MV – Chapter 142: Parents and the Minor Villain

In the training room that Lanpeach had set up in the Lanpeach Complex, he was facing off against Mira.

To the untrained eye -or even to an expert- both of them appeared to be standing casually, full of openings. However, both of them, having surpassed the limits of human abilities, knew that there were no openings between them.

“Eh~… Isn’t that just some joke from the Surface District?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach took a light step, creating several afterimages, and unleashed a punch faster than a bullet, whipping up a gust of wind. Thanks to the afterimage effect, it appeared as if multiple punches were being thrown.

“It’s not funny even as a joke. I’m not sure which grand prix you’re aiming for, but you’re definitely losing in the first round.” (Mira)

Mira stood on tiptoes with a squeak as her feet brushed the floor and caught his punch as though she were plucking a leaf from the air. Then, she spun and tried to deliver an elbow strike to his side.

She saw through the afterimage, and countered Lanpeach’s real punch while attempting a counterattack. He hastily twisted his body to avoid the elbow, then transitioned to a high kick, countering her counterattack.

But Mira spun like a ballet dancer, blocking the start of his high kick with her elbow. The two continued their exchange, their attacks missing each other like actors in a play, ending with a flurry of crossed punches and kicks.

With neither landing a hit, Lanpeach lightly stepped back and adjusted his stance, glancing at Sage, who had come to report.

“So, it’s 10 billion Ele, right? There was also, uh…” (Lanpeach)

“It’s business. I’m sure they want to become hunters. Quite the ambitious people, aren’t they?” (Mira)

“Whoa!?” 

Just as Mira casually said that, Lanpeach suddenly lost his balance as if he had been tripped.

He tried to regain his footing, but another shock ran through his legs, and before he knew it…Mira had closed the distance and kicked him in the solar plexus, sending him sprawling. 

He gave a bitter smile while lying on his back, arms and legs spread. Looking down, he saw the shadow of a miniature Mira, darting around his feet.

“…So, this is how it’s really used, huh?” (Lanpeach)

“Exactly. The correct use of the Evil Night Stalker isn’t to create a life-sized shadow doll, but rather to make a small, child-sized shadow that disrupts the enemy’s movements or swaps places with the user. However, once it’s seen through, the Evil Night Stalker in itself is a weak demon. It’s a demon when it comes to surprise attacks and ambushes.” (Mira)

Mira brushed her crow-black hair back and puffed out her chest.

“You are playing around with the word demon, aren’t you?” (Lanpeach)

“Fufufu, I definitely won the grand prix. Please add ten more side dishes to tonight’s dinner.” (Mira)

She puffed out her chest with a proud stance, so far that she fell backward and let out a yelp. She is a clumsy girl.

“I see… So, this Chefei guy was an inexperienced demon. He just honestly created a clone and attacked after all.” (Lanpeach)

The reason Mira had sparred with him was to teach him the terror of demons. Lanpeach realized how troublesome demon skills really were and sighed at the realization.

“He was a newly formed demon and lacked combat experience. If I had the same skill, you would have remained jobless forever, Pla-san.” (Mira)

“I’m not jobless! I became a hunter, remember? See, not jobless.” (Lanpeach)

“Oh, right, I forgot. You’re at that age where you want to call yourself a hunter.” (Mira)

“Maybe I really should add ten side dishes…” (Lanpeach)

“I knew it. You’re aiming to become a chef. I believed in you, Pla-san. You’re going to prepare a full-course meal for me since I believed in you, right? For dessert, I expect the finest delicacy made with swallow’s nest.” (Mira)

Mira changed her stance and approach effortlessly like a round pebble. Lanpeach chuckled at her antics as he stood up with a stretch.

“Still, their actions are way too unpredictable. I expected them to live extravagantly for four or five years, but they blew through their money way faster than I thought. I underestimated my parents.” (Lanpeach)

“I underestimated the ways of an Armed Family as well. Even though they’re no longer in power, they still remember how they thrived in the past. They remembered the same methods.” (Sage)

Sage, who had been observing from the side of the room, also gave a troubled smile. It made sense, as the plan had originally been to give them 1 billion Ele. If Lanpeach had been in their position, he would have happily lived a lazy life. Socializing? He would have kicked it aside, thinking it pointless.

“Thanks for the hard work, Lan. Um… you were so fast I couldn’t really tell what was going on.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro approached with quick steps, handing him a towel and tending to him attentively.

“Thanks, Chihiro. Well, it’s impossible for a regular person to follow that. Don’t worry about it.” (Lanpeach)

He responded while wiping off his sweat with the towel. Indeed, it would have been impossible to see. They were moving at high speed while using [Super Senses] to make time seem slower after all.

“Good work, Soldier. Uh, wanna drink this sports drink?” (Libra)

“Thank you, I was just getting thirsty. I’d drink it even if I wasn’t. Where are the tea snacks?” (Mira)

“I prepared the large 1.5-liter size for Mira. Hey, don’t drink both!” (Libra)

For some reason, Mira swiftly grabbed the sports drink prepared for Libra, then snatched the larger one too, and started drinking both. An angry Libra tried to grab her, but with her stats at level 3, she couldn’t even touch Mira.

These two moved into the Lanpeach Complex after the colony revitalization was complete. It was apparently fine for them not to be in the colony anymore.

Chihiro has become more attentive lately, sticking close to Lanpeach, which made him rather happy. Especially since Libra had a tendency for more frequent body contact, so Chihiro seemed to be viewing her as a rival.

Well, leaving them to their own devices was fine. Lanpeach’s mind was occupied with more pressing concerns. Money wasn’t a problem. He didn’t need much anymore, and he had plenty left over. Even handing over 10 billion Ele was something he could easily afford.

“The issue is the work. I don’t want to let those people into the colony.” (Lanpeach)

With the colony’s revitalization, the farms and ranches had been unlocked as well. This allowed for a significant supply of crops and dairy products, which Lanpeach had confirmed. The problem now was how to handle the exports.

“The crops you mentioned for import… If it’s as we’ve heard, we could monopolize the food supply for Eldarge 15. With that much money moving…” (Sage)

Sage hesitated, and Lanpeach scratched his head with a wry smile.

“I don’t want to trust untrustworthy people with it. They’d surely resort to embezzlement or corruption.” (Lanpeach)

“Then you can just ignore them, is what I want to say, but I’m sure Father and Mother would make a fuss…” (Nono)

Even the strong-willed Nono made a grim face, reading their parents’ behavior.

“It’d be easy to shut them out, but them making a scene at the front gate would be annoying enough. And there are plenty of ways for them to make noise. If we kick them out, some other Armed Family will likely take them in and use it as an excuse to stir up trouble.” (Lanpeach)

It wasn’t just incompetence. These were people who would actively drag him down. Having them retire from this world would get rid of future troubles, but he couldn’t stomach that approach.

“I don’t have time to waste on this nonsense, but what to do…” (Lanpeach)

Weak characters that would only drag down the party were useless.

“Have a good idea. Leave the ranch portal to them. If your theory is right, don’t need that ranch anymore since the colony has food. But since it’ll still make money, they won’t complain. And Mira, time for you to spar with me next. Prize is some caramel candy.” (Dry)

Dry strolled in and took a stance in the middle of the room. Mira, like a moth to a flame, followed her and assumed her stance as well.

(I see, that might actually be a good idea.) (Lanpeach) 

“They don’t know about the colony, so they probably think our main business is selling food through the ranch portal. That’s a great idea, Dry. If we hand it over to them like it’s an important job, they’ll accept it. Plus, it’s a profitable business.” (Lanpeach)

The minor villain laughed with an ‘ukekeke’. He hated giving them any work at all, but ignoring the problem wouldn’t lead to anything good either.

“Alright, then. About that 10 billion Ele. Go ahead and give it to them. Oh, and tell them they’ll be managing a large estate and taking care of the job I just mentioned. And let them know I’m too busy to meet them.” (Lanpeach)

“Understood. I will do exactly that.” (Sage)

“What?! Stepbrother, isn’t that a little too lenient? You don’t need to give them the money, right? It’s 10 billion, you know, 10 billion!” (Nono)

Sage nodded in agreement, but Nono opposed the idea.

(I don’t like it either, but that’s exactly why.) (Lanpeach)

“The key to sucking sweet nectar is to sip it thin and long through a straw. But those guys have never had a taste of that nectar before, so they don’t know how to pace themselves.” (Lanpeach)

“Do you mean you’re setting a trap?” (Chihiro)

“Exactly. The parents just want to play the role of head of the family, but what about the branch family members who suddenly get a huge sum of money, completely different from how they’ve lived so far? If we keep an eye on them for a while, it’ll become clear. I’m sure some Krita somewhere will come up with a scheme to sell things under the table.” (Lanpeach)

The minor villain nodded at Chihiro’s words and let out a wicked smile, predicting that the result would come within six months at the latest.

━━━ It worked out even better than expected, and they were kicked out just a month later, but that’s another story.

“Time will resolve this issue, so let’s move on to our real task. We need to check on the colony. I plan to make the new portal only accessible to the colony’s large farm and the terminal.” (Lanpeach)

(I’d love to see the expansive farm where crops are harvested. It’s a space colony after all. I wonder if there are farms up in the sky, too.) (Lanpeach)

“Hah! I feel my senses tingling! You’re going to space, right? Of course, I’m coming along too!”

As soon as space was mentioned, Touka, who has nearly superhuman instincts, burst through the door. No surprise from the girl who wouldn’t hesitate to sell her soul to aliens.

“Hey, hey, Papa-shan, if I win the shparring match, do I get a shnack?” (Koume)

“That’s right-usa yo. My info is spot-on-usa.”

“I’ll win easily and get them to make a cake-usa.”

“Fufufu, when it comes to his daughter, I’m sure he’ll let her win-usa yo.” 

The mischievous rabbits entered, guiding the little girl with evil laughter. Those rabbits are always sharp when it comes to stuff like this. 

In the end, Dry lost after just one flick on the forehead, and the caramel candy was snatched away. A little more mercy, please.

“Since I lost, I guess it’s time to spar.” (Lanpeach)

“Koume will go first! Koume punch!” (Koume)

“Whoaaa, I lost~! Koume, you’re so strong!” (Lanpeach)

“Kya~! I won! Koume is sho shtrong!” (Koume)

Lanpeach took his stance, and Koume, with her tiny fists clenched, came running at him with little steps before tapping him lightly with a poof. So, Lanpeach collapsed dramatically before the mighty punch. Peak doting parent.

(Though I lost to the powerful Koume, I can’t hold back against the rabbits, who are behind me ready with squeaky hammers.) (Lanpeach)

He turned around and smiled at them.

“Usaaa! Everyone, attack all at once-usaa!”

“Hyahaa! Cook a full-course carrot meal-usaa!”

“Face our triple combo atta—kyaa!”

Of course, the rabbits transformed into bagworms.

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