Atelier Tanaka Chapter 26

Chapter 26
Atelier Tanaka – Chapter 26 Part 1

 

After parting with Gonzalez, I got back in the carriage with the Dark Elf. We spent the entire day in the carriage travelling to some remote mountain village. It was a village too small to even be called a town. The entire placed consisted of just a handful of houses.

So, we entered the only inn available and were now being briefed on our mission.

By the way, if I look outside through the window, I can see the sun slowly setting beyond the horizon.

“The mission you’ve been given is to rescue a captured imperial knight that came from the capital. You’re tasked with rescuing this knight so they can honour their duties and return to fight on the front lines.”

Besides myself and the Dark Elf, there are three government officials here.

Our mission is to rescue a knight just like he said. Apparently, this knight was cut off from the rest of the army after a recent battle and is believed to have been captured by the enemy.

There were some members of his unit that managed to escape alive and are now returning to Tricklis. It seems like this village is located about half a day by foot from Tricklis. That distance really makes this village a dangerous place to live in times of war.

This village was built at the edge of a dense forest within the mountains. According to the officials, the knight was last seen to the north, in the heart of the forest.

It’s not surprising that they’ve had difficulties finding the location of this knight.

Actually, based on what they’ve been telling us, it seems like they’ve already sent out multiple search parties before, that came up with nothing. It really just seems like they’re throwing countless resources to save someone that probably doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

Will the Penny Empire really be okay?

The officials we are speaking with now are probably of a similar position to the man that originally brought us to the castle. Even though this is the case, they’re speaking in a more familiar way than he was.

“I understand. I’ll complete this mission.”

“Well then, you two better head off. I’ve already pushed back a lot of important matters in order to explain the situation to you. I need to return to Tricklis as quickly as possible.”

“…I understand.”

And this guy’s off to do more office work.

I doubt he’d survive on a battlefield anyway. Even I’m scared of the battlefield. I have recovery magic given to me by a god and I’m still scared, so I can’t even imagine how scared people that don’t have my magic must be.

Still, I’d like it if this guy and the other officials at least acted as if they cared more about the lives of the people they’re potentially sending to their deaths.

As I was thinking this the three officials left the room.

I could hear their footsteps slowly fading down the hallway. Unlike in the capital and the city of Tricklis, this inn is made entirely out of wood. So the creaking caused by their feet could be heard as they walked to the end of the hall, down the stairs, and as they exited the building.

I could even hear the neighing of a horse off in the distance before the sound of a carriage travelling down the road came in through the window. It seems that he left immediately for Tricklis. The sun had set a while ago. Is it really that dangerous of an area if he’s leaving at this time of night?

Well, whatever. I should stop this meaningless speculation and start planning out what we should do.

“…what? Do you have something to say?”

When I glanced over at the Dark Elf, she immediately snapped at me.

She looks as if she’s annoyed at my entire existence.

“N-No, nothing in particular….”

“If you have something to say, just say it already.”

“No, I really don’t have anything to say.”

“So you were just staring at me for no reason? Disgusting.”

“Sorry….”

Even if she doesn’t want me looking at her, a disgusting virgin like me can’t help but ogle such an attractive woman. Besides, we’ll be staying in this room together. My heart was beating so fast my head was starting to hurt. My pounding heart just won’t calm down. The officials instructed us to stay in this room together.

“Umm, then, I’ll go look for something to drink…”

“Don’t bother.”

“…I see.”

Thank you, God, for allowing this to happen.

Well, I’m probably the only one that’s happy about this. She seems to barely even notice I’m here. She was just sitting on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. It looks like something you’d see in a painting. The way her thick thighs are pressed together as she’s crossing her legs is irresistible. I want to lick them.

Her beautiful silver hair was shining brightly under the moonlight. It makes me feel a little dizzy looking at it. This, combined with her dark skin, gives off a sort of divine impression. Oh, I really want to lick all over her.

She’s wearing her skimpy leather armour with metal at key points covering her breasts, crotch, and arms. Her giant sword that I wasn’t sure she could actually

swing was sitting beside the bed.

I don’t think I could possibly fall asleep with her in the same room as me.

By the way, there are two beds in this room. The Dark Elf is sitting on the bed near the window and my bed is closest to the door. We were sitting at a table in the middle of the room when we were speaking with the officials, so I was able to conveniently position myself on my bed to ogle the Dark Elf while pretending to look out the window.

It’s a great position.

This angle is the best for admiring her thick thighs.

The pale light of the moon is beautifully illuminating her muscular figure.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll get some hot water ready so you can wash….”

“Don’t bother.”

“…I see.”

I don’t know what to do. I’m so nervous.

Spending the night in the same room with a member of the opposite sex. And the girl is a slave. A Dark Elf. Thick. Her best features are floating around in my mind. I need to say the right things in order to get on her good route.

I need to do this right.

This is the first time I’ve ever been in this situation.

The first time I’ve ever stayed the night in the same room as a woman.

We’re staying overnight together.

“….”

I wonder if she’s still a virgin.

Could I really be spending the night with a virgin woman in the same room?

If so, this will surely lead to a passionate night together.

However, I know that elves live long. Edita Sensei may not look it, but she’s probably hundreds of years old. If that’s the case, how old must this busty Dark Elf in front of me be? The chances of finding a Dark Elf this beautiful that’s also a virgin seems impossible.

On top of that, she’s a slave. I’m sure she’s been raped before and it’s also likely that she’s even had one or two kids. If that’s the case, I’m not even remotely interested in this girl.

I know that if I were born a noble and received a slave that someone else had already came in, I’d send it back.

“….”

I should just go to bed.

I woke up early today and we have a long day tomorrow.

The front lines were truly tiresome.

“Umm, I guess I’ll be going to bed then….”

I glanced back up at the Dark Elf.

I was hoping to hear her tell me good night.

Then, something amazing happened.

“Ha….”

“…human, it’s rude to look at someone undressing.”

A splendid pair of breasts were looking back at me.

Two of them.

A two for one.

“S-Sorry about that….”

Apparently, as I was lost in thought, the Dark Elf had begun changing her clothes before bed.

Due to my pitiful, virgin eyes, I instinctively looked away before I could truly enjoy the view.

Damn it, I missed my chance.

“You just have a very beautiful body.”

“…if you’re just trying to play around with me, you can stop wasting your time. You’d have more luck just playing with yourself.”

“I’m definitely not playing around. If it’s a crime to call a beautiful woman beautiful than arrest me now. I’m sorry if you don’t like hearing it. Now then, this criminal is going to sleep.”

I laid down on the comforter atop the bed.

Ah, it feels good.

Sleeping in a bed for the first time in a while.

I’ll end today by praying silently to meet a beautiful virgin girl tomorrow.

Good night, thick thighs.

But, the Dark Elf continued speaking to the sleeping virgin.

“Oi, human.”

“…what is it?”

I flipped over to face her.

“….”

“….”

Is this the moment where we silently stare at each other?

What should I do?

It’s incredibly embarrassing looking at a woman with her comforter pulled up to her neck.

“Umm, what is it?”

“…was that all?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if that’s all you wanted to say.”

“Even if you say that, I’m not sure what else you’re expecting from me….”

What is this Dark Elf trying to say?

I don’t understand her.

“…really?”

“Yep.”

“If so…I don’t mind hearing it.”

“I see. Then, I don’t mind saying it. Anyway, good night.”

“…yeah.”

I closed my eyes to end the day after our brief exchange.

The next day, we departed the inn in search of the lost knight.

We left together, but….

“Oi, can’t you walk a little faster?”

“S-Sorry, I don’t exercise much….”

Not too long after we had entered the forest, I was already slowing the Dark Elf down. This forest is incredibly dense and the terrain itself doesn’t make it easy to traverse the land. There are countless thickets scattered across the forest that make it near impossible for me to walk.

My level may be high due to me defeating countless strong enemies, starting with the High Orc, but my body itself isn’t much stronger than when I was first reborn in this world. If my body matched my level, I could probably climb Everest overnight.

But that’s not possible as I am now.

I have no excuse for my lack of exercise.

The trees and bushes aren’t even the worst part about this forest.

“Uwa! N-Not again!”

I’m not very good with insects.

Especially the large kind found in rainforests.

Their bright colours and creepy legs.

The second one lands on me, I can’t help but scream and jump back.

“…why are you acting like such a child?”

“S-Sorry….”

I may be a virgin, but I need to start acting like a ma….aaaahhhhh!

“Aaahhh….”

What is that!? Something

Something touched me!

My whole body stiffened.

This is serious.

There were multiple beetle-like things that were around ten centimetres long.

I immediately held out my hand in front of me and conjured several fireballs.

“Why are you panicking because of these little insects?”

While sighing, the Dark Elf slowly walked up to one of the insects while drawing her large blade.

A second later, one of the beetles was cut in two.

She helped me.

“T-Thank you for that….”

“Are you not good with insects?”

“I’m a little ashamed to say it, but….”

When I lived in Tokyo, I spent all of my time indoors away from nature. I only ever walked on roads not paved with asphalt a couple times a year. When I was a child, I could grab spiders and insects with no issue, but it’s been more than twenty years since then.

I enjoyed fighting in the area we were in before specifically because it was a large open field.

I don’t understand why insects even exist. If someone sees a spider in their room at night, they won’t be able to sleep peacefully until they know it’s dead. Even for me, no matter what my level is, bugs will always be hard to deal with.

And yet, I’m in the middle of a large forest right now.

It’s the type of forest where you’re constantly hearing the creepy sounds caused by the countless bugs surrounding you.

A creature with numerous legs, that was larger than my hand began crawling towards me. The midsection of this creature looked quite strange. It sort of reminded me of a coconut crab, but with even more legs.

I don’t need this type of fantasy creature in my life.

It’s disturbing shell strikes fear in my heart.

“And you call yourself a man….”

“I-I’m very sorry.”

Why is this Dark Elf woman not even slightly scared of bugs? This beetle-like creature that just jumped out in front of us is terrifying. The disgusting thing is causing damage to my soul that even my recovery magic can’t heal.

This creature is making me worried about what other types of bugs may exist in this world.

I hope they all go extinct.

I’m not creeped out by crabs though. After all, they’re delicious.

“S-Still, a job is a job….”

“You plan on continuing?”

“Y-Yeah, well…I’m just a little ashamed.”

I can’t afford to look bad in front of the Dark Elf.

Aah, damn it.

“You can either keep going or turn back. However, there’s only one choice a real man would make.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll try my best to keep going.”

Is the knight really around here?

If not, I might really cry.

I just want to go home and drink the hot soup that Sophichan prepared for me.

“Well, whatever.”

I turned away from the now dead insects and looked forward to where the Dark Elf was walking, with no road in sight. I’ll use the glorious image of her backside to keep me motivated.

 

Chapter 26 Part 2

 

As we continued down the road, we encountered several more bugs that the Dark Elf took care of easily.

Then, suddenly, she stopped walking.

It seems she’s found something.

“Umm, what is….”

“Be quiet.”

“…okay.”

I followed the Dark Elf’s actions and tried to stay hidden amongst the bushes. She positioned herself against a tree and appeared to be looking at something off in the distance.

Then, I could hear the sound of leaves crunching beneath something’s feet.

The moment I heard this, something leapt out towards us from the opposite side of the bushes.

“Damn! A goblin?”

Just as she said, a goblin appeared near us. The goblin must have already noticed us as it was holding a sword out and shaking it violently at us.

At the same time, the Dark Elf grabbed her sword and rushed out from behind the tree. She danced away from the goblin’s first strike before bringing her sword back in front of her to block the goblin’s follow up attack.

As the two blades met, the sharp sound of metal on metal resonated in the woods.

“Gu…that attack was quite strong for a goblin.”

When I saw her on the previous battlefield, this same Dark Elf cut her way through nearly a thousand enemy soldiers. If she’s struggling against it, that attack must have been powerful.

From what I know, based on the information I was able to gather at the Adventurer’s Guild, a goblin is a weak enough opponent that a rank F adventurer would usually be tasked with killing them.

If this is true, the goblin before us must be something else.

I thought about it for a little while, before I finally realized something.

“…ah, could you be?”

“Yoo…I know yoo….”

This guy, is he the goblin that gave me those medicinal herbs? It’s impossible for me to tell two goblins apart, but I can recognize the sword he’s holding.

And it appears that he also recognizes me.

After taking a good look around the area, I was also able to spot another smaller goblin hiding in the bushes. That must be his sister.

So she’s also safe.

Neither of them appeared to be injured. I’m happy to hear that.

WWait a minute! Stop! Elf-san, stop!”

“Hah!? Why!?”

The Dark Elf quickly took a few steps closer to the goblin and prepared to attack.

I grabbed onto her from behind and tried to stop her.

“That goblin, I know him. Don’t hurt him!”

“…what?”

She just barely stopped her attack before turning to look at

look at me clearly confused about what I just said.

“Please, just leave this to me.”

“I’ve never heard of humans and goblins knowing each other.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“…f-fine. Just get off of me, it’s disgusting!”

My sexual harassment attack seems to be surprisingly effective on the Dark Elf.

With just one attempt, I was able to completely stop her from killing the goblin. She lowered her sword and backed away. It’s also possible that because the opponent here is a goblin she may have felt that it was beneath her to fight him.

As she lowered her sword the goblin quickly followed suit.

Still, he hasn’t completely relaxed yet. Although, probably because he recognized me, he was noticeably less tense compared to before. He turned away from the Dark Elf to face me.

“Hooman…iz ben long tyme.”

“It has. It’s nice seeing you again. I think it’s only been a month since we last met, but it sure feels like a lot longer than that.”

“I did juz lik yoo said. I tuk mi sizter und ran.”

“Oh, I see.”

I guess he took my advice and left the area outside the capital.

“So this is where you’re living now.”

“It iz.”

“…I-I see.”

Then, I’ll have to be the one to break the bad news to them.

This area is near the border between the two warring nations. I don’t know where or when these two countries will do battle, but I know this area will be difficult for goblins to live in peacefully.

“This area is also a dangerous place to live.”

“…iz that zo?”

“Two of the human nations are at war and this will become their battlefield.”

“I zee…wut zhood we do?”

“I hate having to say this, especially knowing that you must have just arrived here, but it would probably be best for you and your sister if you left this place. There have already been many soldiers spotted in the surrounding woods.”

“…ef yoo ar the wun zaying et, I know I can truzd et.”

“Thank you, I’m glad to hear that.”

“mi sizter nd I wil ezcape.”

“Good. It’s nice seeing a brother and sister so close.”

“…ar hoomans zha zame wey?”

“I’d say most siblings get along well enough.”

“I zee…no matir how diffrint we ar on ouside, we ar zame on enside.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

I really feel like this goblin is just a kind older brother.

I’d also like a sister.

When I’m finally able to regain my youth I’ll start my own family and adopt a cute girl.

“…I get et…wee leave forist.”

“I’m sorry that humans are forcing you to leave your home once again.”

“Dunt worie….”

Seriously?

He’s being forced to flee from his home for the second time and he doesn’t even seem upset.

He really is a good guy.

Ah, I should really thank him for those herbs.

“We zhood git going….”

“Oh, wait a minute.”

The goblin stopped after taking a step.

The medicinal herb goblin turned back to face me.

“…wut?”

“You should take this with you.”

I took a single gold piece from my wallet and tossed it to him.

With his free hand, the goblin skillfully grabbed the coin out of the air and looked at it.

“Wut iz thiz?”

“It’s something incredibly valuable to humans. If you ever meet another human you feel you can trust, give that to them and they will surely help you.”

“Gib thiz to hooman?”

“O-Oi!? You’re giving this thing a gold coin!?”

The Dark Elf began to yell, but I just ignored her.

“Yes, give it to another human, but make sure it’s one you know you can trust. If the person you offer it to can’t be trusted they may try to take advantage of you.”

“…I onderztand.”

The goblin nodded back to me.

Are coins unknown to him? He kept glancing down at the coin in his head, flipping it over again and again.

After a few seconds, he seemed to notice something.

“I dunt hav anyzhing to giv yoo.”

“No, I’m giving it to you as thanks for the herbs you gave me before.”

“…yoo zure? Dunt yoo need et?”

“I have more elsewhere. Don’t worry about it.”

“….”

“Your sister is waiting for you. You better get going.”

“…I onderztand. I em gratefol, hooman.”

“It was nothing.”

The goblin gave me a slight bow.

His face isn’t exactly nice to look at, but he’s a little cute.

Is this what they call kimokawa? (TN: Idk if there’s a word for this in English, but it basically means something that is both cute and repulsive)

“Well then, please live a healthy and peaceful life.”

“…bai bai.”

The goblin waved a small hand to me as he walked towards his sister.

He grabbed his sister’s hand and walked through the bushes he first jumped out of.

I stood there for a while, silently watching their figures fade into the distance. Both him and his sister quickly disappeared amongst the trees. The sounds of the rustling bushes soon faded.

And it was now just the Dark Elf and I left standing in the woods.

“…have you lost your mind?”

“You really don’t hold anything back, do you?”

“I won’t deny that. What kind of person just gives out gold coins to a goblin?”

“This person.”

“…you’re insane.”

“I basically owe that goblin my life.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll tell you more about it some other time.”

“Like I want to listen to something like that! Let’s get moving; we’ve wasted enough time here already!”

“Of course.”

The Dark Elf began walking in the opposite direction the goblin left.

“….”

I’m really glad we ran into we ran into each other here. I felt like this encounter with the goblin was able to heal some of the damage to my heart caused by the last battlefield and the insects in this forest.

My mood has been improved. I quickly chased after the Dark Elf.

After saying farewell to the goblin, we had walked for several uneventful minutes through the forest. I looked up through the canopy and saw the sun was directly overhead. It’s probably okay for us to take a break soon.

The Dark Elf, who had been walking a few steps ahead of me, stopped once more.

“Stop.”

“…what’s wrong?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but there’s definitely something there.”

I stopped dead in my tracks and strained my ears, hoping to hear whatever may be out there.

Then, I could hear a faint sound.

While standing next to the Dark Elf, I could see a strange colour through the normal greenery of the forest. It was as if the light from the sun was reflecting off something.

“St-Sto…I-I don’t want….”

“Huhuhu, what’s wrong? Here? Does this spot feel good?”

“Kuu…st-stop…I don’t…ahn~”

“Did you think I’d show any mercy to an enemy soldier?”

“Ah~n….”

I can’t know exactly what’s happening, but there’s some kind of repetitive motion happening on the other side of a thicket. However, there’s only one thing that comes to mind that can cause such a sensuous voice. I can hear the sound of metal armour rattling, and the location of this event is in the woods during wartime.

Someone’s fucking. (TN: This is actually what the line translates as)

“…t-this is….”

“The emblem on that armour belongs to the empire.”

“Eh? Ah, I guess so….”

This Dark Elf’s vision is amazing.

I mean, I can barely even make out their shapes in the distance. Yet, she’s able to see the small insignia on the armour.

Even though we were hiding, she had already placed one hand on her sword and had begun edging herself closer to the two soldiers in front of us. She leapt out from underneath the shadow of the tree we were hiding behind. At the same time, this caused several leaves to shake free from the branches above me. As the leaves fell down around me, so did several bugs.

Some were able to fly. One insect that looked like a centipede landed right on my face.

“Kyaaaaaaaa!?”

I couldn’t help myself and let out a pathetic yell.

I ran out from the cover of the tree and followed after the Dark Elf. Damn her for causing me even more trauma.

I sprinted forward around ten metres, before emerging into a slight clearing. This empty space was around the size of one tatami mat and was clearly man-made.

And the source of the sound was clearly visible now.

“…ah.”

However, this isn’t quite what I was expecting.

“Wha…y-you’re….”

A knight wearing armour with the Penny Empire’s crest on it was in the middle of assaulting a girl wearing a robe. I assume she’s an enemy soldier. The armoured knight had already removed the clothing covering the robed woman’s lower body. The knight was rubbing all over the robed woman’s body with her right hand.

The robed woman appeared to be restrained with some kind of vine. She was left completely helpless. The clothes covering her lower body were completely removed, and the clothes covering her torso had been shredded with a knife. I’m really able to fully appreciate her body.

She’s pretty cute. I’d say she’s in her late teens. She has beautiful blonde hair styled in a simple bob. Her body is rather modest, but for a slender girl like her, it’s quite nice. Especially when I consider how attractive her face is. It’s something I’m really not surprised to see on a battlefield. Every man would eventually consider rape.

The surprising thing wasn’t the act itself, it was the person committing the act.

“Mercedes-san, w-what’s going on here….”

“No, th-this is…this isn’t….”

Immediately, the female knight’s eyes widened in shock.

She’s definitely wearing armour with the emblem of the Penny Empire.

The Dark Elf was left standing before this ridiculous scene, completely speechless.

I guess she wasn’t expecting to walk in on a beautiful yuri scene either.

“…human, you know this person as well?”

“Y-Yeah, well….”

The imperial knight we were sent to rescue can’t be Mercedes-chan, right?

Now that I think about it, I never even asked for the knight’s name.

No way.

But, everything seems to be pointing to that.

I haven’t seen her recently. I guess that was due to the fact that she’s been here.

“It’s not what it looks like! I-I was just interrogating an enemy I captured! Just interrogating!”

“…I see.”

“Listen up! Tell me everything you know! Where is the enemy’s main force located!”

“Ahii!”

I’m not even remotely close to believing her.

Mercedes-chan slapped the enemy soldier’s butt and she let out a sweet moan.

Sweat sprayed off into the air as her hand connected with her butt. Forest love juices.

This is the best.

I understand your desires, Mercedes-chan.

We bonded over our own perverted desires one night while drinking, so I can completely understand what she was doing in this forest.

I’ll give her the title ‘The Legendary Battlefield Desecrator.’

“I don’t care what you were doing to that woman, but this is good, right?”

“H-How so?”

“Mercedes-san, you’re the missing imperial knight, right?”

“…and?”

“Imperial Knight Mercedes-san, I’ve been commanded to return you to the frontlines.”

“….”

That girl doesn’t seem too happy to hear that.

Chapter end