Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 184: “Princess Liana and Mabel, Make Preparations”
──A few days ago, in the Imperial Capital, Princess Liana──
“Let us make thorough preparations before heading to the borderlands.”
This was the Dolgaria Empire, in the Imperial Capital. In a room of the palace, Princess Liana was giving instructions to her subordinates.
“We must not startle Sister Sophia or those from the Demon Lord’s Territory. Keep the number of soldiers to a minimum, and make the carriages and clothing simple.”
“Is that acceptable, Your Highness?”
“Yes. But only to the extent that it does not appear disrespectful.”
Liana spoke with a dignified expression. Her appearance, full of resolve, made the maids and soldiers sigh in admiration. She was truly the embodiment of the “Princess of the Holy Sword,” the ideal of the Empire’s people.
What Liana truly desired, however, was to show her honest self before Sophia and Thor.
“Brother Diaz said he would soon send an envoy to the Demon Lord’s Territory.”
Liana continued.
“It has already been decided that I will accompany them.”
“──Oh.”
“──The ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’ accompanying the envoy?”
“──This must be a very important mission.”
Her subordinates murmured in surprise. Liana raised her hand as if to calm them. Once silence returned, Liana addressed them:
“As an attendant of the envoy, I must present myself properly.”
She declared this clearly.
“So that I won’t bring shame to my sister──no, to those in the borderlands or those in the Demon Lord’s Territory! Those who will accompany me must have their clothes neat and crisp──no, properly arranged. Maids, assist with my preparations quickly. Understood!?”
“””Understood, Your Highness!!”””
Her subordinates responded in unison. And so, Princess Liana began her preparations to meet Sophia and Thor.
──Meanwhile, Mabel and her group, who had gone to gather materials──
“To get through the Forest of Confusion, you’ve got to do it properly!”
In the forest, the “Ancestor” said.
“To do that, you need to fully become an animal. So Mabel-kun, you should take off all your clothes here. Then, if you put on the pajamas that let you disguise yourself as an animal directly over your bare skin, I think you’ll be able to pass through the forest.”
“E-eeeeeeh!?”
Mabel couldn’t help but cry out.
A few days after leaving the elf village, Mabel and her companions had arrived at the trial area in the “Forest of Confusion.” This was the place where “you can pass through if you fully become an animal.” To obtain the materials, they had to get through this area first.
Thinking that, Mabel asked the Ancestor, “Please tell me a guaranteed way to get through.” The answer had been: “Take off all your clothes.”
The Ancestor continued explaining:
──An elf who once obtained the “mental resonance material” had passed through this place.
──That elf had wandered so much that their clothes were torn, and they were nearly naked.
──They had lost their reason and acted like an animal.
──That was how they passed through the Forest of Confusion.
“So, if you want to pass through here, it’s best to wear nothing under your pajamas.”
The Ancestor said.
“After all, animals don’t wear clothes, right?”
“That’s… true.”
“The disguise pajamas can fool appearances. But since this is a barrier created by a dragon, it can see a bit of your true nature. So──”
“You mean we have to be naked under the pajamas.”
“Fortunately, everyone here is a girl. No need to worry.”
“…Okay.”
Mabel nodded.
The golden wolf Karotia was a girl.
The guardian pixie fairies were also all girls.
There shouldn’t be a problem changing in front of everyone—but──
“”””For the sake of the Alchemist-sama!””””
Splat!
While Mabel was still thinking, the pixies had already tossed off their clothes. It took only a second. There wasn’t a trace of hesitation.
After doing so, they began folding their clothes neatly. The clothes they wore were made from “enchanted fiber” and had been gifted by Thor. They couldn’t treat them carelessly.
Holding their folded clothes, the pixies came to Mabel. Mabel took the clothes and stored them in the “ultra-compact portable storage.”
Meanwhile, the pixies began changing into their cat-shaped disguise pajamas. Watching them prepare without hesitation, Mabel thought──
(I am Thor-sama’s first subordinate. I cannot afford to hesitate!)
Mabel is also Thor’s fiancée.
To be precise, she’s one of his fiancées, but her feelings for Thor are second to none.
Probably—even stronger than Demon Lord Rukie’s.
Well, the winged fairies, the Pixies, used to live naked before the Hero came to this world, so they probably have no resistance to taking off their clothes in front of friends—but that’s beside the point.
This is a matter of Mabel’s resolve and pride.
(If Thor-sama were here, I’m sure I wouldn’t be hesitating.)
That much she could say with certainty.
On the contrary, Mabel might have been the one to rush Thor.
They would undress with their backs to each other… Mabel would take Thor’s clothes, fold them, and place them in the “ultra-compact portable storage” along with hers, still warm from their bodies.
And maybe she’d accidentally catch a glimpse of Thor’s surprisingly sturdy back…
Then, wearing only the “transformation pajamas” directly on their bare skin, they’d walk side by side—
Poof.
Mabel’s face turned bright red.
“I started thinking about something strange. Even though I have a duty and a role to fulfill…”
“I don’t really get it, but I don’t think you need to worry about it,”
The golden wolf “Ancestor” tilted its head.
“Beastfolk or human, we should all live by our instincts like animals do!”
“I’ll think about that after we get out of the forest.”
“Good luck. I’m on your side!”
“…Ugh.”
Her face felt hot.
No, her entire body did.
(…Now that I think about it, Miss Lune the winged fairy said something strange.)
Mabel recalled something she had heard back in the forest of the winged fairies.
She was pretty sure it went like this:
“Soleil has already bathed in the alchemist’s bath, and wears clothes made by the alchemist. In other words, it is as if her bare body is being embraced by the alchemist himself.”
(I also bathed in Thor-sama’s bath and wore his pajamas. Which means…)
Shake shake shake shake.
Mabel hurriedly shook her head.
Her body was already hot, and sweat had begun to form under her pajamas.
Any more thoughts about Thor-sama would be dangerous—judging so, Mabel began undressing.
She dropped the “transformation pajamas” to the ground and was now in her underwear.
Then, she dressed as instructed by the “Ancestor,” and put the “transformation pajamas” back on.
(…I am an animal. I will become an animal and make it through this forest.)
That way, she would find the “dragon bones” and bring them back to Thor.
(Mabel Refrain. As Thor-sama’s assistant, I will carry out my job properly!)
“Woof woof!”
“Yeah. Wau wau wan, right?”
““Meow meow meeeow!!””
““Safe travels—!!””
At the head of the group was the golden wolf “Ancestor.”
Behind her followed Mabel, now a silver dog, and two winged fairies turned into cats.
The two remaining winged fairies were in charge of carrying the luggage.
Their job was to protect the “ultra-compact portable storage,” secured with a “chain lock.”
Then why did they have to wear the “transformation pajamas”? When Mabel asked, they both replied, “It’s a matter of resolve!” Apparently, that was the reason.
(Please wait for me, Thor-sama. I will do my best!)
“Wau wau────n!”
Mabel’s howl echoed through the forest.
And so, with the “Ancestor” and the winged fairies, Mabel headed toward the deepest part of the “Forest of Lost Paths.”