I'm a Goddess to Be Devoured by the Protagonist - Chapter 51
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 51
The Count had repeatedly urged Sirius to accept money instead of a position, and at first, Sirius had refused.
But it seemed Sirius had come to realize that accepting the Count’s money was the only way this situation would end.
In the end, he accepted the money politely.
We already have plenty of money, you see. Though I did give most of it to Vega.
What we wanted wasn’t money, but requests from other noble families. When Sirius explained this, the Count nodded to himself, muttering softly.
—Well then, I suppose you should go to that Count’s house.
He said only that much, but having read the original work, I knew exactly where he was sending Sirius.
—I’ll have you pose as a knight of the Ranunculus Family. We’ll keep the fact that you’re a temporary knight hidden.
So Sirius had wanted it that way.
Sirius had to move about wearing a uniform embroidered with the Ranunculus Family crest.
* * *
—The Young Master is such a coward that he can’t accomplish anything properly, and the Patriarch has grown furious. He’s declared that if the Dungeon isn’t conquered within a week, he’ll cast the boy out of the house.
For reference, I’d timed my arrival well—the Young Master hadn’t actually been cast out yet. The original work had recorded the Patriarch saying this at least ten more times.
—Is there any chance that you could encourage the Young Master’s courage?
—No problem.
—Truly?
The Butler asked in astonishment. Sirius nodded in response instead of speaking.
—First, I’d like to see the Young Master.
—Very well.
Sirius was shown to the Young Master’s chamber. A boy who appeared to be about fifteen years old stood inside.
Once the Butler had left the two of them alone, Sirius placed his sword into the boy’s hands.
—Draw the sword.
—Y-yes?
—Draw the sword.
—Y-yes.
Sirius repeated the exact same words without the slightest deviation. The boy was confused, but he did as instructed.
—And then, swing it.
—Y-yes.
—One hundred times in repetition.
—A h-hundred……?
—You appear to have talent with the blade. However.
—However……?
—You must overcome your fear of the sword.
At those inspiring words, the boy gazed up at Sirius with eyes full of admiration.
—So you must become accustomed to it. One hundred swings. We begin now.
—Ahhhhh.
And so the boy performed one hundred sword swings in perfect form.
—Huff…… huff…… Now, we’re done, yes?
—Again. One hundred times.
—What?
—We begin.
—Why, why on earth?
—You still have strength remaining, do you not.
—Ahhhhhhh.
The scene was too brutal, so I switched off the broadcast for a moment.
I thought Sirius would make an excellent personal trainer if he’d been born in the modern era.
* * *
After Sirius finished his duties for the day, he bathed and moved to the Lodging where he’d been directed.
Once he found himself alone, he looked toward empty air and asked.
—Did anything unusual happen today?
[ ( ᐛ )b ]
—Then I’m relieved.
Lately, whenever Sirius was alone, he’d spoken to me.
In the process, I learned that I had been sleeping, and he said he’d already anticipated this.
Was he lonely without Vega?
I couldn’t be sure. The Listener in me was equally confused, since neither Sirius nor I had been like this in the original work.
—The night breeze here has grown rather cold of late.
[‘The Listener Drawing a Wishful Trajectory’ is concerned for your health.]
—This degree of cold has no effect on my health.
“The Listener Who Draws Diagonal Lines” says how fortunate that is.
Right. You won’t catch a cold just from a bit of chill. That’s good.
“The Listener Who Draws Diagonal Lines” asks how today’s meal tasted.
-It was edible.
It looked appetizing enough, but it seemed Sirius found it unremarkable for his palate.
“The Listener Who Draws Diagonal Lines” asks how the bed is.
Sirius pressed down on the mattress several times before answering.
-It’s rather firm, but the quality seems good.
A firm bed is actually better for the back than a soft one. That was fortunate.
-Then I shall retire now. I hope you sleep well too.
“The Listener Who Draws Diagonal Lines” acknowledges this and tells him to dream well.
-Yes. I’ll make sure to have pleasant dreams.
* * *
-One more time, for the final round.
-Aaaaugh!
The boy endured Sirius’s training through sheer grit and stubbornness.
And so six days passed.
Just six days, yet the boy’s form had transformed entirely. Now he looked like someone who actually knew how to wield a blade.
They even fitted him with a sword suited to him, rather than Sirius’s own.
-Now we’re going into a Dungeon.
-A-already?
-Your father’s eyes are burning with anticipation.
-Yikes.
-However, we’ll look for a Dungeon that isn’t too difficult.
Sirius and the boy visited the Adventurers Guild.
-Is there something you need?
-We’re looking for a nearby Dungeon with a manageable Conquest difficulty.
-Oh, we have plenty of those!
After paying for the information, Sirius and the boy set out in the family Carriage.
-Um… are we really going into the Dungeon now?
-Yes, we are.
-Eeek. What do I do?
The boy began to fret.
-I will only provide support to keep you alive.
-Y-yes, but…? Do I… die…?
-To enter a Dungeon, you must be prepared to face death itself. Get your wits about you. Even with me here, you can still die.
-Y-yes, understood!
Shortly after, they arrived at the Dungeon entrance and stepped inside.
The interior resembled a forest, with round, chewy Slimes like Dubai cookies rolling across the grass.
-Squeee.
The Slime let out a rather adorable sound. The boy’s eyes widened in surprise.
-B-but it’s so cute… you want me to kill it?
-Don’t be fooled by appearances. That is a Monster.
Even so, the boy seemed reluctant to strike anything down.
Monsters began to gather around the boy. Though their pace was sluglike, he seemed flustered and made no move to dodge.
-Squeep!
The Monster began attacking the boy’s feet with its body. But it had little effect.
-Allow me to demonstrate.
Sirius cleanly bisected a Slime with his sword. True to its nature, there was nothing inside.
-Ohhhh no.
Yet the boy scrunched his entire face in apparent revulsion.
-Now you strike it down.
-R-right, yes!
The boy slowly bisected the Slime just as Sirius had done.
Anyone watching might’ve thought he was cutting a cake.
-Squeee……
The bisected Slime let out a sorrowful cry.
-I-I’m sorry!
Wow. First time I’ve seen someone apologize to a Monster. Probably won’t see it again.
At this rate, he’ll be thrown out of the house for sure.
Still, the boy did his best to execute the Slime Division technique.
When all the slimes had been cut down, their remains coalesced into a single form.
Squelch.
They took the shape of an enormous slime.
That must be the Boss Monster.
Now, please defeat it.
Me? You want me to?
Of course.
With that, Sirius stepped back, putting distance between them. The boy’s face fell.
Aaaaagh!
The boy clenched his eyes shut and drove his sword into the massive slime.
Squelch-squelch-squelch.
The slime melted like ice cream under the sun.
I’d never seen a Dungeon this easy before.
And yet the boy’s face blazed with such joy that it nearly split in two.
I did it. I actually did it.
Congratulations.
Heh, hehehehe.
Now I shall assist you in conquering other Dungeons as well.
What? Already? But Father only asked me to conquer one Dungeon, and I’ve already done that?!
The boy looked up in alarm. His face had turned pale.
[‘The Listener who draws the line of desire’ asks if this isn’t rather excessive.]
I sent off a quick message.
The boy was trembling at the mere sight of a small slime—I wasn’t sure if pushing him further was wise.
It will be fine. I believe he can overcome anything.
Sirius spoke softly, his hand covering his mouth as he replied.
I wasn’t convinced by the boy’s prospects, so I pressed on his profile above the screen to check his abilities.
[Courage Sword]
[Grows stronger in proportion to courage.]
It was a fine ability, but he wasn’t using it at all. No matter how I looked at it, the boy’s courage was scraping bottom.
[‘The Listener who draws the line of desire’ asks why you’re so determined to help this boy.]
The objective was to conquer one Dungeon. There was no need to help further.
In the original work, Sirius had only assisted with a single Dungeon Conquest.
It reminds me of my own past.
Sirius replied, gazing toward something distant.
I too was once afraid to wield a sword.
It was surprising to see him speak of it now, though I already knew this much from the novel.
Everyone had a beginning.
Sirius was no exception.
* * *
Back at the Lodging, Sirius began his story.
I was about fifteen when I threw myself into the world.
Sirius had left the noble household that had protected him until then.
There was someone who placed a sword in my hands, despite my ignorance of everything.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————