Cheers of joy rise from all around from the defense squad of Encartone, who had a history with the magic dragon.
 
“Ouga!”
 
Karen, who has joined us, can’t hide her joy either as she comes running to embrace me.
 
“We did it! We defeated that magic dragon!”
 
“… I’m sorry, Karen. Could you stay away for a bit longer?”
 
“Huh…?”
 
“This might just be my imagination, but… I can’t believe that magic dragon would be defeated so easily.”
 
She seems convinced we’ve defeated it, but I’m still watching the magic dragon intently.… Read the rest

“And if that thing does as it pleases, Encartón will have no future either. That’s why we should join hands and protect this town.”
 
This man needs Encartón’s technology to make his prosthetic arm.
 
If the town is destroyed, it’s over at that point.
 
So he chose to take the offensive…
 
That attitude, unbefitting of a nobleman… I don’t dislike it.
 
“…What should we do?”
 
“Tell me the magic dragon’s current position. And though it may already be in motion, I’d like you to protect Yueri. She might be our trump card.”
 
“Understood. … Read the rest

[Stage 4-5] My Resolution
 

Currently, all the magical devices installed on the walls surrounding Encartón were created by Dude Luludahn.
 
Their performance has been proven by past achievements, having successfully prevented numerous attacks by external monsters.
 
In fact, there had been no damage caused by monsters in the past decade or so.
 
That’s why complacency began to set in.
 
[Monster reaction detected in the northwest direction~. Squad 10 has been dispatched]
 
“Squad 10, roger. But it’s probably just goblins unable to resist their hunger as usual.”
 
Those assigned to defense made a mistake … Read the rest

[Stage-Sub2] Prelude
 

 
A beautiful night with a full moon floating in the sky. I sat in a dark room without turning on the lights, feeling anxious about my situation.
 
Six months had passed since I made a one-year promise with my damn father to “create a magical tool surpassing him” for the sake of my goal, but I saw no progress.
 
Even when I drew blueprints, the resulting magical tools were barely different from my father’s past relics. I’d make something, be dissatisfied and reject it, make something and reject it, make something and reject it, make something and … Read the rest

“…After all that big talk, this is the result?”
 
Yueri’s shoulders jumped.
 
“Now you understand? Why we won’t hire you here.”
 
“…!”
 
“I’m lending you the forge out of pity, but only until this request is over.”
 
“…W-Why? I wanted to be like my father…!”
 
Yueri starts crying, tears falling drop by drop.
 
Her goal was to surpass Mr. Dude.
 
She must have wanted to avoid failing in front of her father.
 
She must have wanted to show how much she had grown.
 
Otherwise, she wouldn’t make such a frustrated … Read the rest

 
“From here on, absolutely do not touch anything else. That’s the only promise I need from you. If you break it, you two won’t be able to get married.”
 
“I’ll guard that promise with my life.”
 
Karen’s response was quick, having received the most effective threat possible in her current situation.
 
As we step into the workshop, we stick close behind Yueri to avoid any unnecessary suspicions.
 
The workshop is much cleaner than I imagined, and it’s easy to breathe.
 
Looking up, I see several large ventilation fans spinning.
 
As expected, a first-class workshop properly maintains its work environment.
 
“Here … Read the rest

 
Thanks to making a reservation in advance, we successfully entered our target restaurant.
 
The colorful terrine appetizer has been served, and we’re about to start eating… but.
 
“Knife on the right… fork on the left… Oh, was it the other way around?”
 
Because she’s flustered, Alice is in an amusing state.
 
Originally, she wasn’t good with these kinds of manners, but through the thorough education of Head Maid Morina, she had grown to the point of passing as my maid.
 
However, now all that knowledge seems to have flown out of her head.
 … Read the rest

 
“It’s a magical tool that can play recorded footage. It’s not yet commercialized, so you’re lucky to experience it, boy. Just watch the video that plays, okay?”
 
Yueri touched the glass plate, and an experimental video began to play.
 
The launched Dragon-Banisher Mark I cleanly split an iron plate in two.
 
What surprised me was that despite exerting such tremendous power, the Dragon-Banisher itself wasn’t scratched at all.
 
“This is what happens to an opponent when punched at the speed of a non-magic-infused strike. Satisfied, boy?”
 
“More than satisfied. I’m thrilled.”
 
“That’s great! When I’m told that money is no … Read the rest

 
“…It’s been a while since I heard that nickname with zero naming sense.”
 
“Actually, I quite like it… Is it no good?”
 
“…Would you like it if I called you ‘Ina Ina’ instead?”
 
“Yes. I’d be happy if Ouga-kun called me that.”
 
“…I appreciate you saying that, but let’s still drop the ‘Uga Uga.'”
 
It’s a nickname that wouldn’t make even the most lovey-dovey couple’s heart flutter.
 
“…How strange. According to my research, it’s normal for close couples to call each other by such nicknames.”
 
“I thought it was fine to just … Read the rest

[Stage 4-4] Accelerating Feelings
 

 
A clear blue sky stretches overhead.
 
Stepping out onto the balcony, I feel the pleasant sunlight bathe my entire body, awakening me.
 
The next four days will be a crucial turning point in my life.
 
I need to face them with determination from the morning.
 
“Mmm, what nice weather, Ouga-kun. Today’s outing is going to be so much fun!”
 
“Good morning, Mashiro. Let’s make today an enjoyable day.”
 
“Yeah! It’s a special date, after all. We have to enjoy it to the fullest!”
 
Seeing her beaming smile … Read the rest