I think that it is actually an effective method, you know? At the very least, I think there’s  plenty enough worth in trying.” (Joshua)

Joshua speaks with a serious face.

“There’s no disadvantages for us in doing it, but…” (Hibiki)

The enunciation of Hibiki’s words was bad.

“He is currently looking at his lost arm and thinning legs in despair. It is said that the best moment to make someone fall is when they are weakened.” (Joshua)

“You are planning on doing it immediately?” (Hibiki)

It was a vulgar talk, but Hibiki didn’t retort to the contents and asked if they were going to be sending someone directly while he is still in the middle of his treatment.

It seems like Hibiki also thinks that it is a good moment to do it.

“I have already begun. The ones nursing him are all experienced children of houses with a somewhat high standing and strong people. The appearance and age are all within the range of his likes that have been determined beforehand. There’s around 6 of them gathered.” (Joshua)

“…”

Hibiki is speechless that the plan has already started.

She thought that it was great she didn’t say anything about her going to visit him herself and changing his own thinking.

Because it would turn into getting in the way of Joshua after all.

“The only thing we can’t do anything about is his arm. There will be six people working on his treatment and nursing, so by the time his legs recover and he is able to move, he would have probably placed his hands on one of them.” (Joshua)

“As expected, that arm can’t be helped huh. But Joshua, even if you say that you have something to do with those women and he does place a hand on them, aren’t the chances of them going out or marrying pretty low? To change him, I think there’s the need of at least that much good will though.” (Hibiki)

When Hibiki saved him, his right arm had rotted, and that poison was about to further corrode his body.

Both of his legs were mangled, and from its looks, it seemed to be completely late.

It is safe to say that he was saved mostly because of luck.

At that instant, she cut off his right arm, only did emergency treatment, and just in case, she brought his right arm back as well, but Hibiki thought that that arm was already beyond saving.

And that really was the case.

Actually, just having his legs connected can be considered worthy of praise for the healing magicians.

“If those six make him fall that’s good; even if it ends as just playing around…I still have a certain one prepared just in case.” (Joshua)

“A certain one?” (Hibiki)

“Professed to be a top-grade healing magician, but in truth, she is the number one wife candidate.” (Joshua)

“Chiya-chan is definitely a no.” (Hibiki)

Hearing that she was a top-class healer, Hibiki mentions her comrade Chiya as a joke.

“If I did something like that, not only would it be a diplomatic strife with Lorel, it would instantly turn into war.” (Joshua)

“Then I am relieved. And, is it someone I know?” (Hibiki)

“No. In the eyes of Hopelace, it would be the second daughter of a slightly lower ranked house. ‘Divorced once, and no kids’.” (Joshua)

“Did he have that kind of taste?” (Hibiki)

“Whether she is a housewife or a widow, he doesn’t care. It is just that he seems to have a strange taste for older women.” (Joshua)

“For the Limia nobles, they normally say that past their twenties, the value of the woman falls after all. Even though there’s still much more to develop as a woman. In that point, there are way too many idiots. Then, is that second daughter a leftover? In other words, desperate?” (Hibiki)

“She is already 23 after all. I think that internally, she is quite impatient already. There were no marriage proposals in this one year, and she jumped on my proposal. The other party is a Hopelace, so there weren’t any complains from the parents. It was an immediate answer.” (Joshua)

“That person is your real card? Is it going to be okay?” (Hibiki)

“I will be directing and cooperating, so I think we will be able to expect something though.” (Joshua)

“I see.” (Hibiki)

‘Isn’t it a weak hand?’, is what Hibiki thought.

23 with a history of being divorced, that reduces the worth of a woman in Limia quite a lot.

Leaving aside the man in question, it wouldn’t be easy to convince the parents.

The hurdle is too high and it isn’t something that one can expect much, is what she thought.

“Well, she will be devoutly nursing his loss arm to its original state, so she will probably leave a big impression. Moreover, she matches his own preference and her parentage has no problems, and the girl herself is eager, so in the worst case, she can become a mistress.” (Joshua)

“…Healing his arm, you say? Didn’t you say it was currently impossible?” (Hibiki)

“It is impossible for us. But when I tried to consult about the matter of Hopelace to Raidou, he said that something like that can be easily done.” (Joshua)

“You are saying that he is able to grow an arm out of that shoulder that is still in that dark-purple shade?” (Hibiki)

“He was going to give the job to Mio-dono, saying that if it’s with magic it can be done immediately. But something like that would be noticed by people of Hopelace, so I politely refused. When I asked him if we can do this by treating it with medicine, he said there’s no problem with that either. Of course, because of the process, it increased the price by quite a bit more, but I bought it. After acquiring the information completely, I plan on having the girl that will be doing the treatment to enter.” (Joshua)

The Hopelace house that not only got entangled with the Kuzunoha Company in Rotsgard, they are also the very masterminds that send assassins at them.

Even if it is Raidou, if he were to mention that matter, he could refuse, is what Joshua was also thinking.

But conversely, it could be used as a hand to harass Algurio or the people involved, is how she thought.

And so, while taking utmost care in not having Mio and Lime hold suspicions, she persisted in the conversation with Raidou.

“His arm…with medicine?” (Hibiki)

“It seems it is pills and ointment. There is the need for magic support, but it is an outrageous craft. Well, it helps us quite a lot at this moment though.” (Joshua)

Hibiki mutters with a complicated expression.

Because she was picturing a side to be happy about, and a side that would be troublesome.

“Just like planned, we will have him marry someone within those seven, and if he were to make the others concubines or mistresses, it would make it a lot easier for us. They are all girls that know who prepared the table for them and what they are expected to do after all.” (Joshua)

(My real objective would be getting their gratitude and invite the child of Algurio, Amelia Hopelace…we would be able to not only change the Head, but the whole body of the Hopelace house. If it’s her who doesn’t have any connections, Hibiki and I can easily send retainers that support our notions after all. But that girl is…from the Kuzunoha Company, or more like, the student of him. The variables are so many that I can’t use her. It would be the best if we were to obtain the cooperation of the company, but if by chance, we were to invite displeasure and she ends up in a favorable relationship with a foreign country, all would go down.) (Joshua)

Joshua looks back at one of the ideas she originally had and laughs.

The scholarship student in Rotsgard Academy, Amelia.

It was already investigated that she is the child of Algurio and a mistress.

And so, Joshua knew that Amelia doesn’t think well of the Hopelace house, and she thought that depending on the case, she could ask her to help in their weakening.

Taking into consideration her relationship with Raidou, this idea was not implemented though.

“…I feel like Joshua has plenty possibility to be a ruler. Isn’t it fine to become the queen? If Bredda says something about it, I will persuade him.” (Hibiki)

“Please stop the jokes. I don’t have the capability to become a ruler. A ruler needs to have the strong power of attracting people. The larger the country, the more your individual governmental affairs ability comes into play and you have to work as a symbol of the country, make the people and retainers think of you; that’s what it means to become a ruler. If we talk about people that have experience, by making a careful selection, we would be apply to find as many we want.” (Joshua)

“A symbol that people can hold up high has the ability of a ruler huh. Being a queen has a strong impact, and I think you are plenty qualified though.” (Hibiki)

“That can only be called a curious point. Bredda has the ability to make people help him unconsciously, and support him; that’s the kind of appeal he has. But the one that has a stronger appeal than him, moreover, has practical experience as well is…you, Hibiki.” (Joshua)

“I don’t have the blood of royalty. I am excluded from the very beginning.” (Hibiki)

“It will increase the process by one, but there’s enough ways to do it. For me, that’s the ideal for the future. If the day comes when Limia receives a queen, it shouldn’t be me, but you.” (Joshua)

“Hello? A dependable beautiful friend and collaborator of mine, is encouraging me to marry her little brother. What should I do?” (Hibiki)

“Please accept it. I have opened the path wide, and after that, I plan on watching over from afar as well.” (Joshua)

“…Give me a break.” (Hibiki)

Right now there’s still things to do in Limia kingdom.

The reformation forces centered around Hibiki are gaining power as the capital’s reconstruction advances.

The upheaval that will occur inside Limia, the ones that will work as an explosive agent for that is a small scale company that was invited by them; this truth will not be left in any record.

Just a single person’s memories will that name remain.

The winter that is providing a temporary armistice for sporadic fights.

The Kuzunoha Company and Raidou are existences that will be bringing about a big influence, not only to Limia, but to all the upper stratums of every country. It will become a tacit reality that will be edged in them.

Important Translator Note:

Hello guys! I have found that this is an adequate time to break it down.

It is the time to find one more story to translate!! :OOO
Finally, Isekai translations will actually be about Isekai and not only about Tsuki, lol.

If you guys have any suggestions, leave them in the comments as *Suggestion:* and I will be checking it out. Of course, the selection will be done by me as my personal enjoyment is important ;D! So don’t hesitate and suggest away! Preferably a long story and it has to be a web novel. *Don’t want to get caught in legal stuff*.

Looking forward to what you guys suggest! NO NTR AND RAPE please. Thanks.

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0 thoughts on “Chapter 213: Today Kuzunoha leaves, and Limia must be having it hard”

  1. What planet did the MC and the heroes grew up in again cuz I highly thought it was Earth cuz ain’t no way in earth that 3 random ppl can be picked and all be fckn idiot like one can’t seems to see in front of her another one is to gullible and the other is a fckn loser who thinks he’s special like bruh there’s no way in hell y’all grew up in Earth

    1. well man, they are basically three random people chosen by the goddess,
      two people were chosen because of their beautiful faces and the other one was forced to join because of the debt owed by his family to the goddess.
      and also in our world there are still many people worse off than them.

  4. I know that this was years ago when you asked for a new wn but… Can you also take Tondemo isekai skill hourou meshi? It’s currently at 400+ now but still is in 176 atm. I would like to fund this as well. This place has all my favorite novels and would like to see it here as well

  6. I am probably months late, and when I finish this story I will probably find out what you have chos3n, however i would still like to make my request. It isn’t a specific title, but rather a trait. I want an isekai story where the MC is unique in his world travel/reincarnation. I find the thing I like least in all these stories is. “hey look. another world traveller” doubly so if they knew each other beforehand. However just about every isekai story I have read eventually brings out more worldhoppers

  7. “Just a single person’s memories will that name remain.” -> this is the depressing part of Japanese culture that I hate. I presume the ending will be shit-like. Countless novels had to had the ending extended or changed because it was trash.

  13. hum…. well there could be two i would like to see, but i don’t know if it’s really something recommendable, and it’s just my personal liking
    one is a 180° turn in term of genre as it’s a space opera :
    Me, Her, and the Ballistic Weaponry [Antique]

    there’s already “Inlitify OA” that translated 4 chapter but….it doesn’t seem like they’ll be going for more…at first it was “the time to finish XXXX translation” but it’s finished since february and still no update….

    and the other would be : Reincarnated into a Werewolf, the Demon Lord Servants

    it wass being translated by saigo translation, but stopped for some stupid reason, like the guy contacted the author for some reason i don’t know and don’t really care about, wich handed in this one saying some stuff and the guy stoped translating trying to get news from the author and editorial
    wich seem to have in a recent news said that they don’t grant authorisation
    so i don’t know if seigo was actually translating the light novel or the web novel
    but if it was the wab novel, then this is stupid, since the principle of a webnovel is that it’s put freely online, so translating is shouldn’t be a problem
    granted there is a webnovel, it would be great to see it translated again….

  15. ku ku ku , well fret not for i have a novel thou shall enjoy !!

    Isekai Meikyuu no Saishinbu wo Mezasou

    this hidden gem has best type of character in the best type of setting with the best type of power

    it even has a ln with more than 7 volume , now look how beautiful the illustrations are , is just what you need to put you in the atmosphere of the novel !

    http://lndb.info/light_novel/Isekai_Meikyuu_no_Saishinbu_wo_Mezasou (scroll down for the covers )

  19. Please get Re:Monsters I think it’s dead for a while and don’t actually know what’s currently happening to it. Lol xD

  30. Suggestion: Mai Kitsune Waifu

    Great series, would love if you translated it. Currently Subuda11 is translating it, but they have not updated it in about a month and a half which is unusual. If you read the first 15 chapters you will be hooked.

  33. The reformation forces centered around Hibiki are gaining power as the capital’s reconstruction advances.

    The upheaval that will occur inside Limia, the ones that will work as an explosive agent for that is a small scale company that was invited by them; this truth will not be left in any record.

    Just a single person’s memories will that name remain.

    The winter that is providing a temporary armistice for sporadic fights.

    Is this placement, I misinterpreted it or is it as if Limia were destroyed?

      1. This text was the end of this chapter if you check, I forgot to put in parentheses, the way it was placed, I had such thinking about such placed text

        (The upheaval that will occur inside Limia, the ones that will work as an explosive agent for that is a small scale company that was invited by them; this truth will not be left in any record.)

        (Just a single person’s memories will that name remain.)

        Then I was curious about not being on record or about the memory of a single person, maybe I got confused or had the wrong idea, maybe an event that stays secret, but if I have to say I did not understand very well this part…

    2. I think it just means there would be turmoil within limia, it doesn’t say whether it was destroyed or anything.

    3. This was confusing, I’ll give you that.
      I understood it as : The revolution (nobles) in Limia was greatly supported by Kuzunoha (even though they don’t know nor care !) but that will not be told nor written in books. And that truth will only remain in few persons’ memories.

    4. I’m not understanding the confusion.

      It is just stating that an upheavel will occur inside Limia. Meaning it will suffer some sort of revolution in which the Kuzunoha Company was the pivot – the hatred that the Hopelace family had for them made possible for Hibiki and the Royal family to make (or lead to) changes that will probably cascade into some sort of internal conflict (political or armed).

      If Limia will be destroyed and reconstruct or not, we don’t know yet (we might never). But it could be in the sense that Limia will change – so, theoretically, ‘destroying’ the current state of affairs.

      Either way, I don’t get where did you guys ‘thought’ it said anything about Limia being destroyed.

  34. Thank you for diligently translating this novel Reigokai-sama because it one of my favorites and I am as addicted to this as I was to Shield Hero.
    Suggestion:
    http://www.novelupdates.com/series/gate-jietai-kare-no-chi-nite-kaku-tatakeri/
    this one is great cuz it’s COD vs. Dungeon&Dragons, has been translated certain volumes that match the anime but stopped and picked up before basically dropped again(my guess). It good in my book
    http://www.novelupdates.com/series/rune-troopers/
    same as the other but different settings

    That’s all I got right now, but don’t forget about MoonLed

  38. Hello reigokai-sama. This is my first time leaving a comment, but I want to say that I really love to read the novels that you work on. Thanks for your hard work.

    For a web novel that I recommend translating it would be: http://www.novelupdates.com/series/jikuu-mahou-de-isekai-to-chikyuu-wo-ittarikitari/

    I really loved to read this novel back when it was still updating and since it hasn’t been translated in a while I was wondering if it has been dropped. I wonder if you can work on it. The chapters are short and every chapter is funny. There is slice of life in this series and other genres. If you want to know more please refer to the novel updates page.

  48. you clearly send assassins in order to murder them, right?” (Joshua), changes to:

    you clearly sent assassins in order to murder them, right?” (Joshua)

  49. i think hibiki and joshua are too paranoid with raido power, he is just a normal super powerful guy that wants to sell some stuff and live in peace

      1. This is true, however they have absolutely no way of knowing that. We as readers do know this, so could justify this paranoia, but they do not. The only characters who know that he has brought calamity upon the world in the parallel dimensions are Makoto, Shiva, probably the other gods who visited Asora, and possibly Tomoe. They have almost nothing to base their paranoia on, as his actions show a desire to just be left alone and sell his goods. They should if anything realize his power, and do anything in their power to keep it so that no one interferes with Kuzunoha, not prepare to sacrifice thousands of people to send him back home, that is if he accepts their offer. He clearly has shown a stance of not wanting to be hostile towards them unless they were to attack him. They just need to keep the other major powers away from him and they would be fine.

        1. Wait, huh? I’m not exactly sure I get your argument.

          All the major powers that know anything about good sense are afraid that Makoto will use his power to cause them great harm. They first all tried to get him in their pocket, but then it became eliminating a threat which quickly jumped to “don’t make him an enemy”. Despite leaving him alone is exactly what he wants, they also can’t leave him alone precisely because they want to take care to not be his enemy. It’s an oxymoron, but that’s how it is.

          Makoto did destroy the world, which validates their fears as being real(actually, even worse than what they fear to a degree).

    2. It’s a very human reaction. Makoto is a very powerful individual working for NO ONE. Governments really hate that. And average people wouldn’t like it too. There’s no accountability. Not to mention we humans really don’t like having something powerful that can effect our lives outside our control.

      1. I remember few chapters back someone quoting Jack Sparrow saying
        “It’s the honest one you need to watch out for, because you cannot predict when going to so something incredibly…. stupid”
        That words ring so true for Makoto….
        You will never know, he has no hidden motive, his card is open, but it’s all wild card like that cursed friend breaker black UNO card.
        Now… what are going to do if he says, “I’m gonna….”
        In every scenario they can only imagine someone will lose something, BIG. and they will do anything to make sure they are not the one to lose.

        It will be best if he not playing his card at all. That’s why Waterfall and Zeff move is probably the right one. I just hope Hibiki also realise that the best solution is to make Makoto get no chance or will to use that card.

  50. Suggestion! 😀 :

    Hon Issatsu de Kototariru Isekai Rurō Monogatari – i dunno if someone is gonna pick it up
    Din no Monshou – has been updated last december and no word since then
    Kenja no Mago – It seems like the old translators is taking doing a “wait-n-see” activity on who will pick it up
    Isekai Mahou wa Okureteru – update has been very vague and it’s such a waste not to continue it because it has such an interesting plotline

  51. http://www.novelupdates.com/series/sayonara-ryuusei-konnichiwa-jinsei/

    amazing novel abandoned to itself for more than a year.

    i know it’s not exactly a “reincarnation in another wolrd” novel but a reincarnation in the same wolrd as a different species after X hundred years, but it’s an amazing reincarnation novel that definetly deserves some love after a long time.

    the description might be a bit silly, but i assure is wonderfully written and not as silly as the description makes it looks like

    the first arc of the novel has been completely translated in 2015 by Binhjamin and the translation’s quality is really high, so i highly recommend reading it anyway.

    chapter 16 has been translated in 06/2016 by zenith novel but there’s been no update since then and the quality was simply horrible (practically fresh out of a machine translator), so you might need to retranslate that one if you decide to pick it up.

    well, i’ve given my 2 cents and shamelessly tried to help one of my favourites novels, now let’s wait XD.

      2. Yeah… probably not a good idea to bring up licensed material.
        It’s just NGNLis too good (for my taste) I already collecting it’s physical translated book (offical) in my languange, but the project are progressing so slowly.
        There’s some series that on my must-have list
        This series
        NGNL
        Overlord

        Probably some other like LDM and Danmachi, but those 3 are my top priority.

    1. What are you making that assumption of him only translating is he gets a donation off of? He consistently releases every two or three weeks. He is the only translator on that website, and of the three editors that are actually listed on their site, none of them are active. There is a progress bar at the bottom of the site that is almost always going up in percentage every day, and the translator is trying to get a master’s degree, so I believe the release rate is perfectly reasonable. Yes, the release rate may be slow, but there is nothing that points to him only translating when he receives a donation. Not only that, they have been translating this series for six volumes now, and haven’t really let the people down, so you shouldn’t be trying to get Reigokai to take it off of their hands. It’s starting to really bother me that people have been continuously suggesting projects that are currently being translated.

  55. Please translate Kou 1 Desu ga Isekai de Joushu Hajimemashita it has a really good story plot. However, there’s someone else already translating but its only 4 chapters last translation was feb 16.

    1. It’s story so far what i got from manga seems quite similar to tsuki? But different at the same time. The main characther becomes the lord of the town he was summoned to and he likes the role of leading people and is pretty smart however he does not have any op power(as of what i’ve read from manga) thus my meaning of similar but different.hence im sure you would enjoy it too.

      1. Yeah! I’d like to recommend that project too! It’s nice and interesting story about managing, developing and uniting a town in a fantasy world. It gives a ‘start in small rural town and make it in the capital of the great empire’ vibe with max cuteness (judging by the manga).

        I hoped for Tsuki to become like that too, but it went into other direction.

  56. I have to say, it was a good decision to use a (slow) chapter like this to make that announcement, seeing how most comments here are about suggestions for another we, rather than discussing the actual chapter.

    Anyway, I think Joshua and that Hopelace kid unknowingly dodged the bullet there, when Joshua refused to have Mio regrow that arm (because they need a solution that takes a long time instead). I wouldn’t be surprised if Mio made it as painful as she could, given the trouble Hopelace family has caused her dear Waka-sama.

    Also, too bad Joshua is trying so hard to have Hopelace back off from Kuzunoha. If they want that obstacle removed, they should encourage them to go all out, then send Mio a message. What can I say? I want to see the world burn. 😀

    If they played it right, they could probably convince Mio to only eliminate the most troublesome members of Hopelace family (though there would still be a lot of collateral damage), quietly convince the rest that it would be safer for them to keep a low profile (lest the spider strikes again), then give Hibiki a noble title and let her manage the Hopelace territory as her own.

    Since Hibiki is so devoted to Limia, not only would she not embezzle from her tax income (she already has everything she needs provided for, and she doesn’t strike me as greedy where her personal wealth is concerned), she would also aim to modernize the territory using her knowledge from Earth. My guess is that currently she’s actually held back a lot by the old nobles’ reluctance to change things.

    1. The thing is, governing a realm is a lot more complicated than being a student council president of a school. Not to mention the Hopelace are loved by their subject. If Hibiki was brought in to replace them, she would be hated by the populace, even if she is a hero. Another thing you’re forgetting, is that feudal lords have armies of their own. Replacing with someone from outside the family can easily lead to civil war.

      1. The people wouldn’t be a problem, since the head of the family, as well as those most likely to fight Joshua on this would have been killed by a giant Calamity Spider, and not the kingdom.

        The rest of the family, would be “encouraged” to refuse taking over the territory.

        As for Hibiki being too busy and not having the necessary knowledge and experience, the same is true for Makoto. Therefore the same solution should work for Hibiki. She can delegate.

        Hibiki has a lot of competent people hanging on her every word, including many of the young nobles. She has a large pool of competent people she can recruit to take care of the day to day operations.

        She only needs to make the plans, and let her followers take care of implementing them.

        1. If Hibiki is gonna delegate anyway, doesn’t their original plan of brainwashing Hopelace’s son and using him as a figurehead work pretty well already?

          1. It’s certainly the path of least resistance, which is a win in my book (sloth being my sin of choice), and I’m not actually arguing against it.

            It was just a scenario I was hoping for (and tried to justify) due to my desire to see Mio rampage a little, and at the same time get rid of the Hopeless ones. 😀

    2. I wonder what the best way to facilitate change is when nobility gets in your way?

      If I remember The Art Of War correctly, Sun Tzu’s recommendation was, depending how easily they yield:

      Ignore them -> Distract them -> Execute them

    3. i dont think there will be ‘collateral damage’ as Mio consider ‘EVERYONE THAT HURT WAKA’ to instant DEATH JUDGEMENT, its hard to think that Mio will comply anyone suggestion beside Makoto, Tomoe, Shiki (probably) and the Asoran

      1. True, they need to persuade Makoto before they can request Mio for anything.
        And from what I saw, Makoto not given anycare and clueless about the situation with hopelaces, if someone asking him to use Mio for this and that he will probably answers with “huh ? Why?”

        1. It’s already been established that Makoto is generally the hands-off kind of leader, and that his followers are very independent.

          I think it has even been implied that they rarely consult with Makoto before doing anything. Rather they tend to simply report to him anything they think he needs to know, when it becomes relevant to him, and otherwise they act under their own initiative.

          Of course, they always act in a way they consider beneficial to Makoto and his plans, but that may not always be exactly what Makoto himself has in mind. Not that he is particularly bothered by it in the end.

      2. beside, even with the hopeless scheming ,Mio still in ‘docile’ mode even though she know that they already ask for her RETRIBUTION she still tell hibiki to take care of the problem , we know that she now quite flaunting and letting them know about Makoto ‘True Power’ and i can really imagining if her ‘brake for now’ set lose and she just ‘TEHE PERO’ when Makoto ask ‘what are you doing Mio ?’ when he suddenly just saw some gouged land

      3. I think it’s very likely that Mio would do as they ask for something like that.

        The reason she’s not just going out to annihilate the Hopelace family, is because her Waka-sama still wants to play with the Hyumans, pretending to be a merchant.

        Mio knows that if she simply went on a rampage, it would inconvenience her Waka-sama, so she is restraining herself.

        However, if Joshua or Hibiki told her “how convenient would it be for some kind of disaster to befall the Hopelace family. Like a certain Calamity Spider suddenly making an appearance” *wink* *wink*, Mio wouldn’t hesitate.

        After all, she sees no demerit to Waka-sama from that action. On the contrary, she would be getting rid of someone who is actively trying to get in Makoto’s way.

        Even if Hibiki or Joshua were foolish enough to try to kill two birds with one stone and use this as an opportunity to get rid of Hopelace, and at the same time announce to all Hyumans how evil Kuzunoha is for attacking “good” people like the Hopelace family simply because they didn’t want Kuzunoha operating a store in their territory, Mio wouldn’t see it as a bad thing.

        After all, if they were going to do something like that ,then they would have come up with a different scheme instead if she refused. So it would only be a difference of “when”, not “if”.

        This way at least she would be able to make Makoto cut his ties to Hibiki that much sooner.

  57. E? Heibon Desu Yo?

    This story needs so much love. It’s honestly my fav setting for a story and it just screams for more chapters.

  58. Thanks for the chapter.

    I somehow can’t read this chapter title without it coming out in some kind of sarcastic tone.

    For novel suggestion… well everyone else already recommended some and they are all pretty good. Personally I wanted to see a translation of the bastard teacher akashic record or Gawoware but those two is a light novel.

    1. Stop being lazy and serach the internet, arifureta and world teacher are being translated quite frequently you know?

  65. Thanks for the chapter. My suggestion for translation is ” the magnificent battle records of a former noble lady”

    The story is set 2 years after the otome-game-like ending where the villainous noble lady is banished from the kingdom by his former fiancee and the transported heroine. This time however the kingdom is in peril from monsters and the only one that is good enough to help them is a world-renowned adventurer. Three guesses as to who that adventurer is, and the first two don’t count. Hilarity and satisfying verbal beatdowns ensues.

  66. Suggestion:
    In my opinion better concentrate on “Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu” and when it caught up with author take the new projects so that the translation speed is not dropped, especially less than half(1/4[2/5]?) characters left, or usually when the translator of one project pick up another, оne falls on the other аnd not one goes as it should If not worse. Many translations collapsed like this already!

    PS. And if you really can’t without a new project then I advise pick up “Ryuugoroshi no Sugosuhibi” he in many ways resemble Tsuki and with him happened the situation described above.(http://www.novelupdates.com/series/ryuugoroshi-no-sugosuhibi/)

    2. Personally I agree with Aoi-san here. Focus on one till it catches up with the main author then go to another project. But I’m probably biased since I really like Tsuki and am hoping that the translating speeds don’t get slowed if possible 😛😅

  68. It will be hard for Reigokai to go through all comments.
    Though some suggestions are the same due to popularity, the final decision is still up to Reigokai.
    Hope you will choose the best to work on.

    1. I wonder if we should compile them into a single list without repeats in a comment thread.

      It would make it easier on bot Reigokai, and any people who might be interested in picking up a good read.

      2. Not to mention some of the suggestions are titles that has been translated recently. One of them was a week ago according to someone who followed it.

    1. konjiki no wordmaster is still being translated by Anri.

      She updates a couple of chapters a week, but is taking a break this week. Translations will resume next week.

  70. Thanks for the chapter Reigo-san~

    Kenja no Mago! Please, I think it was dropped. The story is interesting so If possible, I would like to read the continuation of this LN.

    THANKS!

  71. nice chapter xd, and my Suggestion:

    After Transformation, Mine and Her Wild Fantasy 变身之后我与她的狂想曲
    http://book.sfacg.com/Novel/42229/MainIndex/

    Reincarnated as a Dragon’s Egg 転生したらドラゴンの卵だった ～最強以外目指さねぇ～
    http://ncode.syosetu.com/n4698cv/

    I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated 転生したら剣でした
    http://ncode.syosetu.com/n6006cw/

    In novelaupdate.com these novels have already been started, but I mention them because they are stagnant and possibly interested in reading or translating in the future.
    ps: sorry, i user tranlstor to write

  72. damn…i lol’ed quite hard on this

    ” Finally, Isekai translations will actually be about Isekai and not only about Tsuki, lol.”

    and gj on translation mate

      1. Isekai mahou wa okureteru hasn’t been dropped? Both the ln and wn are being translated, albeit slowly for the ln.

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