Kays Translations

Chapter 184: “Princess Liana and Mabel Make Preparations”

──A few days earlier, in the Imperial Capital—Princess Liana──

“Let us make thorough preparations before heading to the borderlands.”

This was the Imperial Capital of the Dorgalia Empire. In a room of the palace, Princess Liana was giving instructions to her subordinates.

“We mustn’t startle Sister Sophia or the people of the Demon Lord’s Domain. Keep the number of soldiers to a minimum, and make the carriages and clothing modest.”

“Is that acceptable, Your Highness?”

“Yes. But only to the extent that it doesn’t 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 Domain.”

Liana continued.

“It’s already been decided that I’ll accompany the envoy.”

“──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 don’t bring shame upon my sister──no, upon the people of the borderlands or the Demon Lord’s Domain! Those accompanying me must keep their clothes neat and crisp──no, must conduct themselves properly. Maids, assist with my preparations at once. 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 “Mind-Responsive 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 Role-Play Pajamas can deceive the eye. But because this barrier was created by a dragon, it can perceive a little of your true nature. So──”

“You mean we have to be naked under the pajamas.”

“Fortunately, everyone here is female. There’s no need to worry.”

“…Okay.”

Mabel nodded.

The golden wolf Karotia was female.

The guardian winged pixies were also all female.

There shouldn’t be a problem changing in front of everyone—but──

“For 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.

Afterward, they began folding their clothes neatly. Their clothing was made from “Magical Weave Fabric” and had been given to them by Thor. They couldn’t treat it carelessly.

Holding the folded clothes, the pixies approached Mabel. She took them and stored them in the “Miniature Simple Storage.”

Meanwhile, the pixies began changing into their cat-shaped Role-Play Pajamas. Watching them prepare without hesitation, Mabel thought──

(I’m Thor-sama’s first subordinate. I can’t afford to hesitate!)

Mabel was also Thor’s fiancée.

Strictly speaking, she was one of his fiancées, but her feelings for Thor were second to none.

Perhaps they were even stronger than Demon Lord Rukie’s.

The winged pixies had lived naked before the Hero came to this world, so they probably had no resistance to undressing in front of friends—but that was 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 “Miniature Simple Storage” alongside her own, while they were still warm from their bodies.

And maybe she’d accidentally catch a glimpse of Thor’s surprisingly sturdy back…

Then, wearing only the “Role-Play Pajamas” directly against their bare skin, they would 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 understand, but I don’t think you need to worry about it.”

The golden wolf Ancestor tilted her head.

“Whether beastkin or human, everyone should live by their instincts, just as 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.

(…Come to think of it, Lune, the winged pixie, said something strange.)

Mabel recalled something she had heard in the winged pixies’ forest.

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’s 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 lowered the “Role-Play Pajamas” to the ground and stood in her underwear.

Then, following the Ancestor’s instructions, she put the “Role-Play Pajamas” back on.

(…I’m an animal. I’ll 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’ll 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 pixies transformed into cats.

The two remaining winged pixies were responsible for carrying the luggage.

Their task was to protect the “Miniature Simple Storage,” secured with a “Chain Lock.”

Then why did they need to wear the “Role-Play Pajamas”? When Mabel asked, both replied, “It’s a matter of resolve!” Apparently, that was their reason.

(Please wait for me, Thor-sama. I’ll do my best!)
“Wau wau────n!”

Mabel’s howl echoed through the forest.

And so, accompanied by the Ancestor and the winged pixies, Mabel headed toward the deepest part of the Forest of Confusion.

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