Chapter 289 - Limited-Time Offer

With this and that, we returned to the village and began the days of improving our levels until the waves came.

Within that time, I went on an expedition with the high-leveled Raphtalia and the other slaves.

Ah~… Speaking of which, it’s about the events of the night we returned to the village.

I tried my daily work of compounding with the mortar.

Naofumi: “Huh?”

After a moment of grinding, the herbs became a blackened waste and gave off a foul stench.

It’s not at a level I should fail.

The more I grind, the more the waste increased.

I was only infusing the herbs so I’m puzzled about why they would change into charcoal.

Raphtalia: “Naofumi-sama. Is something wrong?”

Naofumi: “My compounding is…”

When I try compounding something else, it always fails.

…It seems like I’ve become unable to compound because of the curse’s influence.

This is like Ren’s Item Creation system being destroyed.

I take a break from working, and go to bed early that day.

Ah, for the Atla issue, I have slaves deployed near the house and have made a perfect defense so she can’t come.

Well, Fohl is locking her in unsparingly so it should be fine.

In addition to that… the so-called Raph species are keeping a watchful eye in the village.

Raphtalia begins swinging her sword outside for the sake of nighttime training.

Raph: “Rafu~”

The tanuki-looking, raccoon-looking monsters known as the Raph came inside the room without anyone noticing.

Come to think of it, they also can use the same illusion magic as Raphtalia.

It’s quite convenient.

And yet, they came in a large group.

Naofumi: “Oh? I think you were the first generation Raph species, right?”

Their appearance is relatively cute.

It seems there are generations of various types but that part was pretty ambiguous so I didn’t really understand it.

Raph: “Rafu~”

The Raph extends its paw forward and strikes the ground seven times with a digit.

They’re the seventh generation Raph species? Or I should say, they’ve got a modest attitude.

They seem to understand human language in some respects and are greatly different from those noisy birds.

In terms of liking or disliking them, I think it would be more on the liking side.

The Raphs who entered the room were small and they cry out while approaching me.

Atla: “Ra-Raphtalia-san. Everyone of the Raph species! Onii-sama, I just want to go where Naofumi-sama is! Please move aside.”

Raphtalia: “You cannot.”

Fohl: “You can’t.”

Raphs: “””Rafu~!”””

…For some reason it’s noisy outside.

While they’re talking I casually stroke the Raphs.

Their feel isn’t bad.

Apparently I made this when I was crazy but…unexpectedly, I did a good job with them.

Hm? There are some shed hair.

…What will happen if I insert them into the shield?

I insert some as a test.

You have unlocked the requirements for the Raph Shield!

You have unlocked the requirements for the Tali Shield!

You have unlocked the requirements for the Lia Shield!

You have unlocked the requirements for the Original Raph Shield!

You have unlocked the requirements for the Battle Raph Shield!

…etc

To have a shield from a creature of a new species, what is this.

Well, if I think about it, there’s also evolution on top of the monsters currently existing, so it’s not strange that the entries continue to increase.

…I investigate the Raph Shield.

Raph Shield 0/20 C

Ability Sealed…Equipment Bonus, Raph Species Growth Correction (Small) Raph Species Attack Designation 1 (Limited Time Offer) Raphtalia’s Ability Correction (Small)

Proficiency 0

……err.

I don’t know which I should comment about.

What is that Limited Time Offer thing?

Is that like raising an ability with their individual limits or something, what kind of ability is it.

Well, Raphtalia is the one I trust the most so I won’t be dissatisfied if she gets stronger.

Or rather.

Raph: “Rafu~”

Is it just my imagination? I feel like this releasing method and pattern vaguely resembles the Filorial System.

The Shield Tree also unlocks with a similar feeling.

Raph: “Rafu~?”

Naofumi: “Is this a kid or an adult? I think there was a large one, right? How about you?”

That Mii-kun fellow, how should I put it, he’s like a neighbourhood sprite from the countryside, and I feel like trying to nap on his stomach once.

That fellow doesn’t want to approach himself so he won’t want to, but an unfamiliar Raph might be fine.

Ah, that kid is a female. It seems there are male specimen

Those were originally of a different kind of monster though.

Raph: “Rafu~!”

With a *poof* sound, the Raph I was hugging became slightly bigger

It’s just the right size for a body pillow.

And then I unreservedly throw myself onto its stomach and lie down.

…I want to try touching it a little.

While I stroke it, I lie face up as if it was a pillow.

Somehow it smells like Raphtalia.

Ah~… somehow I feel a strange sense of security.

Even afterwards, I raised them with a lot of physical contact and they’ve become considerably attached to me as a response.

They’re pretty cute.

They’re like the ideal pet I’ve always wanted.

Raph: “Rafu~”

Raphtalia: “Naofumi-sama! It’s almost time for…”

The door of the room opens and Raphtalia enters.

Raphtalia: “…What…are you doing?”

Naofumi: “Hm? It kind of came to play so I’m just keeping it company though?”

Raph: “Fake~!”

Raphtalia: “Be quiet!”

Somehow Raphtalia’s tail swells up, wary of the Raph.

Naofumi: “Ah…”

Raphtalia seized the Raph by the nape of its neck and drove them out of the room.

I unconsciously reached out with my hand, reluctant to part.

That sensation when I was stroking it… even though it was fine.

I thought it would have made a perfect body pillow.

Raphtalia: “Naofumi-sama, please don’t play with the Raph species so much.”

Naofumi: “Is that so? I’ve always wanted this kind of pet though. To be honest, it’s my type of monster.”

Raphtalia: “It’s a promise with me!”

Naofumi: “Why do you hate it so much?”

Well, it’s not like I don’t understand.

It’s probably like an Otaku giving their girlfriend a model figure they made as a present.

Moreover, to be freely caressing it in front of their eyes.

If I think about it properly, am I a hentai otaku!?

No, she’s not a girlfriend. Instead, she feels more like a daughter.

I doubt people sleep on their daughter’s stomaches though.

Well, when I check their status afterwards, they’re pretty exceptional.

I saw that their levels were low, but their potential was quite high.

I think it might be equal to the Filorials’.

The subspecies are also quite diverse.

There’s a specimen that can pull carriages like the Filorials too.

Those were originally Caterpillands though.

Looking at their integration, I’ll have them take on a role in combat or peddling.

Yeah, like they said, the guys in the monster hut originally wished for the modification.

Raphtalia: “Umm… how should I say it, it’s embarrassing to watch.”

Naofumi: “So it’s that kind of thing.”

I understand her feelings.

Even I would dislike it if a clone of me was made and was caressed by Raphtalia.

By the way, the ability that was in the shield before, the Attack Designation 1 allows me to direct the Raphs to focus their attacks on the monster I indicate.

Also, a variety of other instructions appeared.

Furthermore, there’s even a strange skill like ‘C’mon Raphs’… the things this shield has.

When used, I can summon the Raphs by portal.

…Somehow Raphtalia makes a complicated face whenever I use it so I’m worried about whether I should seal its use.

Incidentally, the Raphs that turned wild extended their influence and now they’ve created an ecosystem in my territory, but that’s another story.

The next day.

Raphtalia: “Now then, Naofumi-sama. Please scold Atla-chan, Firo and Kiel-kun and punish each of them.”

Atla, Firo and Kiel were kept in the village plaza and I was told to scold them by Raphtalia.

In reality, I was the one who went crazy and they were just taking my side so I think the fault should be mine.

I feel like I’m in no position to assign punishments……

Or rather, I should be the one receiving a punishment instead.

It didn’t become a big deal thanks to Melty making the necessary arrangements, but I caused quite a loss.

It seems I came to harass the village and town occasionally and caused some destruction.

Apparently it was covered for by using the profits from the Reconstruction Festival though.

I heard that I also assaulted the merchants in my territory.

According to Firo, I didn’t have enough materials and so Firo raided those possessing what I needed from the sky or something.

Well, they were recompensated, and they were told not to approach the location beforehand so the merchants who did approach were at fault.

Furthermore, Melty collected all the evidence in the area so there shouldn’t be any false reports.

Honestly, I want to be forgiven for this kind of incident.

That being the case, let’s obey Raphtalia’s instructions if anything happens next time.

To be frank, I feel guilty about Sadina’s brown colouring. The person herself doesn’t care and is just happily drinking alcohol though.

That her drinking ability has increased is comforting, but it’s my fault that it became such an outrageous situation and I do my own self-reflection.

If I am sternly cautioned by Raphtalia now …but then those three won’t get the message.

Naofumi: “Atla.”

Atla: “What is it, Naofumi-sama?”

Naofumi: “…Why did you join me?”

She was asked before but I’ll ask her again.

Atla: “Because that person was still Naofumi-sama, and I will always be by Naofumi-sama’s side.”

Firo: “Firo too~”

Firo spoke after Atla did.

Firo: “You know, Master. You had a really great smile.”

And then she cries with flowing tears…oh Jeez.

Just how attached was she.

Were you that pleased about being able to fly in the sky?

Naofumi: “That wasn’t me. It was something that possessed me.”

Firo: “Eh~ that’s wrong~”

Atla: “That’s right.”

Kiel: “Yeah! Nii-chan was nice!”

I was an arrogant villain! I wasn’t nice!

Or so I could respond but…it seems like I might step on a land mine so I’ll stay silent.

Naofumi: “Then…”

For a punishment, I must assign something the person will hate so that they’ll reflect.

In Atla’s case, she might conversely be happy with whatever I order her to do.

Alright.

Naofumi: “Fohl.”

Fohl: “…What?”

Naofumi: “To drive Atla away, you’ll be sleeping in my room.”

Fohl: “Again!”

Naofumi: “The thing your Atla hates is?”

Atla: “Ughh…Onii-sama, if you do that”

Atla emits a negative aura towards Fohl.

Fohl: “I-I got it! Nii-chan, I’ll work hard in order to punish Atla.”

Naofumi: “Raphtalia is also fine with that, right?”

Raphtalia: “Ah…yes… Fohl-kun. Please protect Naofumi-sama from the Raph species as well.”

Fohl: “I got it, Big Sis.”

That Fohl, he now obediently obeys Raphtalia.

Damn. Raphtalia doesn’t need you!

Or rather, what the hell am I thinking.

Naofumi: “So next is Firo.”

How should I punish Firo?

It seems like going three days without food or something will be enough for her to reflect. I can probably use the Monster Crest to reinforce it as well.

The problem is… it’s dangerous because there’s the possibility that Firo may lose judgement from hunger and cause an outrageous incident though.

Motoyasu: “Father-in-Law!”

Motoyasu starts addressing me.

He’ll probably talk about something indecent again.

Let’s ignore him.

Raphtalia: “Ah, Naofumi-sama.”

Naofumi: “What is it?”

Raphtalia: “The Hero of the Spear is…that is, he was very cooperative during this last incident. Please give him a reward somehow.”

Naofumi: “Why so sudden?”

Raphtalia: “I promised him…”

Grr… speaking of which, I heard the whole story.

At first he was a subordinate of the crazy me but he was told by Melty that Raphtalia was someone related to Firo and so he recognised Raphtalia as a person and not a pig, and finally was persuaded to cooperate and such.

I hadn’t concealed my surprise at him being able to converse with a female other than Melty, but it’s related to Firo again.

So Melty is her fiance and Raphtalia is her older sister.

As I expected, all the women are pigs except for those with a relationship to Firo.

When I think about it, it’s an inevitable result.

Nevertheless, Firo’s punishment and Motoyasu’s reward, huh……

Alright!

Naofumi: “Firo.”

Firo: “Wha~t?”

Naofumi: “Go on a date with Motoyasu for the day. You must always stay within thirty metres of him.”

I activate the Monster Crest and made it so she would suffer if she violated it.

Firo: “No~!”

Motoyasu: “Really, Father-in-Law?!”

Motoyasu’s eyes shine!

Don’t bring your face so close, it’s disgusting.

Naofumi: “Yeah, however, I absolutely won’t forgive a relationship beyond that of dating, forcefully pressing her for a kiss, or trying to have sex and such.”

Motoyasu: “Yes! Now then, Firo-tan. Let’s go on the date.”

Kuu, Midori & Marine: “Buuuuuuuuu!”””

Motoyasu’s three followers protest while releasing bloodlust.

I don’t care. If this much isn’t done then it won’t be a reward nor a punishment!

Motoyasu untied the rope Firo was bound with.

When he does, Firo struggles and starts flying in the sky.

Firo: “No~! Master, save me!”

Naofumi: “Sorry. I’m not in a situation where I can defend you.”

I’m the one who gave the punishment though.

Firo: “NOOooo~!”

Flapping her wings, Firo flew at quite a fast speed.

She barely stopped within thirty metres.

Motoyasu: “Hahaha, is it a rendezvous in the sky? Firo-tan!”

Motoyasu ran and chased after her.

Firo: “Don’t come near~!!”

Firo fled while flying.

Is that a date?

It’s fine since Motoyasu seems very delighted.

Yeah. With this, they won’t come back for a while.

Kuu: “That female’s owner, what a reward! I definitely won’t forgive him!”

Marine: “Yeah! Unforgivable.”

Midori: “Let’s curse him.”

Those three are annoying.

In that case you guys should go claim Motoyasu yourselves.

By the way, apparently Firo and Motoyasu spent the day chasing one another.

Motoyasu reported back happily, but I could only wonder if that was enough.