Chapter 57: Anko
The deathmatch was now over.
Secretly, I was trembling with excitement.
Anko was speaking……!
This fact was no less shocking than the successful tame.
Until now, she was just a monster that repeated some pre-programmed behavioral patterns. But how about it? The moment she was tamed, she started to move as if she had obtained a soul.
What happened? What is different? Was it the Tame skill? Or was it something about Anko? This was filled with mysteries……
Then, as if thinking that my long and silent self-reflection was some sort of paralysis, Anko opened her mouth.
“――Lord. Ahh! Lord. I will become the sword that slays your enemies. I will become the shield that protects you from anything. My life, my everything belongs to you, Lord. So please, until this body of mine has rotted away and crumbled into dust, please stay by my side.”
She then bowed her head while she kneeled.
Those contents were spoken like “A seriously prepared line thought for a long time” feverishly. And since I was a bit anxious about it, I asked.
“I have one question before answering your request. Since when did you regain your ego, your consciousness?”
“Yes. I’ve had it for around a hundred years.”
“Then, why did you act like that?”
“I didn’t have the power to resist it…… I was being controlled by the power of God.”
“I see, the power of God, huh?”
Does she mean she couldn’t take any free action while we were fighting even though she was conscious of it? It’s quite a pitiful story…… however, I can’t deny the possibility that her memories were tampered with the moment she was tamed. It’s possible that memory of “I’ve had my ego for a hundred years” was added later by someone. It might be more rational than to think that there are monsters in this world who have an ego from the beginning.
……Well, since that’s an issue I really can’t do anything about, it might be better to stop thinking about it. The Darkness Wolf happened to have an ego long before I tamed her. For now, that’s enough.
——
“Anko.”
“……? ……! Yes! “
“I’m Second. Remember it.”
“Certainly! I will forever! “
“Let’s go.”
“As you wish! “
I suddenly called out her name. Immediately affirming, Anko quickly stood up. She’s quite quick-witted.
Her height is just a bit lower than mine. Her calm face was now painted with a huge smile as her tail swung from side to side and the ears on her head twitched. This made me laugh involuntarily, seeing her child-like behavior that really contrasted with her bewitching adult figure.
“Can I leave the way out to you? “
“～～～! Ufufu, leave it to me! “
When I asked her for this, Anko’s cheeks flushed red and she showed an excessive smile. She looked so happy she couldn’t hold it in.
I see. This is the first time Anko will experience “to go out”. After spending over a hundred years here, there’s no way that wouldn’t make her happy. If so, then I can understand her joy.
Therefore, while convinced of such, we left the Isoreus Grand Underground Library. Curious about the outside scenery, Anko observed the surroundings with great interest while walking right behind me.
After recovering the camping gear set at the usual place, we then went out to the hallway.
The hallway in front of the library is the den of powerful monsters called 「Black Ghosts」. Alone they have quite the strength, but they are troublesome opponents that attack in group.
And we were targeted as soon as they saw us. They numbered five. I can solo them; it might be a little hard, but nothing I can’t handle. Thinking on cutting off their numbers before they get close, I grabbed the Mithril Longbow――
“……Ah!”
In just a moment, Anko moved at an unthinkable speed, stopping right in front of the Black Ghosts. 《Darkness Transfer》―― A skill to melt the body into darkness, moving instantaneously from shadow to shadow.
“How stupid.”
Saying so with a smile, Anko narrowed her eyes.
And, while moving her right hand in front…… She grabbed what seemed to be the head of a Black Ghost.
“Time to die.”
A torrent of black mist. That was 《Darkness Magic》 without a doubt. No way!
“Ha……? “
My surprised voice unexpectedly leaked. And so did half a laugh. I doubted my eyes. However, the scene in front of me remained the same. The Black Ghosts had their remaining HP dropped to 1! Can she “use” it!? That game-breaking magic……!
Immediately after. Basha―― Along with that light sound, the head of the Black Ghost was crushed by Anko.
Hey, hey! What kind of skill was that? Come to think of it, something does come to mind. The “Claw” attack. Can she use it while in human form……?
“Come, Shadow Cane.”
After wiping out the remnants of the Black Ghost attached to her robe, Anko then used 《Darkness Summon》 with plenty of leeway.
She summoned the 『Shadow Cane』―― A deep black cane the color of darkness itself. I know it since I’ve fought against it a lot, but that cane is a very nasty weapon. Why? Because it has “A number of fast moves”. In other words, it has an excellent compatibility with 《Darkness Magic》. Having 1 HP left and being relentlessly attacked with her 【Jojutsu】 skill, it really leaves no room to breathe.
……I wonder what’s this feeling? That heinous and savage combination that I struggled against too much feels so damn reliable the moment it was used for me. “Give’em hell, girl! “, are words I almost wanted to yell.
And while I had that in my head, the Black Ghosts attacked Anko all at once.
“Ufu–! “
Anko swung the Shadow Cane towards the ground, slamming it several times. A characteristic of the Shadow Cane is that, even if the shadow is attacked, damage is received. That skill was 《Gold Jojutsu》. A quick attack over a wide area forward. And also, towards the shadows in the ground.
The four remaining Black Ghosts were annihilated in that single blow. The obvious conclusion. A hard to avoid, wide-range attack towards the shadows when only 1 HP was left thanks to the 《Darkness Magic》 attack earlier. In one word, overwhelming. To the point where that couldn’t even be considered a fight. This was a very efficient and calculated strategy, a hunt from someone with unusually high levels of skill.
Geez…… What’s with that? It’s crazy. Insane.
What’s crazy? You might wonder…… Everything is, especially the 《Darkness Magic》. I didn’t think it would be usable. Obviously, the Anko in my previous life couldn’t use it. After all, it’s a magic that brings your enemies’ HP to 1. That’s, without a doubt, a game-breaking skill.
However, it’s a fact she can use that “game-breaking magic” here. In other words, this world’s Anko is clearly different from the one of my previous life. Everything about her, from her ego, to her strategies, to her skills.
…………Isn’t she way too strong?
“……Well done. It was perfect.”
While still feeling some shivers, I praised Anko.
Being immersed in her role and watching the aftermath of her actions, Anko immediately turned around and while bowing said “Your words are wasted on me”, after hearing me. Obedient indeed. That makes me quite happy.
Well then, let’s check something. The differences between the previous world and this one.
“Anko, show me your status.”
“Yes, please have a look at them.”
Answering my command, Anko put away her Shadow Cane and came leaning over. That’s a little……No, that’s quite close. And also, huge. No, right now their size doesn’t really matter. However, huge ones are huge. Damn, they’re so big. In any case, what’s big is big.
…………
Alright, with this, I’m convinced. “Restrictions” have been added. For 《Darkness Magic》 the condition 「It can only be used on weaker opponents」 was added. And also, a cooldown time of 3600 seconds. So, the limit is once per hour. Still, that’s more than enough for this out-of-the-ordinary skill.
In addition, the cooldown time of 《False Shadow》 has increased from 40 to 300 seconds. It’s true that being able to use invincibility for three seconds every 40 seconds was too broken.
Aside from that, the cooldown time of 《Darkness Shift》 has disappeared, and the cooldown time of 《Darkness Transfer》 and 《Darkness Summon》 has been set to 60 seconds.
Compared to my previous life, they all were upwards revisions. And compared to before taming, everything except 《Darkness Shift》 was revised downwards. What is the meaning of this? It isn’t thoughtless. Actually, this can be said to be a very thought-out adjustment.
That’s why.
I was convinced.
That’s why.
I was convinced.
There is a God. Nay, there is a ‘producer’.
I don’t know who that is or what kind of personality it has, but I know it definitely exists. And in order to balance this world that is similar to Mobius, he or she struggles to make some big or small adjustments. To the point where all the Darkness Wolf’s skills were kept after taming and modified with “for this world” in mind.
……I’d like to thank them. This is the best of worlds. All I can do is thank them for providing me with a place where I can make my dreams come true. If we can meet someday, I’ll go say hello and give them some sweets. That would be great.
“Is everything alright? Can I be of help to you, my Lord? “
While I was thinking deeply about this, Anko asked me as if worried about something. Sorry, I didn’t properly look at your stats.
“Around 5,000 points out of 100.”
“Ohh! “
“Kidding, actually about 1 million points.”
“Ohhh, ohhh, Lord. Anko is very happy.”
As I made a little joke, Anko came leaning on my chest. E-eh……!? Hu-huge……
“――――Ara.”
Then Anko leaked a cold voice. At that same moment, I noticed.
Three Black Ghosts tried to take us by surprise, attacking from behind. It’s not like they were hiding somewhere. They simply respawned after a certain amount of time. I guess I got too carried away with this sensation.
Anko, who was the first one to notice the enemies approaching, left my side while feeling regretful and activated 《Darkness Summon》 while smiling.
What came out from the darkness was a large weapon, double her height, the “Dark Flame Spear”.
For her, it was very easy to swing such a long armament. The sinister patterns and decorations would make anyone who sees it think of “death”, and the blackish flame at the top, eternally burning, made it so the blade could never be seen.
A spear was a weapon with the primary purpose of piercing, but in this case, it was the strongest just by swinging it. Why? Because the dark flames spouted from it whenever it was shaken. So, the more you swing it, the more the flames spread. The unusually long-range and wide-area attack of the dark flames doesn’t give one the chance to approach. And even though it has the perfect attack power, the 【Spearmanship】 skill still adds more power to it. That’s why it isn’t an exaggeration to call it “the strongest mode”.
“You really got in my way.”
I suddenly noticed her angry voice. Why did Anko pulled out her strongest weapon, the Dark Flame Spear right now?
For some reason, she was seething with anger. However, she still smiled. What’s with her? She happily smiled even though she was using her strongest weapon. Wow, she’s quite dexterous. Still, what is she angry about? Can it be because they disturbed our conversation? If so, then she has quite the low boiling point.
And then―― the very next moment. Before I noticed, Anko’s 《Dragon King Spearmanship》 skill was activated and the dark flame was fired forwards.
“Wooow……”
The three Black Ghosts that were hit directly were completely annihilated in a single blow. Just one attack. Ehhh? …… Even if she scored a critical, that power is weird. How did she do it? Even without her 《Darkness Magic》, she’s damn strong.
……Ohh. I kind of thought this was the case, but now I can say for sure. At present, she is much stronger than me, if we compare just the abilities. What a frightening thought. And now that Anko has been released from her fixed behavioral pattern, if we were to fight again, there’s a high possibility I won’t even stand a chance. Yeah, probably. That might be the case. But that’s just a possibility. Well, I’ll win.
However. However! I mustn’t forget, this formidable wolf is under my control. She’s my blade and my shield. So to speak, she’s my equipment. That’s right, in other words, the stronger the better. That means, if Anko is stronger than me, now that I’ve tamed her, I’m over twice as strong as when I first came here. Isn’t that great? With this, being the top in the world has definitely become closer. That’s why I don’t feel bitter at all.
“Alright, shall we hurry back home?”
“Understood, Lord.”
I was a bit jealous of her extraordinary strength, but I managed to recover my composure as we went towards the exit of the Isoreus Dungeon.
I stayed here for four months. It somewhat seemed too long, yet too short. From what I heard, it seems it’s already autumn. The autumn leaves, together with the tamed Anko, really brightened my mood as I walked.
——
——
……To think not long ago I felt extremely happy.
But I learned the hard way. Every great story has its underside.
“Uuuu…… I’m sorry……”
As soon as we left the Isoreus Dungeon and she was exposed to the sunlight, Anko became ‘dreadfully weary’.
She was at a state where she could barely walk by herself.
After walking a little further and going under the shade of a tree, she quickly recovered her energy though.
The conditions were simple. She can perform her best under a shadow that covers her whole body. But she will weaken even with a little sunlight hitting her, and will be weakened depending on the amount of sunlight that shines upon her. And it seems that regardless of whether she’s wearing clothes that cover her or not, the simple fact that “light shines over her body” seems to induce the weakening.
In other words, Anko can only fight in places with shadows. There should be no problem at night or indoors, but if it’s under the blazing sun…… It’s better to give it up.
Well, this seems to be the price to pay for wielding 《Darkness Magic》. Ahh, just when I thought I had gotten something incredible…… I should’ve known it wouldn’t be this easy. Well, nothing I can do about it. This still makes up for the four months of struggles and hard work.
Anko currently hid in my shadow as we walked. She’s so close to me, she’s practically touching me. Even if her whole body was not hidden, walking seemed to pose no problem as long as even a little was under a shadow.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to unsummon you? “
“Ahh, you’re worrying about me. Somehow, that makes me very happy. But it’s okay, thanks to you Lord, my energy is holding up. Even if I look like this, I’m still, I’m still……”
“So, you’re grateful to me and my shadow? You’re good at puns Anko.” (TLN: Untranslatable pun, ‘Ore no kage to ore no okage’ is basically ‘thanks to me and my shadow’)
“Ufufu…… you’re a bully, Lord, I look forward to it.”
“…………”
I get the feeling that joke wasn’t said as a joke. No, I have a hunch I better not dig too deep into that. This is a completely different response from when I mess around with Silvia. Yeah, this is a bit scary so let’s stop making fun of Anko. Let’s do that. Or rather, haven’t those big things been hitting my back since a while ago? This girl really likes skinship. Is it because she’s a wolf?
“We’ll take a boat and stay overnight in the port town, then travel on horse all day from the morning. Just hold on for a bit more.”
“That is nothing. Just being with you, Lord, makes Anko incredibly happy.”
Anko whispered in my ear while twisting her body. That was really effective. Suddenly, I began to wonder how would it be for Anko to be my first, but then I immediately stopped that train of thought, scared of a more intense physical contact that might wait for me.
And I’ll be alone with her for over 24 hours…… I’m starting to get a bit worried. I’d like to call Yukari to set someone to pick me up at the town of Pae Ho.
And just like that. I left the island of Isoreus, while feeling some unease all the way.
——
——
“Pathetic. You can’t do anything but to stick right behind my Second’s shadow? Idiotic.”
“…………”
“To think you would be this useless. Are the Darkness Wolves beings that can’t do anything but to lean on their master’s back? “
“…………”
“Come on, say something. Don’t you think so? Hey.”
“Something.”
“Bitchー! Is that the way to speak to a senior? To a Spirit King!? Did you hear that, my Second!? Did you hear that, my Second!? “
“Shut up, aren’t you an adult!? “
While on horseback on the way from the port town Koula to Pae Ho, I used 《Spirit Summoning》 on a whim. I also wanted to check if 《Monster Summoning》 and 《Spirit Summoning》cancelled each other. The spells didn’t have any issue with one another, but the summons themselves did.
I’m not sure why he cared so much, but Angolmois kept trying to pick a fight with Anko. He might be trying to set who’s the one who’s above, white or black. Is the Great Spirit King that prideful?
“Why am I the one being scolded!? That’s favoritism! It’s spiritual discrimination! My Second, if you’re scolding me, also scold this guy! “
“Eh, why? “
“This guy bared her fangs at you every day until yesterday! I can’t forgive that! Some cruel punishment needs to be given! “
Ahー…… I see. Now I know why Angolmois was acting like this. He doesn’t trust her yet.
“I’m already a part of Lord’s soul. It’s up to my Lord to see what’s best to do with these fangs. But if so, then wouldn’t it be strange for Lord to punish himself?”
“Ggghhh, you’re just spouting nothing but sophism! “
“However, that’s true. If it comes to corporal punishment…… then I agree with you, Great King. Lord, please properly strangle Anko’s neck by all means.”
Suddenly, Anko’s hands extend to grab my neck. Eh, for real……? How can you say that you want me to strangle your neck while you’re grabbing mine?
“（Look, just because you said something weird. Angolmois, do something about it.）“
“（What do you want me to do! ?）“
“（Something. You’re her senpai.）“
“（U-umu, that’s right, but……!）“
“Ahhh, Lord.”
“（Whooaa, hurry up!）“
I don’t know how long this kind of skinship will last. But I can’t just let this happen. She’s been alone in that darkness for hundreds of years; I know she misses people. She’s also a bit, no, quite quirky. I want to respond to her feelings in a proper way. However, there’s a line that must never be broken.
“Ahh! Look! The autumn leaves are beautiful! You’ve never seen anything like this while you were locked up in that basement, right? You gloomy bastard? This is a unique opportunity. There, go, go. Get down the horse and go look.”
Nice, Angolmois. She let go of my neck. But you didn’t need to say it like that!
“……To have the courage to try and separate me from my Lord. No matter how much of a senpai you are, there’s only so much I can let pass as a joke.”
“So? what about it? What do you want to do? Shall we settle it right here? “
“Ufufu. Shall I burn you to death? Shall I shred you to death? I’ll let you choose.”
“Hahaha, way to speak, junior (Kouhai).”
“What did you say? I’m nobody’s kouhai. That’s because soon there won’t be a senior no more.”
“……Hoo. Then, if you think you can kill me, I’d like to see you t――”
——
――Enough, I used 《Unsummon》. For the two of them.
I wish I had done this from the beginning. I’m scared of Anko’s skinship the next time I summon her…… But I guess I can use that to settle down the fight between those two. Probably. Angolmois seems more likely to calm down over time.
Haa…… This isn’t great. They’re like cats and dogs. I think I should stop summoning them at the same time.
Even so, that was dangerous. Don’t they know the limit? Even though they were companions, they were seriously trying to kill each other. They weren’t even kidding. After all, the view of life and death of spirits and monsters is completely different from that of humans.
In any case, now that they are gone, this sure feels calm and comfortable. I’ll continue my trip to Pae Ho alone. Wrong, I’m traveling with Seventh Teiō, aren’t I? Anyway, it’s a peaceful trip now.
……Ahh-ahh. Thinking about the next time I summon them. It makes my stomach hurt……
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