Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

Sorry for the late post…

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Chapter 99 – I listened to the problems of the guardian deity

“Kiddo, I have a favour to ask of you.”  [Gai]

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”  [Youki]

Thinking that it would be nice to relax in my room once in a while, I was lying on my bed in a daze. As such, when Gai started speaking to me, I gave him a random reply.

“I want to work.”  [Gai]

“You want to… work?”  [Youki]

“Yeah, I can’t remain as a parasite like this, so please help me.”  [Gai]

“Wait, that’s too sudden!”  [Youki]

“I’m begging you, please.”  [Gai]

He started kneeling towards me. It was unexpected for one, who was as prideful as Gai, to prostrate himself. For the time being, I asked him to raise his head so I could ask him for the reason.

“What happened?”  [Youki]

“You know how troubled I’ve been feeling lately, right?”  [Gai]

“Well, yeah.”  [Youki]

He was concerned that he was becoming Tiel-chan’s pimp. I was so preoccupied with the thoughts about Cecilia lately that I had forgotten about him.

“I can’t think of any good plan no matter what. The moment I step outside this inn, I’ll be surrounded by enemies. Even when I need to go outside, I still need your help.”  [Gai]

“You can use magic to make yourself invisible to sneak out on a quiet night.”  [Youki]

Although, once the magic wears off, it’ll spell trouble, so he can’t go that far either.

“I know it. I know that being able to work in a human society will remain a pipe dream for me.”  [Gai]

“Gai…”  [Youki]

“Regardless!”  [Gai]

He forcefully slammed his fist on the floor.

“Every time Tiel came for a visit, she handed me a bag full of magic ores with a smile on her face while telling me to dig in. I wasn’t able to decline her either. And when I was done, she would smile happily, telling me that she’d be back again… I wonder how much of her hard-earned salary that was spent on me.”  [Gai]

“Ah yeah, that’s a bit…”  [Youki]

“It’s a pathetic story, but I can’t bear with it anymore… You won’t be able to understand this feeling.”  [Gai]

“…Sorry.”  [Youki]

Listening to that almost brought me to tears. Even if he refused, she wouldn’t listen. Declining too strongly would only bring about a negative effect since he wouldn’t know what she might do. Tiel-chan is someone who needs to be dealt with carefully.

“If this carries on, it won’t do both of us any good.”  [Gai]

“Hmmm, but when you were in that village, you received offerings as well, right? Isn’t that the same thing?”  [Youki]

“That’s true. But, I can’t bring myself to accept them now even if I was fine receiving them in the past. If it’s possible, I’d like to return all that she’s given me, including what I accepted before.”  [Gai]

“Hmm…”  [Youki]

This is starting to become a serious talk. In any case, it wouldn’t be a good idea to remain as a pimp like this.

“If you could earn money, you could get your own room, too.”  [Youki]

“Hmm, well, I guess so.”  [Gai]

I wouldn’t need to watch them flirt with each other, or be forced to leave my own room due to the awkwardness as well.

“Alright, leave it to me.”  [Youki]

My relationship with Cecilia seemed to have improved thanks to Mikana, Celia-san, and Raven. It was my turn to do something for someone.

“Sorry for troubling you, but thank you.”  [Gai]

Above all, I couldn’t treat Gai, who was behaving so humbly, cruelly.

“Well, first of all, we’ll need to think of a method to get you outside.”  [Youki]

Several issues need consideration. Firstly, Gai possesses a body made of stone, with an unnatural height for a human. Additionally, he has wings, horns, and a face resembling that of an ogre. The moment he enters town, Raven would immediately pursue him. Even if I attempted to conceal his body with armour, similar to what I did with Duke, his face would still be exposed. This presents a challenge; I can’t devise a solution as quickly as I did with Duke, Happiness, and Sheik.

“I guess it’s impossible after all.”  [Gai]

“Don’t give up so easily. Is that determination of yours so weak that you’re giving up already?”  [Youki]

“B-But, I’ve been racking my brain over it for so long lately.”  [Gai]

“Hmph, excuses. If you are determined enough, you’ll stop with the complaints and keep exploring the possibilities. Keep trying. I’m definite that there’s a way out.”  [Youki]

I was so excited that my switch was flipped.

“Urk… that’s true. Let’s think about it.”  [Gai]

“That’s the spirit.”  [Youki]

At that moment, probably because my switch was flipped, a lightbulb went off in my head.

“Gai, I’ve got an idea.”  [Youki]

“What!? Really?”  [Gai]

“Yeah, but we can’t carry this out unless you’ve steeled yourself. In a worst-case scenario, if we fail…”  [Youki]

“…I’m ready. Let me hear your plan, kiddo.”  [Gai]

“Hmph, then here’s the idea.”  [Youki]

I explained to Gai the idea that I came up with. It wasn’t a superficial plan or a joke. As I did so, Gai listened to me with a serious expression while nodding quietly. In the end, he agreed to put my plan into action. We needed various items, so we proceeded to clear our shopping list on that day itself. Then, on the same night, the two of us snuck out of the inn and headed to a deserted forest on the outskirts of town.

“Don’t make any sound.”  [Youki]

“I know.”  [Gai]

“Okay, then let’s get started. Your body will be completely remodeled.”  [Youki]

The strategy I devised was rather simple; removing the conspicuous parts, much like how I broke off my horns and concealed my wings. However, Gai couldn’t regenerate his body as freely as I could. If he were to transform into a variant of Rock Eater, though, it might be possible. With that in mind, I headed to Tarevoke Merchant Guild to procure the materials dropped by the Rock Eater variant. Although it was quite expensive, considering Gai’s future, it was a worthwhile investment.

“Just to let you know, your body parts grew back last time, but I can’t guarantee that the same will happen again this time.”  [Youki]

“I am aware of it.”  [Gai]

Gai was merciless. He broke his own wings and ate the parts of Rock Eater.

“Nothing’s happening…”  [Gai]

“Magic ores. Eat the magic ores too!”  [Youki]

I scooped up and shoved as many magic ores as I could into Gai’s mouth.

“Mph… my body feels hot!”  [Gai]

As he writhed in agony, his broken wings regenerated again like before.

“I guess you’ll need to eat the magic ores as well. But I suppose it won’t work unless it’s the mutated Rock Eater.”  [Youki]

“I don’t know about that, but regardless, there’s no turning back now.”  [Gai]

“Yeah. Then, shall we continue?”  [Youki]

And so, we proceeded to break the horns and wings again and feed Gai the magic ores to repair the cracks. The first stage of the operation has been completed.

“…So, what will we do next? You’ve only explained to me the part about the horns and wings.”  [Gai]

“That’s because I don’t know if we can regrow them. Leave your exterior to me.”  [Youki]

“I know it’s too late to say this, but I’m feeling uneasy…”  [Gai]

I handed over what I bought, despite Gai’s concerns. I made sure to gather the items from various sources, visiting several shops in nearby villages and buying from traveling merchants, just to be on the safe side.

You can never be too careful in case something unexpected happens. Although, not that anything will really happen, I think…

“…I’ve put them on, but will it be alright?”  [Gai]

“Okay, that’s perfect. Now let’s register with the guild.”  [Youki]

“This won’t work. Especially not in this outfit.”  [Gai]

“Don’t worry. I’ll come with you.”  [Youki]

I’ll back you up so you’re able to register successfully. If you ask Clayman for help, he’ll give the green light right away, too!

“I’ll still stand out even if you’re with me.”  [Gai]

Gai still seemed hesitant. Since we had come this far, he should make up his mind.

“There’s no helping it. Shall I lend you a hand?”  [Youki]

“…What are you planning to do?”  [Gai]

“Kukuku, leave everything to me.”  [Youki]

“…I’m worried.”  [Gai]

I ignored Gai’s anxiousness and made a plan on my own. Since I had everything prepared, I decided to return to the inn and meet up with Gai the next morning. There were plenty of hiding spots in the forest. In a worst-case scenario, he could pretend to be a human to try to deceive them, so it should be fine.

“I guess I should do my best, for Gai’s sake as well.”  [Youki]

I released the items that I had sealed off and prepared for tomorrow.

The next day, I safely met up with Gai and went to the guild. The reason was naturally for Gai to register with the guild.

“Hey, I am feeling super anxious from just walking around town. Will this really work out?”  [Gai]

“Don’t worry about it. Also, don’t call me by my name. At the moment, I am…”  [Youki]

“Umm, excuse me. Do you have any business with the guild?”

The usual female staff member called out to me. I supposed I should refrain from speaking at the entrance since we were interfering with their jobs.

“Yeah, I’d like to register him as a new member. Would it be okay?”  [Youki]

“Y-Yes. This i-individual, right? Just to confirm, have you registered with the guild before?”

“What are you talking about? I’ve previously registered with you.”  [Youki]

“I-I see. Please excuse me. Please take a seat here.”

The female staff looked bewildered. Did something happen? I shouldn’t have done anything weird, right?

“Hey, what have you done to that girl?”  [Gai]

“I don’t remember.”  [Youki]

We headed towards the reception desk, as instructed. It was a bit late to notice, but the adventurers around were giving us sharp looks. It wasn’t just directed at Gai, but me, too. As the saying goes, ‘If you wanted to hide a tree, the forest was the best place’. If there was no forest, then we should just make a forest.

“Hey, we’re really standing out. Is it okay?”  [Gai]

“Don’t worry about what others think.”  [Youki]

“How can I not worry?!”  [Gai]

While Gai was voicing his complaints, we made ourselves comfortable at the place we were directed to.

Now, to register Gai with the guild.

“Heey, Sierra-chaan, gimme a mission.” 

A tipsy adventurer staggered towards us. I learned of the name of that female staff for the first time. She’s always been ‘a female staff member’ in my mind. Regardless, I wasn’t impressed by someone drinking from the morning. I stood up from my chair to calm the drunkard.

“Sorry, but we’re here first. Please wait until we’re done.”  [Youki]

“Hmmm? Whaat’s that? You’re a suspicious-looking little prick.” 

Drunken people are hopeless. Don’t you all know who I am? Alright, then I’ll grace you all with the answer.

“My name’s Magic Knight of Black Lightning! I’ve returned to the guild after a long time for the sake of my friend.”

I struck a pose in front of the drunken man, causing the rest of the adventurers and guild staff to freeze in a stupor.

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