Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 179: “Extra Chapter: Thor, Rukie, and the ‘As-Is Figure'”
Thor makes a certain request of the Demon Lord Rukie…
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“I’d like to make a statue of you, Rukie-sama. Would you help me with that?”
One afternoon, I made that request to Rukie when she came to my room.
“A statue of me?”
Rukie looked puzzled.
“Are you perhaps thinking of making something like the statue of the First Demon Lord at the castle entrance?”
“I’m saving that for the future.”
“So you do plan to make one?”
“Yes. But before that, I want to hone my skills. In the Hero’s World, it seems they make figures of cool people. I want to use those as a reference.”
I showed Rukie some materials from the other world.
Near the end of the booklet, there were pictures of dolls—what they call “figures” in the Hero’s World.
There was a wide variety.
Girls holding swords, girls who looked like magicians. Of course, there were also figures of male characters who looked like heroes.
“Hmm. Indeed, they look like heroes.”
“In the Hero’s World, these kinds of figures are sold as normal merchandise.”
“I don’t get it. Aren’t heroes a warrior race of supreme strength? Why would they want dolls?”
“I think they use them as image training—like, ‘I want to be like this someday.’ Otherwise, there’s no reason to make so many different types.”
Figures from the Hero’s World are extremely diverse.
Not just swordsmen or magicians—some have wings, others are loaded with weapons.
Some even have familiars like dragons or giant birds.
Others wear rugged armor or are fused with metallic-looking magical items.
The reason there are so many different kinds of figures must be—
“Maybe the figures in the Hero’s World represent the ultimate form of strength. Heroes from other worlds probably look at these and imagine themselves becoming like that someday as they train.”
“That explanation makes a lot of sense!”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Having wings sprout from your back or merging with magical items.”
“It’s because they’re not satisfied with average strength. That’s what makes them heroes.”
“The Hero’s World really is impressive.”
“Seeing these figures is what made you want to create one of me, isn’t it?”
The Demon Lord Rukie stared at the figure photos with deep interest.
“But I’m not as strong as a hero. Wouldn’t a figure of me be useless for image training?”
“No, I’m not doing this for strength.”
“Then why make a figure of me?”
“Because I want to.”
“…What?”
“I’m not a hero, so I can make a figure just because I want to, right?”
“Well, yes! That’s true, yes!!”
“So, would you be willing to help?”
“What do you plan to do with the figure?”
“I’ll display it in my ‘small storage room.’ I’ll make a few practice versions to improve my skills, and then eventually, I’ll make a perfected ‘Rukie-sama Figure’ that reaches the divine level of craftsmanship and display it at the entrance of the Demon Lord’s Castle.”
“What an outrageous ambition you have…”
“Is that bad?”
“It’s not bad, but…”
Rukie stared at me quietly.
“Thor, what kind of ‘figure’ do you want to make of me?”
“I want to capture you just as you are.”
“…I see.”
Rukie cleared her throat.
Then, looking me in the eyes, she nodded and said,
“So this ‘true-to-life figure’ is for practice?”
“Ah, yes. Just for practice.”
“Y-you’re not going to show it to anyone, right?”
“…No, of course not. I wouldn’t show a practice figure to anyone.”
“…I see.”
Rukie let out a small sigh.
“Very well. Since it’s your request, I’ll cooperate.”
“Thank you very much. Then let’s get started—”
“Wait. I need to prepare myself mentally.”
“Oh, really?”
“Y-yes. Daytime isn’t good. Nighttime would be better. Mabel is out right now, isn’t she? Would it be better if she’s here… or not here… It’s hard to say…”
“Um… Rukie-sama?”
“A-anyway! Wait until night! Got it!? Prepare everything by then!!”
With that, Rukie left the room.
Night. As promised, Rukie came to my room.
She was in full Demon Lord mode, wearing a robe and mask to avoid being seen.
“…S-sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing for making such a selfish request.”
“It’s not selfish. It’s a matter of my resolve.”
Saying that, Rukie closed the door behind her with one hand.
“…You’re going to make a ‘figure’ of me just as I am, correct?”
“Yes. I’ll make a ‘Rukie-sama Figure’ just as you are.”
“And for that, you need my cooperation?”
“That’s right. I’d like to observe you.”
“…Understood.”
Rukie placed her hand on the collar of her robe.
“Then give your instructions. What should I do?”
“Please strike some cool poses as you are.”
“…?”
“Like holding your demon sword or raising your arm to cast magic—some cool poses. I’ll make figures mimicking those using my ‘Creative Alchemy’.”
“Is it okay if I keep the robe and mask on?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t this supposed to be a ‘true-to-life’ figure?”
“That’s right. I’m planning to make a ‘Rukie-sama Figure’ that’s cool no matter what you look like.”
“…………”
“…………?”
“T-then you should have just said that from the start!”
“Why are you mad!?”
“Because you said you wanted to make a ‘true-to-life’ figure!”
“I am making a ‘true-to-life cool Demon Lord Rukie’ figure!”
“…………”
“Why are you glaring at me?”
“Forget it. Just get started already!”
“Y-yes!”
And so, I began making the “Demon Lord Rukie Figure.”
I prepared a lump of metal.
With my “Creative Alchemy” skill, I would transform it into a humanoid shape. Of course, I couldn’t make it look exactly like Rukie from the start. It was like painting. First, I needed to grasp the general form. I planned to make three rough models and refine the shapes over time.
So for today, I was only planning to choose some pose candidates—but then:
“Rukie-sama?”
“What is it, Thor?”
“Aren’t your movements smaller than usual? You also seem kind of fidgety.”
“…There’s a bit of an issue with my clothes.”
“Is it the ‘Perception Inhibiting’ robe? You’re kind of holding it down with both hands…”
“…………”
“Why are you turning away, Rukie-sama?”
I can’t see her expression because of the mask, but… isn’t she glaring at me?
“I’m back! Thor-sama!”
While we were talking like that, Mabel came into the room.
Looks like she finished her work and returned.
“Huh? Your Majesty, you’re here?”
“Y-yes. Thor said he wants to make a ‘figure’ of me.”
“A ‘figure’?”
“A small statue, like the ones at the castle entrance. I was trying to make a miniature version of that.”
I picked up where Rukie left off.
“But it seems there’s a problem with Rukie-sama’s clothes, and she can’t strike a proper pose.”
“Wha—!? Thor!?”
“So with that in mind, Mabel, could you help her adjust her outfit?”
“Y-yes. Understood. Your Majesty, this way please.”
“W-wait! Mabel, don’t pull me! Wait—!”
Mabel took Rukie by the hand and guided her into another room.
But Rukie resisted.
In the struggle, Mabel’s hand slipped and got caught on Rukie’s robe.
For some reason, the buttons on the robe were loose, and as a result, the robe slipped off—
“Your Majesty. Why are you only wearing a swimsuit under the robe?”
“I-it’s just your imagination! It’s just your imagination, Mabel!”
“For a moment, the ‘cognitive inhibition’ spell weakened, and I saw what was underneath the robe. It was that swimsuit made of ‘Water-Magic Fabric,’ the one you had that clothing artisan make. The one that really shows off your figure—”
“W-wawawawawaaaah—!”
It turned into a huge commotion.
“It’s because Thor said he wanted to make a figure of me ‘as I truly am.’”
I got scolded.
Well, I don’t think I’m at fault this time, but still—
“And besides… when Thor looked at the figure resembling me in a swimsuit, his eyes were sparkling. That’s why I tried to show him as much of my true form as I could…”
I take it back. I’m sorry.
So that’s it. Because I said I wanted to make a figure of “Rukie as she truly is,” she took it to mean wearing as little as possible—i.e., a swimsuit.
And that’s why she was holding her robe tightly.
“I sincerely apologize, Rukie-sama. That was my mistake.”
“No, it’s fine. I was also being hasty.”
“In that case, I’ll go ahead and start making the ‘Rukie-sama Swimsuit Figure’ right away!”
“No, you won’t!”
“Aww.”
“I worked up all this nerve, only to find out it was a figure in my Demon Lord style… then while I was modeling, the fact that I was wearing a swimsuit got exposed… There’s no way I can show my swimsuit appearance again in that state!”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, Thor-sama. This was my failure.”
“Indeed. As punishment, Mabel shall model in a swimsuit—just kidding! You don’t need to get ready with such a serious face!! And Thor, stop cheerfully preparing the materials!”
Yep, I got scolded again.
But come on, wouldn’t you want to make a swimsuit figure?
If I had known from the start that I’d get to make a “Rukie-sama Swimsuit Figure,” I would’ve prepared much more carefully. I’d have gotten it done today before she could change her mind.
“Well… as for the swimsuit, maybe someday when the time is right.”
Suddenly, Rukie said that.
Her face—now maskless—was bright red, and her eyes were looking far off into the distance.
“When I’ve built up the resolve again, I’ll let you make a figure of me in a swimsuit. Until then, wait patiently.”
“Yes, Rukie-sama.”
“Mabel, you wait too. Just because Thor requested it doesn’t mean you should go modeling for a ‘Mabel Swimsuit Figure.’ Got it?”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Why do you look disappointed!? Honestly.”
“It’s alright. I understand now.”
Someday, Rukie will model for a “swimsuit figure.” That alone is enough for now.
So for now—
“Then let’s start over, and please model for a cool ‘Rukie-sama Figure!’”
“That’s where this conversation ends up!?”
“I’ll help too, Your Majesty.”
“Mabel too… Aah, fine! I’ll model for you. But in exchange, Mabel has to help. You’ll share the experience of being stared at by Thor!”
And so, I began the creation of the “Demon Lord Rukie and Mabel Figure” anew—
First, I tried to make a rough prototype—
“…Something’s off.”
“It is?”
“I think the shape is coming along well. But… it feels like it lacks a soul. I guess I still need more training if I want to catch up with the Heroic World.”
“Training? What kind, exactly?”
“Well, I think it’s similar to training in painting or sculpture, so…”
For beginners, it’s hard to capture the shape of clothing.
Also, in painting, there’s a practice method to learn how to shape the human form roughly.
If that’s the case—
“I think I’ll start by shaping ‘Rukie-sama as she truly is,’ with as little clothing as possible.”
“So in the end, I have to strip again—!?”
And thus, the project hit a dead end—
Until Rukie regained her resolve, the figure-making was put on hold.