63　Communication

 

　After dinner. In order to keep my promise, I went to the back door of the kitchen behind the servant’s mansion.

 

“Hey, is Sovra here?”

“Ahh?　Who the fuck asks when were so busy…… See, Se-Se-Se, Second-sama! ? “

 

　One of the cooks who noticed me shouted in surprise, he was so shocked I felt his eyes might pop out. Following that, the kitchen was in a turmoil. The guy who spoke to me then showed me a wonderful jumping dogeza. I felt bad for him so I asked him to stand up, but then he started to cry. I’m really bad at dealing with this type.

 

“Ahh, thank you. Sorry for the trouble.”

 

　A few moments later, the head chef Sovra, with his characteristic unkempt beard, came rushing out from the back.

 

“I’m sorry for coming when you’re busy. Should I come some other time? “

“No, no, no!　I’ll come, let’s go! “

 

　Sovra took out a cigarette pack from his breast pocket in a hurry while saying those words. 『Caramelia』……?　That’s a brand I’ve never heard of.

 

“To tell you the truth, it’s been a while since I last smoked.”

 

　We talked while heading towards the smoking area. I can’t just tell him “This will be the first cigarette I’ll have after coming to this world” after all.

　In Japanese society, there seemed to have been the word “Tobaccomunication” in the past, but I think that was just an excuse you could use to make it easier to talk to a person you just met. Well, to be honest, I never really went out to mingle in the society even at this age, so I’m not sure about that kind of culture.

 

“Is that so? These are really good, you know? “

 

　Listening to my words, Sovra tapped on his cigarette box as if to brag. I’m not sure what he means by really good, but that’s something I won’t say.

 

“Hee. Well, I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Hahaha, understood. That’s what I’m talking about.”

 

　That’s kind of wrong, but I couldn’t think of any other thing to say. The tobacco in Mobius was only a 「Dress-up Item」. And obviously, since it was virtual, you didn’t have to worry about the tar or the nicotine. It was literally just a fashion item for people who thought “Cigarettes are something cool”.

 

　And for me, the brand I had was 『Hatsuse』. These, I had a maid go buy from a shop in the capital a while ago. Why did I choose Hatsuse?　Well, I just went for the name since it was kind of cool. (TLN: Hatsuse was the name of a Japanese battleship)

 

“Well then.”

“Ohh, you got Hatsuse? Those are strong.”

 

　Reaching a place where an ashtray was set, I took one of the Hatsuse from my pocket and placed it in my mouth. I heard that the stronger ones are great. I answered with a smile instead of responding, then the smell of tobacco suddenly drifted in the air. Huh? Something feels odd……　Well, it doesn’t matter, let’s light it.

 

 

“――Ng-eehho!　Ng-eehho!　Ng-eehho! ? “

 

　Buhhaa!　What the heck! !

 

“Hahaha, I guess it really has been a long time, right? “

 

　Sovra said so while laughing and smoking his cigarette.

 

　……Hey, wait a moment. Is this thing a real cigarette?　I’ve never smoked a real cigarette before so I can’t say for sure, but I can certainly tell this feels completely different from the “Tobacco” from Mobius that I knew of. It hurts my throat, it’s smokey and smelly. What the heck. Ehh……Have cigarettes become real?

 

“……Ahh, somehow, I don’t think I can. Seems like the blend has changed.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

 

　After coming up with a credible excuse, I put out the Hatsuse in the ashtray. It surely has changed, this Mobius. It’s a bit sad.

 

“Huh……?　Isn’t your cigarette a bit different?　It doesn’t smell that much, right? “

“Ahh, you mean this?　It’s a new brand that has been popular in the Capital lately.”

“Caramelia? “

“Yeah, it feels really great to smoke it. The taste and flavor are quite different from normal cigarettes. It also makes me feel great and motivated.”

“Is that so? To each their own, I guess. I hope you’ll let me eat something really delicious someday.”

“That is, hahaha, more praise than I deserve.”

“I’d love to eat some delicious pork cutlet. So, can I ask you to do something simple with that in mind? However, Yukari will surely be nagging you. Then, while studying high-class cuisine, please do your best to make some great simple dishes without her noticing.”

“……I see, so in other words, you’re telling me to die, right?　Haha, then let’s die happily! “

“Hahaha, you can take it easy.”

 

　Afterward, we talked about several things for about five minutes, then the talk ended. I think he was able to speak honestly. It was clearly better than when we spoke during the day and he was visibly more nervous.

 

　Hmm. You can’t make light of Tobaccomunication.

 

——

——

 

“Uhmm, for today’s schedule, we’ll check my master’s progress in the morning. Then, go greet the second Prince in the afternoon. Okay? “

“OK.”

 

　Next morning. Before breakfast, Windfield informed me about today’s schedule.

 

　Windfield was quite happy to get the position of secretary in just one day, but Yukari, who had been my secretary up until now, just begrudgingly looked at her in silence. She looks quite scary so I’d love if she could do something about it. You’re the master, right?

 

“We’ve talked properly about it.”

 

　I wish she could stop with the esper thing since it’s bad for my heart…… And if you properly talked, why is she still like that? Just look at her. She looks like a resentful demon.

 

“……Huh?　What happened to Silvia and Eko? “

 

　I noticed that by chance. No matter how much time passed, those two haven’t shown themselves at the table.

 

“I gave those two a mission-noda.”

“Noda? ……wait, a mission? “

“I want them to get in touch with a certain organization-tekina.”

“Tekina? ……wait, what organization? “

“Hmm. Well, Second-san, you don’t really need to know. Or rather, it might be better if you don’t know.”

“What’s with that? Now I’m really curious.”

 

　An organization?　Like some guild?　Still, why?

 

 

“It has begun. The Game (War).”

 

　Windfield looked me straight in the eyes, smiling while saying so.

 

　……A game, huh? This guy, it must be exactly as she says. But for us (the pieces), the meaning is surely different.

 

“You’ll be using me. So, I won’t forgive you unless you win.”

“Obviously! “

 

　She happily nodded in response. That was the biggest smile I’ve seen from her all this time.

 

——

---

Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

---

 ToC    

If you enjoy the translations, you can support me by donations or read ahead via Patreon

---