Previous Chapter l Next Chapter

“Sweets buffet, sweets buffet-deshu! I’m sho excited. If I take a nap, maybe the party will come faster!” (Mei)

The little girl, whose head was filled with thoughts of the sweets buffet, let out a satisfied hum and skipped away. However, she wasn’t very good at it and soon took a tumble.

“Aw, I fell. My donuts…” (Mei)

The little girl Mei picked up her donuts teary-eyed.

Lanpeach wanted to help, but he held back. This might be the most guilt he’s ever felt. The form of a little girl truly is the strongest weapon. Mei, the fate demon, is terrifying.

The little girl wiped her tears and placed the donuts back in her pocket and went on her way.

Lanpeach was relieved to see the formidable little girl leave. But to others, she must look like an elite secretary. It’s a strange feeling.

[Not good. I don’t think I can win if that little girl is the mastermind. I have to do something.] (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach trembled inwardly, realizing she might truly be the strongest. Killing a little girl is a no-go whether it is socially or in a game.

[The mastermind isn’t Mei; it’s Ai. But an eternal little girl might get sweets from everyone, which sounds like a good deal. I should have set myself as a little girl too.] (Mira)

[Please don’t do that. That’d make me the guy who relies on a little girl. That’s just sad.] (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach sighed at the usual greedy words of Mira and started thinking about how to deal with that girl…

[Well, for now, I’ll deal with the main target.] (Lanpeach)

A man built like a barrel entered with a heavy stride just as Toko and Mei were leaving.

Onodera Bacchus. Head of an Armed Family and one of the game’s protagonists.

◇◇

There was no mistaking his timing. He appeared right after Toko and the others left.

His body was broader than it was tall, built like a barrel -not due to fat but packed muscle. The dwarf-like, red-faced man with a beard covering half his face looked like a brawn-over-brain type. But from those knobby fingers, he displayed unexpected dexterity just the same as a fantasy world.

His lion-like hair and beard exuded the presence of a powerful figure. He is truly formidable as head of an Armed Family and one of the Powder of Elements’ protagonists, Onodera Bacchus.

The moment he entered the dojo, he walked straight through the people working busily without caring about troubling them, making way for himself as if parting the seas, and heading toward Lanpeach without hesitation.

“Gahaha! What an unfortunate accident, Lanpeach-dono! Oh, wait, do I need to introduce myself? Let’s do that just in case. I am Onodera Bacchus, head of the Onodera Family and, sadly, a manager who gets worked to the bone!” (Bacchus)

An overly friendly, back-slapping type. There are always people like this who act overly familiar even upon first meeting.

Lanpeach didn’t particularly like this type of people. People with this kind of attitude rarely listen and tend to bulldoze conversations, firmly sticking to their own opinions.

“I’m Lanpeach Kouza. This name is known much more, so stick with Lanpeach, not Shukou.” (Lanpeach)

Well, he was a business associate, so Lanpeach couldn’t just make a displeased expression like a child, so he smiled back.

Lanpeach thought it was a gentle smile that relieved tension, but Bacchus’s face twitched, and he took a step back. It seems Lanpeach made a great first impression.

“But isn’t it a bit hasty to label it an accident already?” (Lanpeach)

It was likely Mei’s ability, but still too fast. He cast a reproachful look, but Bacchus just draped an arm over his shoulder, showing no sign of discomfort. Lanpeach liked him even less now.

“That secretary’s quite skilled. Stirring up trouble with her would only lead to months of disputes. You wouldn’t want that hassle, right? It would be better to put your efforts on something else. Let’s make the Yoroizuka family owe us big here and have them repay us with interest.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus offered a plausible reason for declaring it an accident, but Lanpeach doubted whether this was entirely his choice. If it was the ‘fate’ that decided it, others might be unable to escape it. Still, arguing here wouldn’t help.

“I’d like to know the interest rate on that loan. It’s compounded, right?” (Lanpeach)

For the lender, compound interest was ideal. Even a loan of 300,000 would grow significantly if left compounded for a year.

His smirking with an ‘uhehe’ was truly the picture of a minor villain.

“The rate depends on your skills, Lanpeach-dono. Judging by your recent negotiation, you got quite the sum already. So I’m sure you’ll manage.” (Bacchus)

“My girlfriend is pretty skilled, you see. I plan to collect a hefty sum from the Yoroizuka family, including interest.” (Lanpeach)

Also, judging from the fact that she successfully got money out of her, it doesn’t seem like Chihiro is that affected by fate.

She got money out of Yoroizuka Mei, who is rumored to get someone acquitted even of public murder, in a short period of time, so she would in the future be taken notice of because of her high talent.

“So, can I know why the head of the Onodera family is here? I don’t recall scheduling an appointment.” (Lanpeach)

“Well, it’s simple. There was conflict on my turf, involving the next head of the Shukou family, who successfully negotiated with the Underground District. It seemed only proper to introduce myself.” (Bacchus)

“Ah, I see. I was hoping to introduce myself to the heads of the Armed Families anyway, so this helps.” (Lanpeach)

Initially, Lanpeach was planning to meet him discreetly at the party, so it didn’t stand out, but thanks to Toko, a natural meeting happened, and he had no reason to decline. No matter who saw this, they wouldn’t think Lanpeach is the one that has business with him.

He can just enjoy the Tanabata Festival normally. There’s no telling if he will be able to enjoy it though.

“Well, we’ll probably run into each other from time to time, so let’s get along. Now, I’ll take my leave if we’re done.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach feigned indifference and brushed Bacchus’s hand off his shoulder. If a woman had done it, it might have been an event scene, but coming from Lanpeach, it looked like a minor villain doing shady business.

(Of course, he’ll stop me, right? Please stop me.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach prayed like a guy hoping for a jackpot in a slot machine as he started leaving. Of course, if he didn’t stop Lanpeach, he planned on moonwalking and circling around Bacchus.

The prayers of Lanpeach didn’t work in the slot machines, but it did this time around.

“Now, now, don’t be so cold. We should treasure this rare meeting. Lanpeach-dono, weren’t you here to buy a dress for your partner? Come to my place. We have talented designers in the family who can help. We’ll cover the costs for the dress. Not only that, we will also prepare the accessories and shoes too.” (Bacchus)

“Let’s go, Lan! We didn’t get anything after that duel, and a single piece from the Onodera brand can cost tens of millions of Ele. Together with the accessories, it could be worth billions, and it’s all free.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro’s eyes sparkled at Bacchus’s generous offer. It seems ‘free’ is a magic word in any world.

Though it was unfortunate for the boutique that got sidelined, major deals are often unexpected like this.

Chihiro clung tightly to Lanpeach’s arm, practically squeezing. Saying no would definitely lower her affection.

(Besides, I needed to talk to Bacchus. This is an opportunity.) (Lanpeach)

“Alright, I suppose I could mingle a bit if it’s free.” (Lanpeach)

He shrugged, pretending to be reluctantly indulging his girlfriend. It seems that was convincing enough, Bacchus grinned after hearing his words.

“Alright, I invite you to my home, Lanpeach-dono. There’s a car waiting outside. Deepening our friendship here would be difficult after all.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus had his own motives; he didn’t greet Lanpeach out of sheer goodwill. They both had schemes, which happened to align nicely.

◇◇

They traveled in the Onodera family’s car. As expected of the Onodera family, one of the wealthiest families in the Surface District, the car was as long as a limousine and tall like an armored military vehicle. Moreover, the interior was spacious, with ample room between seats.

Of course, there was also a small refrigerator fully equipped with items like wine.

“This is amazing, isn’t it, Lan? I didn’t know cars like this even existed.” (Chihiro)

Feeling humbled, Chihiro huddled closer and whispered into Lanpeach’s ear, who smiled, nodding while thinking they look like a couple.

[Amazing, Pla-san! There’s cake in here! A car that even has cheesecake. It’s just incredible. Libra, you can take some animeties home, you know.] (Mira)

[There are four pieces, so we can have two each.] (Libra)

Libra and Mira had no reservation as they peeked into the refrigerator. Lanpeach looked into the distance, wondering if support characters were usually this way.

And besides, cheesecake doesn’t count as an animety, he thought. Wait, was it supposed to be ‘animety’ or ‘amenity’?

“Gahahaha! This limousine is the latest model. If you like it, I could gift it to you.” (Bacchus)

“Oh, no, that’s too much. I’ll just accept the gesture.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro understandably declined a car that must cost billions in Ele.

“I see, I see. But it’s worth the expense to see you impressed by it. But you’re not done being surprised yet. Just wait until you see the Onodera family’s main estate.” (Bacchus)

Lanpeach and Chihiro followed Bacchus’s gaze out the window and…

“Wow, is that the mansion?!” (Chihiro)

Chihiro was utterly astonished after catching sight of the mansion emerging faintly from behind the forest.

Previous Chapter l Next Chapter

Support my translations or commission me to translate a chapter of any series on Patreon!