Chapter 3
Chapter 3 - Underwear is protective gear. Defense area must be large. Otherwise the son will die!
A voice was trying to wake up Masato who was still sleeping. That voice did not have a fragment of gentleness.
“Hey, get up already. Drinking mama’s milk first thing in the morning is part of a mothercon hero’s routine, right? Get up now and go drink it already. You can’t wait to see your mama, right?”
Masato continued to shut his eyelids stubbornly. Who would wake up to those kind of words......
“Aah I see. Could it be that you are the type that doesn’t get up until you get your favorite mama’s morning kiss? I understand. Then I will call Mamako-san for you.”
“Oi, don’t do anything unnecessary! Mom will seriously do it......!”
To prevent her from calling out, he hurriedly got up, but *bang!* “Tsuu......!?” Masato hit something hard with his head all of a sudden.
“What the heck......huh......eh?”
It was pitch black when he opened his eyes. Turning around slightly, he felt something hard encasing all around his body.
It seemed that he was in a box......there was no exit, so he just pushed against the darkness before his eyes while lying on his back, the space before his eyes surprisingly opened up as he pushed.
As he sat up, Masato saw that he was inside a coffin.
“......Erm......why am being I treated as dead......this is......?”
He remembered. It was yesterday, after Wise became their companion, they had talked about staying in an inn.
“It was about deciding who would share rooms with whom, wasn’t it......”
The rooms in this inn were all twin rooms. After Masato refused to share the room with Mamako, and also being rejected by everyone for quite a regrettable reason when he suggested sharing room with Porta......it was settled with Masato pairing up with Wise to share a room.
After they had finished their meal in the inn, when Masato was going to enter the room.
“Supra・La・Magia・Peru・Mirare......Death(Morte)!”
He felt it when he heard such a voice, something suddenly penetrated his body like a grim reaper, and Masato lost his consciousness soon after that. That’s it! That’s definitely the case! That was exactly the cause of the current situation.
Holding such convictions, Masato glared at the girl who was lying down luxuriously on the two-combined-into-one bed.
“Oi. You insta-killed me, right?”
“Isn’t it fine? Since I insta-revived you.”
There she was, the Sage Wise, who had the magical power and technique to use both instant death magic and resurrection magic.
“Rather, why are you not affected? Aren’t you supposed to be straight on course to jail from the PK penalty? You criminal.”
“That’s supposed to be the case. Honestly speaking, I also thought [Oh no!], but the penalty did not activate. Perhaps PK penalty only happens in the field? Or maybe it does not apply to companions. Regardless, I am lucky.”
“Alright, I got it, I will report this as a bug.”
“Hey, don’t do that. It’s absolutely necessary for me to protect my chastity......I reluctantly gave an OK since there was no other choice, but it’s impossible for me to sleep in the same room with you after all. I can’t sleep peacefully at all. It’s just like tossing a maiden into a cage with a beast in it.”
“You have been nonchalantly treating me as a mothercon all these while, only at such kind of time you treat me as a man huh.”
“That is that, this is this......Rather, instead of talking about that, hurry up and get ready. Mamako-san said that we will have breakfast after you get up. I am already ready and waiting. So hurry up, you trash.”
Wise laid in bed as she was, and urged [Hurry up and go wash your face] with her foot *shoo shoo* driving him away. However, that posture caused her skirt to flutter up, and the inside was peeking out.
“Ok ok I got it......geez......suddenly killing me......I won’t do anything......you don’t have that worth. No charm at all. Nothing to look at all. Stupid.”
“Did you say something?”
“Nothing. Geez.”
He couldn’t help getting angry, but first, he would rather wash his face and refresh himself.
Masato entered the washroom that was also the bathroom. In the room that had a wash basin, a toilet and a bathtub designed to fit in, a fragrance of soap wafted about, Wise probably took a shower just now......
On the rope that stretched from one end of the wall to the other, laundry was hung for drying. It was all maiden’s underwear of about five days’ worth.
“I-If she is conscious of me as a guy, then be careful about such things......geez......these are definitely divided by colours according to the days of the week[1]......which day of the week is black for......”
“Did you say something......huh......fuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”
She bounced off the bed, stomped over and swiftly took down everything.
Wise barked with a blushed face as red as a tomato.
“G-Going out on a journey means these kind of things!”
“Ah yes yes, I see.”
“Even that heroine you are familiar with as well, when staying at an inn, she would quickly wash her panties in the wash basin and dry them in the room! If not, it would mean that she is just wearing the same panties for days on the journey!”
“Oi you! Stop making that speech which breaks a teenager’s dream!”
An actual journey had various hardships.
“Now then, everyone clasp your hands......itadakimasu.[2]”
“““Itadakimasu.”””
“Alright, here. Enjoy your meal.”
The first floor of the inn operated as a restaurant for adventurers to dine in the morning and in the evening.
Lined up on the antique table were chopsticks, rice, egg, miso soup, grilled fish and tsukudani.[3] It was a handmade breakfast by Mamako.
Looking outside the window, warriors in armor and sorcerers holding staves were passing by naturally. Seeing that kind of scenery along with a Japanese breakfast somehow felt wrong......
“......Well, whatever.”
Masato seemed to be in a relaxed mood. The reason was that breakfast, especially the miso soup.
Usually it was quickly drunk down, without any awareness to its taste or flavor, but they clearly understood it. [This is it] [That usual one] [Mom’s flavor] that was.
Without a doubt, they could welcome their first morning in the RPG world with the usual atmosphere thanks to this breakfast that was made by Mamako.
“How is it, Maa-kun? Is it delicious?”
“Eh?......Ahh, well......it’s more or less delicious.”
“Mom’s glad to hear that. Bringing miso and dashi along was the right choice. Mom believed that if we are to live in an environment different from the usual, this matter is all the more important. Maa-kun liking it makes mom happy......”
“Tama kake gohan[4] and seaweed miso soup is really too much! I am so touched after encountering my roots after such a long time! Uuuu! My tears just! My tears can’t stopppp!”
“W-Wise-san!? Are you alright!?”
“Noisy fella......eat your food quietly......”
“Ah geez, ah geez! I’m taking off my shoes! I will eat in seiza![5] I will savor this Japanese food even if my feet end up numb!”
“Then since it’s such a rare opportunity, maybe mom should also sit in seiza. On the chair mom goes, heave-ho.”
“I will also sit in seiza! Heave-ho!”
“Geez, spare me from that......where are all these Japanese tourists from......heave-ho.”
The Japanese Hero sat on top of the chair in agura[6] while grumbling. It couldn’t be helped since he was a Japanese too. It just couldn’t be helped.
The breakfast ended as such.
After the meal. While sipping on the green tea that Mamako brewed, they discussed the plans for the day.
“The party will consist of us four people for the time being. Porta is a non-combatant, so it will become three people fighting......even without a defender, I feel that with mom dishing out her all target attack at the same time when battle starts, it will work out somehow.”
“You should rely on me, who is a Sage instead! Attack, recovery, support, you can leave anything to me! You can expect a lot from my magic too! Fufun!”
“Yes yes that’s true......With that done, the next thing to do after searching for companions is......”
“Of course, it’s shopping! Shopping! Shopping!” (TL note: The last shopping was spelled out in English since Mamako is a housewife, and a housewife just gets hype from shopping.)
Mamako who was holding the guide book in her hand spoke up with an energetic voice. She was unusually motivated. An aura that could be visible gushed out from her. Super Mamako.
“Not simply shopping, we need to buy things that improve our stats......”
“Today we are shopping for the whole day! Now what should mom go and buy!?” *Bounce bounce☆*
“It’s protective gear, of course. Mom and I are both wearing our usual clothes. First will be armor or......”
“Ah. That’s right, that’s right. Mom forgot to bring sunscreen. Is there any drug store around here? Mom’s toner also has little remaining......Ah, hand cream!”
“RPG doesn’t deal with such items. Give up.”
“But, mom will not have the confidence to go out anymore if mom doesn’t take care of her skin......mom also wouldn’t be able to turn towards a monster and show her face.”
“There is no need to be concerned about a monster’s gaze when fighting! Not to mention mom has a default -20 skin age, so it doesn’t matter!”
“I think that I want the pretty Mama-san to always remain pretty! Hence, I think that properly buying cosmetics is better!”
“Cosmetics are a necessity, aren’t they? I mean, wouldn’t that make the hate value towards Mamako-san drop? A feeling such as a pretty person must not be injured. I also support buying cosmetics. If we find a shop selling eyelash extensions, I will buy them immediately.”
“What’s an eyelash extension......what kind of RPG are we doing......isn’t this supposed to be a sword and magic RPG......”
What could this be? Words from reality that should not be in this imaginary fantasy world were exchanged around. “Drug store should be first!” “Yes!” “Ah, I need to buy lip cream.” Only the females were excited. There was no opening for the man to enter. Masato being there was already the same as not being there......
When suddenly, Wise raised her voice.
“Speaking of which, what do you think?”
“Hmm? About what?”
“How much money do you guys have?”
“Money? I don’t have any......does mom have any?”
“Of course. Mom brought all the secret savings along.”
Saying so, Mamako took out her wallet with great confidence. She opened it to show them.
Inside it, ten Japanese Yen bills were stacked together......Wise and Porta were slightly troubled.
“Ah, erm......you can’t use real money here. This is inside a game.”
“Eh?”
“In a game, you can’t use money apart from the in-game currency. Hence, you can’t buy things with those money......”
“Eh......erm......”
Mamako spaced out for a moment, but she didn’t give up! “Then how about this!” Mamako took out the national rice coupon! However, Wise shook her head. “In that case!” Mamako took out the national beer coupon! However, Porta shook her head apologetically.
“Erm......M-Maa-kun......”
“Give it up. It just means that.”
The penniless mother and son drooped down their heads.
“I’m sorry! To think that Porta-chan had to pay for the inn first! I will return the money used as soon as possible!”
“Please don’t worry about it! I am Mama-san and everyone’s companion, so my money is also everyone’s money! I will be glad to be able to use it!”
“Stop saying those cute words already! How much of a good child does Porta want to be!? I’m really gonna hug you, you little!”
They could not buy anything without money. They could not pay for the services provided. They could not do anything without doing the previous ones. They could not obtain money without doing something.
How should an adventurer obtain money? There was only one answer. Fight.
Masato’s party were walking outside the town searching for enemies.
“In any case, let’s defeat as many monsters as we can first. That will do for now!”
“Yes! After defeating a monster, the special cells in its body will remain without disappearing! It’s called [Gem], but that gem has different types like fuel and material, so we can receive money from the exchange center for it! That’s how we earn money through fighting!”
“More like, that’s the basics! Why didn’t you know!? Those commissioned agents should have explained it to you!”
“The one in charge of us is a troublesome person that doesn’t inform what should be informed!”
Shirase who was in some place sneezed......no, she was not such a sensitive person. She probably did not care. Since she’s Shirase.
“Please leave gem gathering to me! Since I cannot take part in battle, I will do my best in collecting gems! Betting on my honor as a travelling merchant, I will not leave out a single gem that’s worth some money!”
“Alright, we'll leave that to Porta! Mom and I will concentrate on fighting!”
“Understood! Let us mother and son combine our strengths and work hard!”
“Wait, I am also here! Please also rely on my magic!”
“Of course I plan to do that!......There!”
In front of the grassland they ran through, multiple shadows were there in between the gaps in the forest. The other side probably also noticed them. Silhouettes of wolves and bears moved about slowly.
The first to cut in was Wise. She quickly turned the pages after bringing out her grimoire.
“Witness my strength first!......Supra・La・Magia......”
“Mom cannot let her son be troubled over livelihood! Mom will work hard! Eii!”
Wise was in the attack motion earlier, but Mamako got the preempt. Her Holy Sword of Mother Earth Terra di Madre was swung down.
Mother’s attack called forth the Mother Earth, making countless stone blades protrude out from beneath the enemies’ feet. Following a magnificent all target attack, the group of monsters was pierced through and destroyed in an instant.
The monster group was defeated!
“Wait......even though I’m still in the middle of chanting......or rather, what was that......Mamako-san’s firepower is no joke at all......”
“You were late huh. Next time, start chanting earlier......There seem to be various dice-like things spinning at the place where those monsters were, could it be that they are gems?”
“Yes! Then let me collect them! Please wait for a while!”
The petite Porta ran around agilely, picking up those spinning colorful gems. That figure was just like a cute little squirrel gathering nuts from trees in a dream. “Then let me feed Porta after she finishes collecting.” “Maa-kun......” Mother watched him with sad eyes.
And then.
“Maa-kun! There is something moving in the tree shade over there!”
“What did you say!?......Ooh, it seems to be a monster-like shadow there as well!”
“OK, leave it to me! This time for sure!......Supra・La・Magi......”
“Mom will not lose! Eii!”
The first to move was Wise, but the rest could be omitted.
Facing the suspicious tree shade, Mamako swung her Holy Sword of Mother Sea Altura. Water overflowed from the sword path, becoming countless water bullets and shot out at the same time. Those huge ants, spiders and centipedes that only showed their figures, were now drilled full of holes and had collapsed.
The monster group was defeated!
“......L-Look here......my magic needs chanting to......”
And Wise was saying something, but at that moment, a fanfare suddenly rang, a screen popped up in front of Masato and Mamako. The words [Level up!] bounced out.
“Oh. Level up feels like this huh......heh......HP and MP, along with other basic status automatically increases......SP received......fumu fumu, spending the points called SP to create my own style or something like that huh.”
“Oh my, it’s points. Mom loves points. Mom will save them for the time being.”
“Oi the person over there. These points are not the points that can be exchanged for shopping coupons or prizes, you know? You need to properly allocate them to your statuses......aah, no, maybe saving them up can learn a special skill......now I can’t decide......”
“Deciding on how to use your SP can wait till later, listen to what I’m saying first. I have a cast time, which means I need a preparation time, so I need a little bit of time before my magic activates......”
Wise was saying something, but once again, all of a sudden at that moment!
“Maa-kun, look up!”
“Ooh, there’s monster in the sky as well huh! Although there’s only one!”
“Alright, sword cannot reach the sky! It’s my turn!......Supa......”
“Leave the enemy in the sky to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
About Wise, it already didn’t matter.
Masato held his Holy Sword of the Sky Firmament tightly. This was the only place he could be active. This was something he definitely could not yield. He put all his body and soul into it and swung the sword. The transparent blade released a slash wave which glided up into the sky.
The auto-homing slash “Piyo!?” hit the sparrow-sized enemy monster, whose name was also Piyotan, and defeated it.
One monster was defeated!
“You did it, Maa-kun! Maa-kun’s strength impressed mom!” *Good job☆”
“Kuh......don’t cry, me......there’s no point in crying......I will lose if I compare mom to myself......”
“Sorry to have kept everyone waiting! I have collected all the gems! There are none left over!”
“Alright! Next time for sure! Next time when enemies are dominant in the sky, I will play an active role! Not winning because of mom’s strength, I will obtain victory with my own strength!”
“Ufufu, so reliable. Then let’s move on.”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
Wiping away the little droplets of tears, Masato started running. Mamako watched her reliable son’s figure as he raised his spirits, Porta was also full of motivation to work hard, the hero group moved forward to look for more enemies.
However, there was one person.
“......I......am not needed in this party......”
The smart Sage who realized that she might not get a turn later on, stood on the spot while looking down on the ground with eyes that looked as if she had her reason for existing.
Before the grassland, there was a hill with a good view. The group followed Mamako’s suggestion and took a break there.
“Al~right, everyone. Let’s take a break around here.”
“Yes! Let’s take a break!”
“At first I thought that the Hero, that is myself, should’ve said that but......got it. I will rest a little.”
Be it a battle, or making decisions like that, he could not deny that he felt some dissatisfaction from Mamako who was somehow more outstanding than him, but......he suppressed that irritating feeling in his heart for now. He let his mind rest as well.
Though, on a closer look, they could only see three people. Wise was nowhere to be seen.
“I can’t find her whereabouts......she couldn’t do a single thing so......”
Was it sympathy from being in the same shoes, or he was sorry about his mom being just too strong, or rather he felt sorry for her. Out of apology as well, Masato searched for Wise.
He left for the tree shade a little away from the hill where Mamako and Porta were happily chatting. He predicted that a twisted and rebellious person like her would probably be around there so he peeked over, she really was there.
Squatting under the tree shade, Wise was crying with her shoulders shaking......
“Kukuku. Keep struggling, you powerless insect. C’mon c’mon, c’mon c’mon c’mon.”
He was wrong. The ants near her feet were being flicked and played around by a tree branch. It was a worrying condition in another meaning.
Masato bent down near that Wise......of course, while keeping a suitable distance.
Wise ignored him at first, but she expectedly sighed, and threw a small branch at Masato’s feet.
“......What do you want?”
“That’s my line......If you have something to say then just say it. Come on, hurry up and say it. Isn’t it fine to be stupid? I’m sorry for being a useless Sage. Hmph!”
“Being useless is a fact but......well, uh, how to put it......don’t be so concerned about it.”
“Not possible. My pride is already in shreds. It cannot be recovered.”
“That goes without saying......aah, that’s right. Here.”
Masato lightly rolled up his sleeve. There was a slight scratch wound on his arm.
“It seems that somehow I got scratched, can you do something about it? It’s a little painful.”
“Won’t it be fine if you get your favorite mama to lick it? She looks so young, maybe she possesses skin regeneration ability.”
“She doesn’t possess such a thing. As expected, my mom is not that much of a superhuman.”
“Then you can just get a recovery medicine from Porta. There is no need to use my magic, right......Trying to cheer me up like that is useless. Stop doing such trifling things. Hmph.”
Wise’s mood worsened, and faced away from him.
I get to treat my injury with your magic, it’s great to have Wise with us after all......something like that, it seemed that he couldn’t do it well. That plain encouragement was a failure......then.
“......Show me.”
While still facing the other way, Wise pinched and pulled Masato’s clothes.
“What? Are you going to treat me?”
“You guys don’t have any money, right? I just think that using an item for this level of injury is a waste of money. In other words, uneconomic. In that case, umm......using the most economic method effectively is the correct choice......”
“Which means, treating it with your magic?”
“I-I will tell you first! It’s not that I am cheered up or encouraged by you, I just thought that I will at least fulfill my role! Come on, hurry up and show me your arm!”
“Yes yes. Then I will rely on you.”
That dishonest girl. He thought that she might be that kind of person, and it was just as he thought after all. Masato showed his arm in front of Wise while smiling bitterly.
And then Wise took out her grimoire, chanted her spell. She activated her Chainspell.
“Supra・La・Magia・Peru・Mirare......Severing Wind(Vent・Tario)!”
“Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!? My arm is severedddddddddddddd!?”
“Furthermore! Recover(Cura)!”
“Ah, reconnected.”
Masato’s arm was cut off by a wind blade and then restored. Impressive.
“Fufun. How is my true ability? Say ‘it’s great to have you with us after all’.”
“I really don’t want to say it. More like I adamantly protest against it......Or rather, why didn’t the penalty activate? You totally attacked me just now, didn’t you? That’s an out. It’s a bug huh......”
“Hmm, isn’t it because it cannot determine between companions after all? I felt that that’s how it is.”
“Ah, that might be the case. Because it’s between companions, that is.”
Between companions. He purposely emphasized on those words, and Wise faintly opened her eyes wider “......Hmph.” and faced away.
Wise was getting embarrassed, her ears were slightly dyed in red, but he pretended not to see it.
“Anyway, just cheer up and come. You’re not the only one who lost against mom’s strength. I will also work hard.”
“Work hard you say......haa......well that’s right. Steadily leveling up, steadily earning SP, steadily raising status and skills by using those points......there’s no other way.”
“That’s how it is. We can only make a costless living style real in the game. Like how we may become the main attacker one day, we can only continue to do this without slacking off......As such.”
Masato thrusted out his fist towards Wise. Let’s work hard. Wise watched him in a way as if she admitted defeat towards a man’s feeling, but she thought that such a thing wasn’t bad.
Wise also lightly clenched her fist......knocked at his fist with the intention of being companions......just before that.
The ground shook.
“Oi, this is, that......!”
“Don’t tell me, again......!?”
Immediately after, the skill of Mother Earth, the support skill [Mother’s Fang] that could detect her son’s whereabouts and interrupt the current situation exploded, those two were split apart and blown off.
*Spin spin bounce* their flight track was shaped exactly like the contour of a heart......
No, it was just an imagination. That kind of thing could not be possible.
“I say, mom......I beg you, please call out normally first. Since I was quite close by.”
“Attacking companions does not seem to trigger penalty......defeating Mamako-san......that will become my life goal......”
“Sorry! Sorry for being a mom that uses technique she has just learned!”
Mamako was bowing her head in apology. Not going to mention where, but they were shaking a lot. Jiggling up and down, that said, it was not the kind of situation to watch that happen.
“So then, there is something that I want the two of you to take a look at, is it alright?”
Mamako brought Masato and Wise along and descended the hill. Partly because of influence from [Mother’s Fang], one portion of the terrain had deformed slightly, a huge cave opened up in the bowl-shaped depression from the large recession of the grassland.
A rope ladder had been lowered down to the cave and Porta’s face popped out from inside. What’s with this cave rabbit-like cuteness. So cute. Alright, let’s keep it.
“Ah, Masato-san, Wise-san, welcome back! Were you safe?”
“Well, somehow. What’s Porta doing?”
“I’m just taking a quick look inside it. Actually, there are signs of treasure inside this cave.”
“Travelling merchants have sharp senses for these kinds of things huh......So, how is it? Does there seem to be some outrageous treasure? Does it feel like the treasure is hidden?”
“It’s regretful, but it feels like there isn’t much money. However, it feels like there is some weird tool inside.”
“Some weird tool huh......fumu......”
“Hey Maa-kun, what do you think we should do?”
What should we do huh? Masato pondered a little.
Treasure hunting. He honestly wanted to do it from just thinking about those words. However, after watching their appearances with a calmed mind......leaving aside Porta and Wise, Masato’s and Mamako’s equipments were of worrying materials.
Masato wore parker jacket and cargo pants for indoors. Mamako wore a one-piece for going out.
Leaving aside attack power, their defense power was bare-bones.
“It’s already dangerous to fight against monsters in this state at this point of time, and treasure hunting on top of that......”
He should swallow his tears and give up here. He believed that it would be the safe choice.
However, was it really fine to leave this cave that might have a special item alone? While Masato’s party were still preparing their equipments, there was a high possibility that other adventurers might encounter it by coincidence and search around. In that case.
“......Wise. Can your magic raise the defense power of me and mom?”
“Of course. Defense magic is the most basic of basics. It’s a matter of fact to learn it. Your defense power value will be increased until the buff time is over. Look forward to my magic.”
“Alright, I have decided......So then......”
“So then, let’s go treasure hunting! Let’s do our best!”
“Hey, it’s supposed to be my command......”
Under Mamako’s leadership, “““Ou!””” they replied, Masato’s party started their infiltration into the cave. “Let me guide everyone down up to where I have gone to!” Porta descended down the vertical cave.
“I will go down next. I shall be the exploration team leader. I have just obtained the exploration captain title.”
“Then mom will be next......oh no, thinking about it, mom is wearing a skirt. Maa-kun will see it from below.” *Blush.*
“Stop blushing, mother! I won’t look at it even if I die!”
“Saying that you won’t look even if you die......sob sob......even though mom is wearing a new pair......even though it’s a T-back so that the underwear line won’t show on her butt......”
“Stop giving unnecessary information! Fine, you go down first! I will go next!”
“Wait there! I’m also wearing a skirt! Are you intending to peek from below!?”
“Eeh!? Even though you don’t want to look at mom’s underwear, you want to look at Wise’s!? What does this mean!?”
“It’s totally normal!......Ah, no, it’s not like I want to see Wise’s! Aah whatever, Wise go down first! I will just go last!”
Mamako descended down to the cave connected by the rope ladder, and Wise continued next. Finally, Masato started to descend into the cave......at that time.
A voice echoed from quite below.
*......To......so......ile!......*
Porta seemed to be shouting something, but it couldn’t be heard well.
“Oi Wise! Porta seems to be saying something below, did you catch it!?”
“Wait a moment! I’m trying to listen to Mamako-san!......Mamako-san!”
*......ple!.....ur......ther!......ait......ile!......*
“Ah, Yes! I got it! I will relay that!”
“What did she say?”
“She’s saying that the rope ladder cannot support four people descending together, so please wait for a while!”
“I see I see! I got it! Then help me pass the message below!”
“What?”
“I wish she had said that earlier, that is!”
“I know right! Rather, why don’t you say that yourself?”
“Well, that’s true! At this rate, sooner or later, more like we will meet them at an unusual speed so Nuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”
Unable to withstand their weight, the rope ladder snapped. Masato’s party began their freefall.
“Is everyone alright!? Anyone hurt!? Please respond!”
“Y-Yes! I’m alright!”
“I’m also fine. No problem at all.”
“What about Maa-kun!? Mom cannot hear Maa-kun’s voice!? Maa-kun, are you alright!? Where are you!?”
“Ah, Masato is fine. He’s right under our feet.”
“Doesn’t make sense......I was the last to go down the rope, so why was I the first to crash onto the ground and get stepped on......it doesn’t make sense at all......”
“The reason is simple. I used float magic on everyone in the party except you. It’s an all target magic with the exception of a specified target, not to mention the three of us will land on top of that exception, what an advanced technique, isn’t it?”
“You got some useless technique......”
“By the way, you have already been buffed with defense magic. You’re not injured right? How is it? Have you understood my magic’s greatness? If you understood then you may praise me. Come on.”
“Yes yes, great great......So, that’s fine and all, but......”
Masato endured the weight of three people on his back, and raised his face to look around.
However, he could not see a thing. The surroundings were completely dark. It was so dark that they could not even see their own hands.
“Oi Wise. Light up this place for the time being. We can’t even think about what to do like this.”
“OK. Leave it to this awesome Sage that is me. I will Chainspell fire magic to light this place up in a blink of an eye!......Supra・La・Magia......”
“Oi stop that! We don’t know what’s the surrounding like so don’t suddenly release fire! If done poorly, we will also be burned by it! Using simple light magic will do!”
“Eh......e-erm......that kind of magic, umm......how do I put it......”
Wise was troubled. She writhed about, furthermore, with her heels grinding and her toes kicking. Of course, she was grinding and kicking on Masato’s back. He took 0 damage because of defense magic, but it was very annoying.
“What’s with you? You can’t use that kind of magic? Geez, what a disappointing fella. Even though now is the chance to show off and get respected.”
“Don’t say that kind of thing! I know that the best myself!......Kuh, thinking that it’s useless and not learning it is my failureee......”
“You can’t use it......Then it’s an item’s turn here. Porta, do you have something that can light up?”
“S-Sorry......actually, I think I dropped my bag during the fall just now......I don’t have anything right now......”
“Oi seriously......we’re in trouble......”
“Sorry! I’m really sorry! I’m really sorry for being useless!......About the rope ladder as well, it would have been fine if I had said it first......sniff......”
Porta’s voice broke into sobs. Sniff sniff.* What else could it be if not crying?
“O-Oi. It’s not Porta’s fault, got it? You don’t need to cry, you know? Ok?”
“Sniff......but I’m sorry......sob......I’m sorry for being useless......”
“No, it’s fine. Porta is a very useful girl. Not bad at all. I acknowledge it.”
“Hey wait, that’s way too different from how you speak to me. What is this?”
“An evident difference in favorability rating.”
“Why you!”
Her grinding on his back increased in intensity, but he left it alone since it did no damage.
“Sniff......sorry......really sorry......sob......”
“Umm, erm......o-oi, Porta? You don’t have to worry at all, ok? I beg you, please stop crying, ok?”
What to do? What should I do? I’m sorry for my poor way of wording, I will say anything you like so please forgive me, though I’m apologizing while being stepped on already......
It happened just then. A gentle voice filled with warmth and softness spoke.
“Porta-chan. It’s alright. Everyone makes mistakes. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Mama-san......sob......b-but......we fell into this pitch black cave, what should we......”
“It’s alright. I will manage something about this degree of problem. Let’s cheer up together. Ei, ei, ou!”
Mamako raised her cheerful voice. When that happened.
Brightness lit up the surroundings. Mamako was shining.
Mamako learned the special skill [Mother’s light].
“O-Oh......?”
“Hey, what’s happening!? Mom is shining!? Light is coming out from her whole body!?”
“Mama-san is incredible! It’s very bright! Light is shining brightly!”
“That reminds me, my mama also shone a bit back in the day......she was so thrilled to travel with her daughter that she always acted so delightfully......fuu, that’s some nostalgic story......”
“What’s with the mothers in this world......did they get some weird ability modification......?”
Regardless, thanks to the light shining from Mamako’s body, the surroundings were brightened up.
It seemed that Masato’s party were at a three-way split in the cave. Looking up was the vertical cave which they could not see just now that continued on, and a cave each on their left and right. These caves big enough for them to walk without bending their bodies continued on to the depth.
“After coming this far, let’s leave thinking about how to get back to later. We can think about it after we’ve obtained the treasure. That’s probably what being an adventurer is about.”
The hero party would only move forward.
“Come on, Porta. Now is your turn. Can you lead us to where the treasure is?”
“Y-Yes! Its sign comes from here! Let me lead you there!”
Porta picked up her shoulder bag that fell nearby, and suddenly ran into the right-hand-side cave full of motivation. “My my, it’s dangerous to rush.” Mamako followed right behind her while illuminating the surrounding with her full body glow......
““......Ah......!?””
And then the two of them returned soon after. Porta and Mamako showed incredible intensity on their faces as they rushed back from withdrawing. “Wahyaaaaaaah!?” “Whwhwhwhwhwhwhwhwha!?” They seemed quite panicked.
“Hey, what happened to you two......huh......something is coming!?”
Slight vibrations were transmitted from underneath their feet. It seemed like something big was rushing there. Masato quickly took a stance.
His premonition was spot on. Behind the desperate Porta and Mamako......with a huge and soft body that was round, it was ‘that’. A slime.
“Oi oi, a classic amongst classics came out huh......even so, it’s really big.”
“It’s big indeed, but isn’t that the top of small fries, a slime? That kind of thing, I will use my magic to insta-kill it......Let this explosive flame produced by me instantly......!”
At that moment, the huge slime shook its whole body and let out an abnormal sound. That sound permeated the horizontal cave.
Mamako was not affected. Porta was not affected. Masato was also not affected.
Wise’s magic was sealed. “What the......” Wise stood there while looking down at her feet with eyes that looked like she was betrayed by everything in the world. She had nothing else left to do......
“I understand your feelings, but think about the situation! You idiot!”
“Eh?......Ah......!?”
That huge slime rushed forward. Masato quickly pulled Wise towards him and pushed her to the wall of the cave.(TL note: Splendid Kabe-don. Masato scored!) There, he covered her as a shield. “Wait!? You’re pressing!?” “It’s fine, don’t move......uoooh!?” A bouncing elasticity pressed on Masato’s back and pushed onto him just like that.
“Kuh! The front of my body feels like it’s hitting something, but my back feels so pleasant that I can’t feel the front at all!”
“I’m sorry for having a size that you can’t feel!”
“Uh well, now’s not the time to say such things. Let’s chase that thing!”
“Ah, hey, wait up! At least let me punch you once!”
Mamako and Porta would probably get upset. He was being chased and kept running away. Masato nimbly dodged Wise’s grimoire slap(bash property), and chased after that huge slime with quite the wonderful elasticity.
Screams and tremors continued deep inside the horizontal cave. Wise, who had a modest chest, was angrily throwing big rocks that grazed past Masato. Deeper inside.
After running for a while, light could be seen ahead in the cave. After raising his speed and reached that point, he saw a wide space in front of him. A huge, hollow area was dug out within the earth. Mamako and Porta were near its entrance.
“Mom! Porta! Are you two alright!?”
“Yes! Mama-san and me are both alright! We are not injured!”
“Mom was a bit surprised, but somehow we are fine. More importantly......that......”
“Aah......that’s some outrageous thing there......”
The interior of this cave was bright. At first he thought that it was due to light emitted from Mamako for sure, but it was not the case. It was the huge slime that shone.
Illusional firefly-like lights flew in from nowhere, and the huge body of that slime absorbed them one after another. The already huge slime continued to expand further.
“If we don’t do something about it soon, things will get out of hand......alright, let’s do it!”
“Understood! Mom will also work hard!......Porta-san, go to a safe spot, quick!”
“Yes! I will give it my all to support!”
“Alright! Then mom and me together......!”
“Wait a sec! I’m also here!”
And the one who raised her voice was Wise.
“Oi, don’t talk nonsense. Your magic is sealed, right?”
“Sorry to disappoint you. As time passed, the seal on my magic has been lifted. I can use magic again......Now is the time for my ability......!”
At that moment, the huge slime shook its body a little. That abnormal sound echoed inside the cave again.
Mamako was not affected. Porta was not affected. Masato was also not affected.
Wise’s magic was sealed. “I knew it would turn out like this!” Wise reluctantly used her grimoire as a pillow and laid down. With her magic sealed, she could not use magic, so she became a decoration.
“Pathetic fella. Go to a safe spot then sleep. Porta, can you take care of her?......Mom, are you going?”
“It’s alright. Mom will work hard and defeat it!”
“Sorry for getting caught up in the moment, but I will be the one to defeat it. So then......let’s go!”
Masato held his Holy Sword of the Sky Firmament, Mamako wielded her Holy Sword of Mother Earth Terra di Madre and Holy Sword of Mother Sea Altura, the hero and his mother moved out at the same time.
Masato made the pre-emptive slash. “My era has finally arrived!” Thrusting all the way to the tip of the expanding slime, he slashed with all his spirit......!
Miss. The huge slime leapt with speed that did not match its huge frame and evaded Masato’s attack easily.
“Kuh!? This fellow’s movement is this fast despite its big size!?”
“Leave it to mom! Eii!”
Mamako crossed Terra di Madre and Altura, then swung them both in one go. They were in a cave underground. Stone blades protruded out from the earth wall in all directions, furthermore, water droplet barrages were shot out together. This would be impossible to evade......
Miss. The huge slime jumped around in high speed like a gum ball, dodging all attacks.
There was only one enemy. It would be an easy overkill if it properly took damage, but if they could not hit, then there was obviously no damage.
“N-No way......even though mom worked hard......mom is feeling down.” *Depressed.*
“Oi mom! Don’t get discouraged! Hurry up and counterattack......!”
It’s here.
“*Gobibobobobobobobobobobobobo!*”
The slime opened up a hole by transforming and sprayed out large volumes of fluid. Its sliminess was like lotion and closed in on them at once. The target of his attack was......Mamako.
“Kuh! Mom!”
“Kyaa!”
Masato swiftly pushed Mamako onto the ground.(TL note: Kabe-don upgrade: Yuka-don! Masato critical score!) He immediately used his body as a shield to protect her, but......their opponent was fluid. The overlapped pair was swallowed by the slimy stream.
Then, seeing that the stream had subsided, when Masato was about to get up......
“Buha! Mom! Are you alright......huh......eh?”
“O-Oh?”
The one-piece that Mamako wore, who was pushed down under Masato, started to melt. Even the bra she wore underneath as well.
Mamako’s well-endowed twin hills *boing* revealed themselves before his eyes.
Ah, long time no see. I haven’t had a proper look at you since the time of our baths together when I was little.
“Hey, wait!? What’s wrong!? Even though my clothes show no sign of melting......ah!?”
As he was panicking, his hand slipped on the fluid and “Mufu!?” Masato’s face was thrust between those hills. *Squish squish boing boing.* Even as he tried to get up, his hand slipped, and the cycle repeated endlessly.
“Hey wait!? Mufu!? Slippery!? Mufu!?”
“NNNNo, Maa-kun! Mom and Maa-kun are mother and son! No matter how much you like mom, to think that you pushed mom down, melted mom’s clothes and tried to do something! At least, at least turn off the lights!” *Shine!*
“You are the one lighting up! Rather, don’t say such weird things! It’s not the place to fool around!”
“B-But! Mom's soaked! Hey, Maa-kun! Mom got soaked! You know, soaked!”
“Calm downnnn! Don’t say anything more than thatttt!......J-Just let me hurry up and get down! You go and change your clothes! You have a change of clothes, right!?”
“Ah, that’s right! Mom brought a change of clothes! Then mom will be going for a bit!”
Mamako held the skirt part of her one-piece that was spared and retreated quickly.
However, seeing Mamako’s figure running towards Porta and Wise’s place to ask for her luggage, Masato suddenly had an uneasy feeling.
“......Ah, not good!? If mom goes over there!?”
Slime ── It was an existence that melted female clothes. It was something that ignored the various rights.
If Porta and Wise also got caught up in that slimy solvent, it would become a three-generation naked festival!?
And then came the huge slime’s destined pursue!
“*Goboubibabobobobobobobo!*”
The slimy fluid that was shot again swallowed those young and little girls......!
Was what it pretended to do, the fluid sharply changed direction and limited its attack to Mamako! “Why!?” It was seriously targeting Mamako alone.
Even though Porta and Wise were just next to her, the fluid seemed to have its own will and stuck just to Mamako’s body......
“Iyan! Please forgive me! No more!”
Mamako was toppled down and on her fours......her barely remaining skirt part melted, her butt that was now exposed was facing him while shining......she really wore a T-back. And it was a new pair.
Though it was a new pair, it still melted.
“Maa-kun! What should mom do!? Mom’s underwear also melted! Mom will become completely naked! Hey Maa-kun!”
“Stop calling me! I don’t want to see it because I’m in a difficult position of being your biological son!......Kuh! That fellow, why only mom......”
It could be a collective unconscious behavior. The true form of those lights that it absorbed might’ve been someone’s will.
Amongst females, the number of cases of moms’ clothes being melted is very small. If stripping moms could only happen here right now......Mom would be its top priority......
Oh well, such thoughts did not matter.
“I need to do something fast! But how......its movement speed is too fast......if it could be slowed somehow......!”
At that time.
“Supra・La・Magia・Peru・Mirare......Slow(Rent)!”
“Gobo!?”
“Furthermore! Slow(Rent)!”
“Gobeboba!?”
A Chainspell was cast against the huge slime. After the movement slowing magic was used twice, its speed went down in all at once. That high speed slime had become slow and fell down, and was sliding on the ground.
Who was the one that used magic? That’s would be none other than her. Wise was gloriously standing when she should be dejectedly lying down at the side.
“You......how did magic......?”
“Fufun. A high level Sage like me can surpass the magic sealing effect with the overflowing magic from my body......”
“I have passed her a magic seal release item! I’m sorry for being late!”
“I see! Good job Porta! You are really a good girl!”
“Hey! Instead of Porta, you should praise me! I contributed just now! You should have something to say to me, right!?”
“I’m also really grateful to you......if you could use magic, you could have quickly defeated it, thank you for giving me the chance to finish it off!”
“Ah, damn......!?”
Masato dashed out. He closed in on the slow moving huge slime that was trying to escape into the depth of the cave immediately, and defeated a large type boss monster like a hero......
“Stripping a mother in front of her son out of all the people! You need to be punished! Eii!”
However, Mamako swung her Terra di Madre before him, causing countless stone blades to pierce the huge slime. All had hit the target. Overkill.
The absurdly huge slime was defeated!
Mamako who delivered the finishing blow was......still naked over there, feeling happy while her big and soft hills shook up and down.
“Look look, Maa-kun! Mom did it!”
“I’m not going to look! If you have the leisure to be happy, hurry up and wear some clothes! Notice your son’s hardships!......Kuh, Even so......mom still got the good part huh......DAMN! DAMN IT!”
“Pupu! Serves you right. You and I are fated to have the same outcome......Oh?......Hey, hey Masato......look at that......”
“What is it? That’s......ah......”
In front of where Wise’s finger pointed, the huge slime with its whole body penetrated by rocks was disappearing. Its huge body turned into black dust, large amount of gems dropped on the spot as it scattered......
After its outline disappeared, at that spot, a coffin that was skewered by stone blades appeared.
Then the cover of that coffin fell off. Inside it was......
“......Eh......Shirase-san......?”
There was no response. It seemed to be just a corpse.
“C-C-C-Could it be, m-m-m-m-om, s-s-s-serious matter!?” *Panic!*
“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry. PK penalty did not trigger, I think she was probably dead before mom’s attack.”
“If it’s just to the extent of [Kicking the corpse], isn’t it fine? It’s her anyway......More like, you see, my magic can resurrect her immediately.”
“Thanks. I hereby inform you that I have come back to life without any problem.”
They somehow crawled their way out to the surface.
Masato faced her as if making a reply. The other party was a young woman. She appeared to be a nun, but her expression was always so calm and cool that he could not feel much warmth from it.
However, since he knew that she was such a kind of person, he was pretty comfortable facing her. Because she was just that kind of person.
“Erm. Sure, it’s been since yesterday. What’s your profession and name this time?”
“I am Shirase. I inform you that I am the Mysterious Nun Shirase.”
“Got it. That’s how it feels this time.”
She was Shirase. A Mysterious Nun.
“Let me greet everyone first. Thank you very much for helping me this time.”
“No, rather than saying we helped, it seems like you were already dead though.”
“For me, resurrecting = saving, you can think of it like that......Now then, as for my gratitude, please accept this.”
Shirase took out a bracelet from her clothes. It didn’t seem like a high quality one, it was a pretty weathered antique bracelet......
“What’s this......Porta, can you do an appraisal?”
“Yes! Leave it to me!......Mumumu, this is......[Agility II Bracelet]!”
“Hohou, Agility II Bracelet huh......Based on how I can’t honestly say that it’s a bracelet, it seems to be a trivial accessory.”
“That’s not true at all! This is clearly a magical item! It’s an incredible accessory that will increase your agility by two grades if you equip it!”
“What!? Is that true!?”
Increase in agility......in other words, movement speed during battle would increase.
If he could attack earlier than Mamako, his chance of succeeding would increase.
“Alright, I understand, I will......!”
“It’s just perfect for me!”
And the bracelet in Masato’s hand was snatched away by Wise.
“I will receive this! It’s absolutely mine! Okay, it’s decided! I am the fastest!”
“Oi wait a minute! There’s no point for you to increase your agility! You will still end up being late because of your chanting time! This is for me, the hero, to equip!”
“Hmm, mom thinks that it’s fine for Wise-chan to receive it. Since it’s thanks to Wise-chan that the monster was defeated. Mom approves.”
“No! What’s mom saying, I should be......!”
“I think that if Mama-san decided it, it should be fine!”
“I agree with Mamako-san, of course.”
Three against one, this proposal was approved.
“Kuh......I resent mom’s influence......”
“Nfufu~ Without further ado, let me equip it~ There.”
Wise tried to put on the Agility II Bracelet.
However, the plump flesh on her upper arm resisted, she could not properly wear it.
“O-Oh?......W-What’s this about?......No way......it can’t be......”
“Pu! You just had to be fleshy at that place!......However, if that’s how it is for you, then in my case, it probably wouldn’t even pass my lower arm.” *Depressed.* (TL note: (´・ω・`) face)
“Based on my visual estimation, I believe that Mama-san’s arm is a perfect fit!”
“Oh, is that so? Then I suppose I will try it on.”
Mamako took the bracelet from Wise who lost herself in astonishment, and put it onto her upper arm.
What a perfect fit. The bracelet was hooked onto Mamako’s upper arm as if sucking onto it.
Mamako’s agility increased by two grades! She became a mother that could sweep up the enemies with her attacks faster than anyone amongst the companions!......On a side note, the other companions’ chance to show off were further reduced.
“Oh well! What should mom do!? Mom seems to have become even more active!”
“I will be troubled if you weren’t......Fuu......it was worth adjusting its size for only Mamako-san to be able to equip it......ahem ahem......I shall stop informing unnecessary things. That’s who Shirase is.”
“I knew that this would be the case......SO annoying......”
“Mothers get too many modifications......there’s something wrong with your head......”
“The child will respect a capable parent, thus deepening their bonds. What a beautiful parent-child relationship......Though, that being said, just giving parents advantage is......”
““Ah geez, somehow, I have lost my motivation.””
“Children will complain as such, so for the two of you, allow me to present to you these wonderful items that will let you discover the power of strong bonds.”
While saying so, what Shirase took out were a simple pair of rings without much decorations that would attract people’s sight.
“Porta. Appraise these first.”
“Yes!......Mumumu, this is......[Aderire rings]!”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a combo-use accessory! When two people equip this, after one person attacks, the other one will be able to follow up the attack immediately!”
“Which means it’s Cast Cancel!? Isn’t that the best!? It’s perfect for me!”
“Fufufu. It’s great that you are happy......Fuu, with this, the containment of dissatisfaction from the child’s side has been completed. Piece of cake.”
““It would have been great if you hadn’t said those words, why did you have to say them?””
“I inform you of things that should not be informed. That’s the Shirase quality......So then, I shall take my leave here.”
Shirase bid her farewell and was just about to leave, “Aah, that’s right.” She suddenly stopped, faced Masato’s party, and solemnly spoke.
“Sorry about this urgent matter, but after witnessing everyone’s strength, I have a quest that I wish to give you all.”
“Quest?......That’s quite sudden......”
“Yes. An emergency quest, or a special quest, you may think of it as one of those types. I have prepared the reward for that part as well, so please.”
“Well! I’m looking forward to the reward!”
“What kind of thing will we get!? I’m also looking forward to it!”
“It’s just going to be for Mamako-san use only, right? You can’t fool me.”
“No no, that reward is something that everyone can use, so be assured......If you are interested, please come to a small village called Maman Village west of Kassan Town. I will talk about the details there.”
“......Is what you say, but?”
“Something you can only tell us after going to the actual place, that’s suspicious. Aren’t you trying to involve us regardless?......Personally, I have a bad feeling about it......”
Wise muttered as such, while Shirase seemed to show her a rare smile.
“If you are going to accept it, you should first prepare your equipment in Kassan Town, and then attempt to challenge it. I recommend you to come fully prepared. Now then.”
Shirase showed a slight smile and walked away like that.
“A quest from that Shirase-san huh......I feel that it won’t be easy though.”
“I also agree. But it’s vexing that I’m curious about the reward. Really curious.”
“I’m also curious! I wonder if we will receive some incredible item!”
“True......It’s certain that I’m curious in various ways......”
Mamako clasped Porta’s hand, gathering all their attention, and announced with a smiling face overflowing with joy, amusement and youthfulness.
“First is shopping! Let’s go! Ou!”
Regardless of what’s ahead, first would be shopping.
They returned to Kassan Town again. Bringing a large amount of gems obtained from the battles to the exchange center, they traded those for a heavy bag of gold coins. Funds became abundant. Then, it would the matter of what should they buy with that.
“Travelling merchant’s basic skill will give a 10% discount! Also, I have the appraisal skill, so please leave choosing the goods to me! I will not waste a single Mamu!”
“Mamu? What’s that?”
“It’s the unit of money!”
“Is that so......based on the various goods I have seen, 1 Mamu seems to be about 1 Yen......”
As they were talking about such things, Mamako led them to the open-air market while looking around.
What made the leading Mamako stop was......
“Look look, Maa-kun! These eggs are cheap! One cargo of twelve only costs 100 Mamu!”
“Oi mother. Looking for our everyday food is......”
“Hey that young lady over there! Please try some of this! Diced Minotaur steak, it’s delicious!”
“Oh my, it’s really delicious! Let’s get one pack!”
“No, you see? Buying food is......”
“Ah, the beautiful big sister over there! How about this wonderful Serum that can make your skin shine brighter!? Now you can get a special three-tube set for just 3000 Mamu!”
“Well! It may just be suitable for my skin! I suppose I’ll take it!”
“Look closer at the price! One tube also costs 1000 Mamu, so it’s not cheaper at all!......More importantly, calm down a little! Mom, pay attention to me!”
“Y-Yes?”
He caught Mamako’s face and looked straight at her. An important education.
“You see, mom......we are currently in a game and preparing for our adventure.”
“T-That’s right. Mom also properly understands that.”
“No you don’t! Mom doesn’t understand one bit!......Shopping in RPG means weapons, protective gears, and items, these three basics! There is no need to buy other things!”
“H-How can that be......then, then......”
“Nn? What is it?”
“Mom can’t buy Maa-kun’s socks and briefs!? Maa-kun is still wearing socks and briefs from yesterday, does that mean mom can’t wash them and have to let you continue wearing them for today, tomorrow and so on!?”
Mamako’s shocked voice echoed loudly. It even reached those small alleys in the open-air market.
Masato......who was showered with surrounding glances that knew he was the youth who wore the same set of socks and briefs since yesterday was......
“......Daily necessities are allowed.”
He had no choice, but to say that in tears.
With that said, they arrived at the area where the daily necessity corner and the clothes shops were lined up in a row. There were shops that displayed gorgeous clothes on their hangers and shops that used wagon sale method of piling up cheap underwear onto cargoes, so no matter where they looked, they could only see clothes.
“Sorry. Mom should be buying Maa-kun’s underwear first. Briefs, socks, shirts. Also, some handkerchiefs and towels. Do we need to buy pajamas?”
“......Just choose whatever on your own......”
“That won’t do. Maa-kun has to pick. Because when the last time mom bought briefs for Maa-kun on her own, you were very angry, shouting, ‘I can’t wear these!’.”
“That’s due to mom’s poor choice......Something like me wearing a bear-print brief, that’s impossible......”
“Umm, Masato-san!”
“Hmm? What is it Porta?”
“I think that bear-print underwear is cute! I’m wearing one right now!”
“Porta......”
Masato squatted down in front of Porta, looked at her gently and rebuked her “You can’t say that kind of thing directly in front of guys other than me, got it?” “Yes! I understand!” Saying it in front of Masato was safe. Because he’s a gentleman.
“Umm, I want to say one more thing!”
“What is it Porta? What kind of wonderful things will I hear this time?”
“I have learned some Item Creation skills! If I have the cloth materials, I can make Masato-san’s socks and briefs! That’s why!”
“Alright I understand! I will wear your panties!”
“Policeman, it’s this person.”
“Correction! I will wear the briefs you make!”
Fuu, that was close. My life would be over from a slight slip of tongue.
And thus, everyone was chit-chatting while they looked around.
“Ah, adventurers over there! Please try out these protective gears! I have some good stuff lined up!”
The one who called out was a female shop attendant dealing in protective gears next to the clothing area.
Laid out in front of that shop were affordable leather products, metallic armors and shields that were heavy, but boasted high defensive power. There were various designs, ranging from European traditional style to individual ethnic style. They could pick whichever they liked.
“Ooh, we finally arrived at the destination! This is it! These are the things that I want to buy!”
“That’s right, that’s right! This shop has products that dear customers are looking for! For instance, how about this!?”
The shop attendant showed them was......the classic ‘that’.
It more or less belonged to armor category, but the area of protection on the body was extremely small. Just hiding from the chest to abdomen, and attaching shoulder armor as extra, ‘that’ was for female use.
“Hohou. This is what you call, a Bikini Armor.”
“It’s an armor that pursues mobility, doesn’t it feel nice?......Come, dear customer. Please recommend this to your companions. It’s a proper protective gear, so there is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“D-Don’t say such stupid things! This kind of thing cannot be recommended by a guy! Not to mention, my party has someone who will absolutely never wear......!”
“Oh, how wonderful. This is the first time mom has seen something like this.”
“The least befitting person to wear it took the baittttt!?”
Mamako took the Bikini Armor from the shop attendant and looked at it with deep interest.
“Is it alright to try this on?”
“Of course! The changing room is over there, so please try it to your heart’s content! There are various other types in stock available, so please pick one that you like!”
“Ah, is that so? Then......I think I will try out this, and this.”
“Since Mamako-san is trying them on, I will also try something on.”
“Then, then maybe I will also try something on!”
“Of course! Three dear female customers, this way plea~se!”
In the meantime, the female group picked out the equipment they wanted to try, and went to the simple changing rooms the shop had prepared.
Masato alone was left behind.
“So, I can only wait now, huh.”
“Males have to go through this at such a time. Resign yourself.”
Masato was tapped on his shoulder by the shop attendant and sighed unconsciously.
With that, the curtains were grandly drawn. Mamako, Wise, Porta, with the females of three generations, the RPG Fashion Show began.
“Let me remind you just in case, if a nosebleed or any other fluid spewed out by our dear customer dirties any of the equipment, you are obliged to buy them, please be careful.”
“I won’t get a nosebleed......Or rather, what do you mean by other fluid......”
“Is it fine to say it bluntly?”
“......No, please stop that.”
“I know right. Then without further ado, let’s welcome them. Please!”
The curtains of those changing rooms that the shop had prepared were raised, appearing behind were......
“Maa-kun! How do you think about mom in this!?”
Mamako equipped with Bikini Armor!
What defined a protective gear......that Bikini Armor forced such a philosophical thinking, but Mamako wearing it was a serious issue.
Its breast armor did not cover even one fifth of her splendid breasts. They looked like they were about to spill out every time they shook. A slender waist, flat stomach, and a bare minimum inverse triangle under it. It’s already at a point where he could see her skin everywhere.
And Masato hugged his head. His grip strength was nearly enough to shatter his skull.
“......Nobody knows......the heart of a son who saw his mother wearing Bikini Armor, nobody understands it except me......”
“O-Oh? Mom thought that Maa-kun would be happy though......perhaps it doesn’t suit mom.”
“If talking about suitable or not, I would say it’s not bad at all! But there is a more fundamental problem! Just change out of it already!”
“A-Alright, got it. Then mom will change to the next one.”
“I mean, change back to your original clothes!?”
Mamako went back into the changing room. He wondered what kind of dangerous thing would be next.
However, before that.
“Next will be the two young girls!”
“Ooh! That’s right, we still have these two around! Eye feast, come on! Please heal my heart!”
The next to show up were Wise and Porta.
“Fufu! My chain white magic will heal both your body and heart!......Just kidding.”
“I will make items! Make many of them!” (TL note: Have made over a thousand items, yet those hands will never hold anything.)
Wise appeared in equipments for white magician. Wearing a pure white robe with spell formation pattern drawn on it, she appeared with a gentle smile. She was just like an angel......that might be a little too much.
Porta was in Item Meister style. Her clothes looked like a scholar’s, with a scholar hat on top of her head, and a pair of small spectacles on her nose. A cute scholar.
Looking alternatively at those two, Masato sighed in relief.
“Umu. I’ve been expecting this kind of thing. I believe that this is more or less the correct way.”
“Fufun, I know right? Acting like this isn’t bad once in awhile. Rather, my pure side will stand out. It may even increase the number of my believers. Ehee.”
“What a schemer.”, he said decisively.
“Don’t say that with such a serious face!? I’m just joking!”
“Porta is a perfect cute girl~ Let me give you a pat~ Uhehe~”
“I-It’s ticklish!”
“Dear customer, you will have to buy the equipment if you dirty it with your drool.”
Oh that was close. He sucked back that other fluid.
“Alright, that’s all. Then everyone change back to your original equipments and let’s retreat from here......”
“Wait Maa-kun! What do you think about mom in this!?”
“By all means, please do not come out!?”
Mamako’s appearance round two. Changing room’s curtains were energetically raised, what appeared behind was......
“Oosuki Mamako, fifteen. Ehe☆ Just kidding.”
It was Mamako in JK style. On top was a blazer uniform. Below was a super short skirt. Her way-too-splendid breasts made her blouse buttons seem like they might pop out at any second! He could also catch a glimpse of her panties!
And Masato hugged his head, wanting throw it away.
“My mother is doing JK cosplay......but her face and body are all so youthful that there are no compatibility issues......how should I put this confusing feeling in words......m importantly, why a JK uniform......”
“Aah! I’m sorry for the inconvenience, dear customer! That’s for event use only, so it’s not for sale, please forgive me!”
“Ah, is that so? Sorry. Mamako’s really careless. Kyaha☆”
“Stop that alreadyyyyy! I am begging you, please change backkkkkkk!”
“OK. Then next.”
“Not thatttt!”
Masato’s appeal was in vain, Mamako returned to the changing room......she quickly changed and showed up again.
That figure was.
“Mom has decided......with this power of darkness, mom will exterminate everything.”
Demon God, no, she should be called Demon Goddess. Wearing a jet black armor burning with dark hellfire, looking ahead with pupils devoid of light, Mamako who became an incarnation of negative power stepped forward.
A mother corrupted by darkness.
Masato was speechless, he could only stare at her figure blankly.
“O-Oh? Maa-kun, what happened? Does mom look strange somewhere?”
“Eh? Ah, no......”
It might be unexpectedly good, that kind of thoughts was a secret.
“E-Err look! That’s not really bad! Un, not bad! There is less skin exposed, so your son can look directly without worry! It’s super scary though!”
“Oh, is that so? It’s great that Maa-kun likes it. Then next is......”
“No, it’s fine! Enough already!”
“Don’t say that, just one more......Seeing Wise-chan wearing it, mom also thought of wanting to try it out a little. See, it’s this.”
As she said so, Mamako showed that white robe she was going to wear next, but......wait a moment.
“The same one as Wise huh? But that means......how about it Porta?”
“Yes! This product is a robe of healing, an equipment mainly for healers or Magic Professions!”
“My Sage is a Magic Profession so it’s OK, but Mamako-san is impossible.”
“Yes! Mama-san’s profession is Hero’s Mother, so the possible equipments are Warrior Profession’s protective gear just like the hero, therefore,unfortunately, that’s not equipable.”
That’s how it was, but.
Mamako could not comprehend that, so she was holding the robe in her hands as close to her as possible to check it out.
“But see? There, the shoulder width is just right. Size should be fine, right?”
“No, you see? It’s not about the size, your profession does not allow you to wear it......”
“Profession isn’t really a problem. Since this is clothings. Size determines whether you can wear it or not.”
“No, uh mom? Normally speaking that’s the case, but in a game......”
“It’s alright. Mom will try it on for a bit.”
However, she did not understand even a fragment of what was alright. Mamako quickly entered the changing room. Then, ruffling sound of changing could be heard.
“Erm......if you forcefully wear an equipment while ignoring its restriction, what will happen?”
“T-That’s......I also don’t know.”
“Hey shop attendant. What’s going to happen?”
“What will happen hmm......that kind of unreasonable behavior is a first, so anything may......”
What exactly will happen? Masato’s party watched with worry.
A sudden clamorous scream.
“M-Maa-kun! Big trouble! Help mom!”
“Hah!? Wait, oi!? What happened!?’
It seemed to be something bad. Masato anxiously ran to the changing room, lifted the curtain, and in there was!
“Yahn! What’s going on with this!?”
While she was trying to put the robe on through her head, her hands also ended up coming out with her head, and Mamako was struggling to twist her body.
With her hands and face bound by the robe, she was in a restrained condition.
And as she was trying to put on the clothes, she was obviously only in her underwear.
Mamako, who looked like she was doing some kind of a weird play, was struggling around. Her splendid breasts were shaking in all directions, her slim waist twisting and wriggling. What’s with that scene! Forbidden half-naked dance! Erotic!
However, it’s his mother.
“Kuh......if only this was not mom......at least if it was someone else’s......even though I’m supposed to experience a heart-throbbing situation like a young man......DAMN IT......”
“Hey Maa-kun! Take it off for mom! Mom wants Maa-kun to take it off!”
“Eei shut up! I’m going to take it off, so stay still!”
There was no weird meaning behind it, no weird meaning, just a son stripping his mother.
The good boys and girls out there, please only equip what you can equip.
“Haa......things become too troublesome with mom around......”
“That’s true. When the other party is your mother, it gets a bit difficult to act at times.”
“Eh? Wise, you think so as well?”
“That’s for sure. If you had done that to an ordinary girl, with a ‘What the heck are you doing!?’, I would have blown you away already.”
“I don’t remember asking you to take on the punishing role.”
“But if the other party is your mother, I think that I should leave you alone. It’s hard for you to lay your hands on her......Aah, I lost the chance to blow you away. Even though you should be flying off with a bang at such a time.”
“Thank you very much for not blowing me away.”
Leaving the shop where they tried out the recommendations, they went to the next one with protective gear.
This shop also had a large quantity of products, not losing to the previous one at all. It had an assortment that wouldn’t bore anyone who likes protective gear even after an entire day of browsing. The unfriendly clerk gave a [Look around by yourselves] glance. Then they would do just that.
“Porta-chan can tell us only about the high quality products, then we can choose what we like and suits us from those......having this many types would make anyone unsure of what to get......”
“That’s true......be it mainstream or going for originality......my senses are being tested......”
“Ah. Wouldn’t this look good on Masato?”
Wise picked out a black leather long jacket. It was a piece with geometry symbols that reminded one of magic decorated throughout the body, and a shield motif tattoo embroidered on its left armguard.
“It came to me at a glance. Just as I thought. This is from [Ōe & Banale] brand, it’s pretty strong against fire or frost breath attacks. On top of that, this type can open up a defensive barrier when you thrust out your left arm. It’s pretty convenient.”
“Heh. That’s pretty impressive......You are unexpectedly detailed.”
“Of course. Since I am wearing the same brand right now. Don’t they have the same logo on the collar?......See.”
Wise stretched her own collar to show him, so he took a look......un, something seems to smell nice......not that.
“Hey Porta, take a look. Isn’t this good?”
“I will appraise it!......Mumumu, this is......Warrior Profession light equipment......Masato-san can equip it......no fraud in its defense performance......its value of 30,000 Mamu is adequate......yes! I also recommend this!”
“Porta’s seal of approval huh. Then I will......”
Was what he thought but, just a moment.
“Listen, I just thought of something. If I wear this......it means......I will be wearing a matching brand with Wise, right?”
“......Ha!? T-That’s!?”
The black leather long jacket and the sorcerer jacket that Wise was wearing were products made from the same brand with similar designs.
At a glance, two people wearing matching clothes would be......meaning that they would look like a couple......
Meanwhile.
“Hey Maa-kun! Take a look at this! How does this look!?”
“O-Ou......?”
Mamako pulled Masato’s arm all of a sudden. He walked there while being pulled.
For female and male, two sets of armors with completely same designs were displayed. They were made from white silver. Every place was refined diligently; on top of that they had rich colors of red, which reminded one of magma, and blue, which reminded one of deep sea. Great powers that built the world could be felt pulsing from those first-rate products.
“These look like the armors for a hero son and mother to use......I can’t help but think that it’s saying ‘Equip me’ ......”
“Mom also thinks so. Aren’t they the same color as Maa-kun’s sword and mom’s swords, the three legendary swords? It’s a perfect coordination. And also, erm......what is it......this is somehow amazing. Hey, Porta-chan?”
“Yes! This armor has complete immunity to abnormal statuses such as poison or confusion!”
“Ooh, immunity against abnormal statuses!”
“On top of that, it has been imbued with recovery magic for wounds, it will activate at a set interval!”
“Auto-recovery ability included!......Oi oi, just how high this performance can be. I definitely want this......However, it doesn’t seem to be so easily obtainable.”
The displayed price for the set was 29,800,000,000,000,000,000 Mamu.
2,980 kei Mamu.[7] One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, billion, trillion, kei’s, it was in kei.
“This will definitely not be sold.”
“That’s true. As expected, it’s not an affordable price. At least if it was 29,800 Mamu, then we could somehow manage it.”
“That’s a price which would probably appear on those TV shopping programs. But well, such a good deal won’t happen......”
However, at that moment, the sharp-sighted shop attendant moved. Its price changed right after hearing Mamako’s words. Large number of 0s disappeared, the price became an unbelievable 29,800 Mamu.
“What’s going on......a parent’s wish came true huh......just how much privilege do parents get in this world......”
“Maa-kun! Two for 29,800 Mamu! 298![8] It’s a bargain!”
“Well, that’s for certain. It’s impossible not to buy this......but......if we buy this, it means that I will be wearing matching armor with mom......”
“Mother and son matching is wonderful!”
“No way. It’s totally impossible......it’s impossible no matter how I look at it, but......umumu......giving up on immunity against abnormal statuses and auto-recovery is......”
The armor shone with a brilliance that was telling him There is no other armor like me! However, this would make him a pair with his mother. Masato was faced with the biggest choice in his life......
In the meantime, Wise, who was standing a bit farther, hugged the black leather long jacket and came up to them.
“Hold on! Don’t tell me that you are going to buy that instead of the protective gear chosen by me!?”
“W-Wise......”
“Think carefully! My choice is also amazing! It can mitigate enemy’s breath attacks! Furthermore, it can open up a barrier that protects against both magic and physical attacks!”
“A-Aah......of course, yours also has an astonishingly high performance. There’s no doubt that it’s a good stuff......But if I chose that, I would be a pair with you......”
“BBBBut! It’s not a complete match! Designs are mostly similar, but the colors are different!”
“Even though the colors are different, a pair is a pair. The other people will see it that way.”
And Mamako naturally cut in. At the same time, she stood in front of Masato, facing off against Wise.
“I think that if you are embarrassed about being a pair, then it’s fine if you don’t recommend that jacket. Isn’t that so, Wise-chan?”
“T-That’s true, but......ah, that’s right! I have a reason for recommending it!”
“Oh, what might that be?”
“Our party has no defender, right? Therefore, if we let Masato equip this, then he could use the shield when necessary! There’s tactical value in this!”
“I don’t understand much about defenders, but if high defensive power is better, then isn’t it more important to have a proper protective gear after all? I believe that the armor I chose is sturdier.”
“Yours is sturdier for sure, but! About that, look, I can cover that with magic! If I go full support, then it’s totally fine!”
As such, they were making a commotion.
“C-Calm down you two! There’s no need to fight over a matter of this degree, right?”
“Matter of this degree......?” *Snap.*
“I do believe that there is such a need though!?” *Snappy snap.*
Picking out equipment ── That was a woman’s battle. A death match that tested their own senses. Talking about it nonchalantly meant death! He was going to die!
But if this went on, something would really explode.
“F-For the time being, you two need to pipe down!......Ah, that’s it......i-it’s about my protective gear! This should be something for me to decide! OK!?”
Masato obviously had the decision right since he was the wearer. Hence, he was going to choose.
Having resistance against breath and shield function, matching with Wise, the black leather long jacket.
Having immunity against abnormal statuses and auto-recovery function, matching with his mother, the legendary armor.
Which one should he choose......Masato already had an answer.
It was a simple issue.
“Since we have sufficient funds, we can just buy both. I can adjust to whichever fits the TPO[9] or something like that.”
Adjusting equipments to match against the attack pattern of the enemy that appeared was common sense in RPG. Masato’s judgement was not wrong at all.
That being said.
“Tch. You escaped. You got no backbone.”
“Mom doesn’t remember teaching you to be such an indecisive child......”
Wise and Mamako looked at Masato with disappointed eyes. Disgusting......By the way, Porta had a vague smile. She’s a good girl that knew how to handle such situation.
Like that, one issue about protective gears was somehow settled......or so it seemed.
Next morning.
“......Mom. Please explain this.”
“I-It’s not what you think! Mom didn’t have any bad intentions! Mom just thought that Maa-kun would be happy about this!”
“With that thought, you washed it during the night and dried it, then gave it to me like this now......this ridiculous object.”
Masato passed his arm through the jacket’s sleeve. However, his arm could not come out from the sleeve. Its hem, which was supposed to be knee-long, had extended to the point of dragging on the floor.
Masato, who was wearing a sloppy long jacket, looked at Mamako with sorrowful eyes.
“Mom......you can’t use softeners on a leather jacket......”
“Mom thought that it would make this more comfortable! Mom thought that it would give it a nice fragrance! When mom thought that way, the cloth just expanded and stretched! Mom’s really sorry!”
Mamako was desperately bowing and apologizing. Like what she said herself, she probably didn’t mean anything bad......Masato was slightly irritated.
“Ah, not good......I somehow got a disgusted feeling......”
What he felt disgusted at was himself. He felt disgusted for trying to go towards the direction he did not want to.
He knew that, but he couldn’t stop it. Unable to stop.
He was irritated, without thinking, words came out on their own.
“Look here......mom, haven’t you become a bit too excited after coming here?”
“Eh?......T-That’s true......mom’s really happy to be able to go on an adventure together with Maa-kun......”
“Not about that. You were acting crazy, or rather, couldn’t calm down at all......just like this, doing things on your own, pushing me around, how often has that happened?”
“Mom never intended......”
“Even if you had no such intention, the reality turned out that way. Even though I also wanted to fight a vigorous battle, you finished it first because you were stronger. You’re always the party’s leader. I don’t have any position at all. I’m more or less supposed to be the hero. I’m saying that I hope you could consider such things a bit......”
“Hold on, Masato.”
Wise suddenly interrupted from the side.
“Leave it at that. You’ve said too much. More importantly, you’re getting off the point.”
“Ah, well, that’s true......rather, this should be the part where Wise complains to mom. The jacket you chose was ruined.”
“Of course I’m irritated, I wanted to make a complaint, but......I don’t want to do something that you are doing now. I would feel bad about this.”
“Feeling bad......I’m......”
“It feels bad, right? Hey, Porta?”
Wise called out to Porta and pushed her in front of Masato. “U-Umm......” Porta’s pupils showed slight anxiety as she looked at him.
She became timid as she thought about Masato and Mamako having a quarrel......no, that’s not it......seeing that Masato was one-sidedly accusing Mamako, while she had no such intentions, Porta looked at Masato as if condemning him.
“Oi hold on. Am I really that bad......”
He felt like retaliating back in anger. His stomach was already at a boiling point.
However, he realized at the last moment that it would get worse if he did that. He wanted to be a cool older brother before his cute little sister. Thanks to such feelings, he managed to recover himself. He recollected himself and put on a good appearance.
Masato extinguished his anger along with a sigh, walked straight towards Mamako, then lowered his head.
“......Sorry. I’ve said too much.”
“Eh? A-Aah, it’s fine. Mom is the one who’s at fault. Mom should be the one saying sorry. Mom’s really sorry for bringing you all sorts of troubles.”
“Aah, yeah......”
With both sides apologizing to each other, this was resolved without any issues. Everything returned to normal......or so it should have.
It didn’t seem to have worked well. The awkward atmosphere remained as it was, sticking to Masato’s body to the point of him feeling disgusted from it.
1 Japanese week - The seven days of a week in Japan are named after the five elements + moon and sun, each represented in a different color. http://www.punipunijapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/meanings.png
2 Itadakimasu - Thanks for the meal. Japanese polite speech that is said before a meal to thank the chef, while Gochisōsama is said after the meal which also means thanks for the meal.
3 Tsukudani - A type of side dish served. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukudani
4 Tama kake gohan - Literally egg over rice. A Japanese rice dish that puts a raw egg over rice and mix it with the rice before eating. http://www.seriouseats.com/images/2016/04/20140416-tamago-kake-gohan-recipe-16.jpg
5 Seiza - A formal way of sitting in Japan. Usually seen in tea ceremony, traditional formal meeting, and modernly used as a form of punishment.
6 Agura - A way of sitting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agura
7 Kei - 京. A measurement unit used in Japan. It refers to 1x10^16, or 10 quadrillion or 10,000 trillion.
8 298 - Japan’s bargain shop which sells things at 2980 yen. It’s like those one-dollar shops.
9 TPO - Time, Place, Occasion.