The Tale of A Man Who Believed That His Reincarnation Had Granted Him A Japanese Sword And The Greatest Battle Sense, Only To Have The God Finally Inform Him "Huh, I Didn't Give You Any Combat Sense… That's Scary…" - Episode 38

“Zzz… Zzz… Grr… No more meat…”

“Zzz… Zzz… Jaw… Papa… Mama, where are you…”

“(A snore as loud as a dial-up connection sound)”

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling several weights pressing down on my body. The first thing I saw was a gray tail completely covering my face. Pushing the tail aside as if parting grass, I looked up at my bed and saw the triplets in their pajamas, each sleeping soundly in their own unique way.

Despite the loud, machine-like snoring coming from Logos, the other two were still fast asleep. Impressive.

“The triplets sneaked in again, huh?”

Since I started living at the Witch’s Staff Resting Place, the triplets had occasionally climbed into my bed. First, Arche timidly came over. The next night, Teros happily joined in. Then, on the third night, when I returned late, Rogos was already fast asleep in my bed.

By now, it wasn’t surprising to find them in my room. But this was the first time all three had come at the same time.
“You’re awake, my dear.”

Turning toward the voice, I saw Hashihime standing quietly in the dimly lit room. She wore a thin, gray kimono, her gaze fixed on the sleeping triplets.

A question suddenly came to my mind, and I decided to ask her.

“Hey, Hashihime… do you like kids?”

She looked slightly surprised, then after thinking for a moment, she slowly shook her head.

“No, I cannot say I am particularly fond of children. However, seeing these little ones sleeping by your side, I sometimes feel as if they are our own.”

A sorrowful glimmer flashed in her beautiful black eyes—something mixed with regret and longing, as if yearning for something she could never have. But then, she quickly regained her composure and spoke with a bright smile.

“Now then, my dear. We are heading to the underground lair to retrieve that wicked artifact, yes? I shall do my very best to assist you! ♡”

As I changed into my quest attire, Hashihime carefully packed the travel bag I had bought using my necromancer bounty reward.

After finishing, I turned back to her, but she had already transformed into a katana. The spot where she had stood was now empty, leaving only the sword leaning silently against the wall.

I picked her up, gently ran my fingers over the scabbard, and secured her to my belt. Then, using the letters I had learned alongside the triplets, I wrote a note to Jin, informing him that I would be away for about seven days. Just in case, I also left a short note for Lyra.

As I prepared to leave, shouldering the travel bag Hashihime had packed, I suddenly felt a tug at my waist. Looking down, I saw Rogos, who had been snoring like an old internet connection, now awake. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and clung to my coat.

“Uu… big brother…”

“Good morning, Rogos. If you’re still sleepy, you can go back to bed.”

“…Carry me. Carry me.”

With messy bed hair and a swaying tail, Logos stretched out her arms, asking to be picked up. She had never asked me to carry her before, but maybe she was feeling a bit clingy after just waking up.

I lifted her into my arms, and she immediately started rubbing her whole body against my chest, covering my clothes in fur.

“Uuu… Okay, now I’m good. Big brother, have a safe trip.”

After a few more rubs, she smiled sleepily and slipped out of my arms, wagging her large tail as she crawled back into bed.

She had said “have a safe trip.” I hadn’t told them I was going anywhere, but I guess she figured it out when she saw me dressed to leave.

I whispered a quiet “I’m off” so as not to wake the others, then left the room and stepped outside the Witch’s Staff Resting Place.

The morning streets of Redinbara were still shrouded in silence, with only a few people out and about.

“Yo, you’re up early today.”

As I headed toward the Adventurers’ Guild, a familiar voice called out to me. Turning, I saw Jin emerging from the house beside the Witch’s Staff Resting Place.

Dressed in his usual black-and-white outfit with a cute brown apron, Jin stifled a yawn as he picked up cleaning tools and began sweeping the area.

“Good morning, Jin. Ah… sorry, but I’ll be away for a few days on a quest.”

“Hmm… I see. Got it. I’ll keep that in mind. Those little ones all sneaked into your bed again, huh? Must’ve been a rough night.
Bear with it.”

As I gave him a small nod and turned to leave, Jin suddenly spoke again.

“Hey, Enri… We first met here, right?”

“Uh… yes, I think so?”

The question caught me off guard. Jin himself seemed unsure why he had even asked it, as if the words had just slipped out.
“…Never mind. Just a weird feeling. I felt like I had watched someone leave from here before, just like this. Anyway, I won’t ask where you’re headed, but stay safe.”

“Thank you, Jin.”

After thanking him, I continued toward the Adventurers’ Guild. The early morning air was crisp as I arrived at the guild’s entrance.

Waiting there was Alice, holding the reins of two horses, and a hooded woman mounted on one of them.

The woman’s face was mostly hidden by a black mask covering her lower half, and her hooded cloak further obscured her identity. She wore sleek, durable leather armor in red and black, with multiple pouches strapped to her waist and thighs. A lockpicking set dangled from a black belt around her hips.

For a moment, my brain froze. I hadn’t expected to see someone like this here. But if Alice and I were the only ones supposed to be here, then the only person this could be was…

“Ah, good morning, Enri. Um, is this person an acquaintance of yours? She arrived earlier but hasn’t said a word, so it’s been really awkward.”

Alice waved hesitantly, her expression uncertain. She wore her usual outfit, but her boots looked sturdier than before, likely chosen for the long journey ahead.

I cautiously approached the silent figure and spoke.

“Utsuho… is that you? What’s with the outfit?”

At my words, she pulled back her hood and lowered the mask, revealing her familiar face. She playfully stuck out her tongue.

“Forgive me, Enri. I was simply observing Alice-sama to better understand what kind of person she is… Alice-sama, I look forward to working with you. I am Utsuho, joining this mission as a thief.”

She dismounted with a swift, graceful motion, then curtsied like a maid, even though she was in full combat gear.

Alice gave me a helpless look before awkwardly returning the greeting.

“Utsuho, I didn’t expect you to show up in a maid outfit, but where did you even get that armor?”

“I stole it from the Royal Knights stationed at the Five Great Merchant Houses. Then, I adjusted it to fit my tall frame.”

She said it so matter-of-factly that I could only sigh. Yep, she was definitely a thief. But in reality, she was an assassin.

I glanced at Alice, who looked utterly stunned.

“Y-You stole it? From the Royal Knights? That’s really bad, isn’t it!?”

“Do not worry, Alice-sama. The knights’ equipment is funded by taxpayers. Which means it belongs to the people of this kingdom.

Therefore, we, as citizens, have every right to use it!”

Utsuho made a playful peace sign with both hands, looking pleased with herself. Meanwhile, Alice buried her face in her hands, speechless.

Thus, our journey into the dungeon began.