Evil-like Duke Household

Chapter 1: The Rumour About the Ractos Duke House.

This is a world where magic and monsters exist.

One of the countries, known as the Azolias kingdom, was greatly admired due to its political and military power.

However, in that country, there was an administrator which was constantly gossiped about and was publicly thought to be dark and evil.

No, not only just the administrator, even his family was gossiped about.

-Ractos duke household-

As the administrator of the Azolias kingdom, the head of Ractos household, Grid Ractos had a broad frame for a man. However, he was quite fat and seemed very dislikeable; his eyes always appeared to be scorning you and his mouth always seemed to be provoking.

Every action and conduct, he took was oppressive; it gave the appearance of someone who stood at the top.

He had deep, blood-red hair and his eyes were darker than a shadow.

His voice was deep and heavy, almost like a devil who had come to contract your soul.

It was commonly thought that he was a corrupt administrator who controlled the dark side of the kingdom and moved behind the scenes.

His wife, Lilliana Ractos.

She was so beautiful, one would not even think she was older than 40.

Her jet black hair flowed to her waist, accentuating her sexiness, lithe body and her youthful vigour.

She always wore a jet-black dress that seemed to be connected to her hair and her eyes were a deep enchanting crimson.

She often spoke in a sweet tone, like a seductive succubus. However, off puttingly, she also had a large earth spider as her pet.

She was commonly known as the [Arachne Duchess] and it was rumoured that if you displeased her, you would end up as food for her spider.

Eldest son, Jake Ractos.

He appeared to be a young man with a tall and thin body, always looking like he was half asleep. His pale red eyes sleepily stared at you, while his mouth always appeared to be scoffing.

From his expression, you would think he was always plotting something.

It was rumoured that under the hair that covered one of his eyes, there existed an eye that resembled that of his pet snake’s.

At just twenty years old, he had already perfected his control over magic and furthermore, he was able to utilize the extremely rare [Shadow Magic], or so it was rumoured.

Materialized from his own shadow, it's look as if there's a black serpent accompanied him in his surrounding.

Because of his appearance, he was known as the [Incarnation of the Devilish Snake]

Eldest daughter, Erza Ractos.

Her blazingly red hair was curled and seemed as if it was fire. Underneath that mane of hair, a reddish black eye always appeared to glare at you. It was often compared to polished obsidian.

Elza was a fighting prodigy, having graduated at the top of her class in Knight School at the mere age of 16.

She wasn’t like other girls who were always interested in dresses or jewels, and rather disliked them. Instead, she usually wore jet-black full-plated armor with a reddish-black double-handed sword that seemed to radiate waves of heat, tied to her waist.

It was because of this that she was known as the [Black Swords(wo?)man from Hell]

She is said to be able to face down any opposition and cut them down mercilessly, along with their souls.

The bad rumours never seemed to dissipate. Yet, they were never validated either.

It was said that if there were eyewitnesses, they would be silenced.

That if there were mistakes, then they would be cleverly covered up.

It was said that the kingdom could not do anything to them because they held one of the country’s closest, darkest secrets.

The negative rumours never died out.

And so, let's peek at the daily lives of the infamous Ractos household.

Chapter 2: Grid-san who love to work

My name is Grid Ractos.I am the head of the duke household in the Azolias Kingdom.

I am also the administrator for the kingdom.

Well, although I am called the administrator of the kingdom, I actually have very little involvement in politics.

My actual job is to manage the resources of this kingdom.

So why am I called an administrator when I am in charge of resource management?

The reason is that except for me..no one else is able to handle the resources of this kingdom.

Actually, there are people who can, more or less, able to handle the work. However, the number of incompetents far outnumber those who arent. If I werent worked hard to handle it, the economy would have collapsed and the country in ruins.

..It is that dangerous.

Because of that, I was awarded the high rank of administrator to prevent me from leaving.

At least, thats what prime minister said. His majesty also said that, too.

Truthfully, even if I didnt have such a position, I would have done the work anyway..

After all, I love doing financial paperwork.

I couldnt use magic like my son.

I also couldnt learn swordsmanship like my daughter.

War, and conflict in general, frightens me.

I lose my breath even after a short jog, you know..

But..I, who works so hard, is hated by the citizens..

As expected its because of that right? Because I have a scary face, right?

Well, to be honest, once when I went to the toilet at night and upon looking into the mirror, even myself is frightened.

Ah, I felt rather down.

when I felt like this, it is that right.

I have a favourite restaurant to go to; it is a place that serves foreign cuisine.

Theres nothing better than to eat something at that place, you know.

Todays job is already finished too, so now is the perfect time to snack, right before dinner.

And thus, prime-minister-dono, this one will go to the castle town for a minute.

I am currently traveling incognito to the castle city.

I am both a duke and an administrator therefore I have to disguise myself.

However, its quite prosperous, eh. This castle town, that is.

There were quite a lot of stores, with the aroma of various foods permeating through the air.

But I have never eaten anything from the street vendors before.

The salesperson-san will get scared, you know.

Being feared is sad, right? This one is sad.

Thats why, that unknown meat that is pierced by the skewer will be consumed by me.

I never ate that dish before, you know. Even though it gave off such a nice fragrance.

These were my thoughts as I walked towards the shop, when I suddenly discovered a little girl crying.

Ah, what should I do. After all, my face is scary, right..?

If I carelessly try to approach that girl, perhaps she will cry even more..

But, I cannot leave someone like this alone you know..Yosh.

[Ojou-chan, are there any problems?] [su_spoiler title=Spoiler Title](TL : with a really deep voice, actually the japanese raw sound cute adding ne at the last of his sentence ojou chan, doushita noka ne?][/su_spoiler] Our gazes met, and then silence filled the air.

Ah, this is not going to end well. [ Hie~~~Nn!! ]

Arara, she really cried even harder.

Even though I understand why that is so, this is still quite heartbreaking.

I can hear the clanking sound of armor from the distance, slowly getting louder.

[This is the kingdoms garrison! You over there! What are you trying to do!!]

Uwawa~ . The guard has come.

Furthermore when he shouted like this, it gives off the bad impression that I was about to do something to this girl.

I really wanted to cry at this point.

[Wha- You are Administrator Grid-Ractos!?]

Oh? The guard actually realized my true identity?

[Why is Administrator-dono in this castle town..So the rumour of you being in touch with the crime syndicate is?]

Eh? Somehow the situation suddenly became weird, you know?

Or rather, what do you mean by crime syndicate? I didnt know that we had a crime syndicate.

I only came to this place for a snack, you know?

[..Since it seems that I need to hear the detail of the circumstances, I need to have you follow me, Administrator-dono]

Wait, what? Somehow I am being dragged away because of some groundless suspicion?

Rather than that, ask about what happened to the girl that was crying over there, you.

Eh, that girl hid herself behind the guard.

This is..Doesnt it look like I am the bad guy here? I seems as if I am in trouble now~

[W-Wait! Wait for a moment, the guard over there!!]

And then, prime minister-dono who was breathing rather heavily after running toward me who was currently in a tight spot, came to the rescue.

For some reason, he started to have a conversation with the guard.

..Am I being ignored like an outsider, right now?

Ah, prime minister-dono finished his conversation and is coming over here.

[Administrator-dono. I cleared up the situation, everything is going to be all right.]

Oh, thank god..As expected from prime minister-dono, he seems to have responded quickly as soon as he heard the information from his spy that lurks around town.

I was about to get arrested from false charge, you know~

..Not to mention, the guard just leaves without even giving me an apology.

You do realize that I am the administrator, right? On top of that, I am also a duke..

I am starting to feel melancholic.

[Prime minister-dono. I think Im going to take a day off tomorrow..]

Chapter 3: Prime Minister-dono is Mach

I am the current prime minister of this country.

The king of this country which I serve, restrain foreign country with country military might, sometime won war,and so its a country which get supported by citizens due to the military.

However, there was one major flaw; the king was *ahem* very poor at resource management, finance, and politics.

Therefore, I, as the Prime Minister, and Grid Ractos-san, had to cover for his weaknesses.

I managed the politics while Grid-san managed the resources and finance.

As I was managing the politics, since the king also learned a little bit about it, its not all that bad, but it was different from resource department.

Frankly speaking, it wouldnt have been an exaggeration to say that Grid-san manages all the resources of this country by himself.

It truly could not be counted as an exaggeration.

Even now, Grid-san was processing a staggering amounts of paperwork that would have been enough to make anyone feel a heart attack by looking at it.

His hands whisked away with signatures after signatures in terifying speed.

while happily hums to himself

.. Even so.

(humming happily with that kind of face, is have its own horror eh.)

Grid-san who always dealt with the paperwork in a happy fashion was followed by an endless amount of negative rumours.

As if, [The man who looks like The Devil]. [Corrupt Administrator] or such

The main cause of this was his face, which look like that of an evil overlords or a tyrants at a glance.

Most of the higher-ups of the country, like myself or the king, understood that these were just baseless rumours, but commoners and lower nobles all took these rumours to be the truth.

If this was the limit, it would have been all right.

Actually, no, it would not have been fine. But its still better.

The problem is Administer-dono is a very sensitive man. I am not kidding.

Just last month, when he collided with a woman in the city, she wailed and prayed for forgiveness and her life to be spared. After the situation was defused, Grid-san refused to touch any documents for two days.

That day felt like hell..

[Imperial Minister-dono]

The administrator called out to me who is still in the middle of deep thought.

I thought he was still battling that mountain of documents, but it seems that he had already finished.

Hes definitely a monster, just not the way the rumors portray him to be.

[Then, I will go to the city to grab a snack.]

..Take care.

After a seemingly inexhaustible hour, the spy rushed in with a report. Furthermore, he seemed really flustered.

..I had a sense of foreboding at that moment.

[P-Prime minister-dono! Administrator-dono . by the guard ! !]

I, while running at my maximum speed, breaking through the limits of my aged body.

[..Since it seems that I need to hear the detail of the circumstances, I need to have you follow me, Administrator-dono]

I dashed to the city, and becoming one with the wind, all to hear what the guard has just spoken.

[W-Wait! Wait for a moment the guard over there!!]

I hurriedly interrupted them and begun to talk to the guard.

Crime syndicate? What are you talking about, you?! Do you intend to made our financial affairs bankrupt by some kind of weird rumor!? Hah!

Like I said, Ill be the one to do something about Administrator-dono.

Slave trade?! I never received such information from the spy, you know!

Just quickly, go! Move on and do whatever you are supposed to be doing! P-Patrol or something!

After I successfully managed to release the administrator from the guard, I quickly go toward the administrator-dono to made a follow up.

Just as I looked over; ah. Seems like Administrator-dono received quite the shock.

[Prime minister-dono. I think Im going to take the day off tomorrow..]

I heard nothing more after that, for I had immediately fainted upon hearing those words.

Chapter 4: We shall pray for your siblings to always be remembered!

I am Liliana Ractos, the wife of the administrator of this country, Grid Ractos.

When I was 16 years old, I married into the Ractos House.

It was a marriage based on love; something rare for nobles, you know.

It seemed that both of us had fallen in love at first sight.

Of course, even now, I still love my husband you know?

He is an honest and serious person; I always felt that the face he made while praising my cooking was very charming, you know?

My husband was a great, kind, person. However, all the citizens hate him. I was told that it was because his face was like an evil persons face. I wonder what they mean? After all, his face is very handsome

And when I said that, it seemed like people begun to fear me too.

[Forming a contract with a demon to get her beauty] or [Everyone who pisses her off will become the feed for her big spider] or so they said.

I wasnt really offended when they said that about my beauty, but I was a bit offended when they said that about my spider.

Mary-chan has never eaten humans!

Ah, Mary-chan has been my friend since I was young.

It was a big, cute spider with bushy hair and bright red eyes.

Mary-chan was around 60 cm and had the same lifespan as humans. Her species were known as [Crimson Eyes]. (EN: CRIMSON!!!!!!)

It doesnt have any poison and also eats the pests. She is very useful, no?

We~ll, since she seems to be omnivorous, she also seems to like my cooking.

[Nee~, Mary-chan]

[Kisyaah ]

Although she cannot speak, she can understand our conversation to some extent you know? She is a smart kid.

But, is the fact that she is a spider a bad thing?

Especially since I was a girl

Was it a long time ago?

Uhm, it was at some kind of party, wasnt it?

I dont remember what happened very clearly, but just as we were talking very happily, my conversation partner fainted because she saw Mary-chan who had come up to me because she was hungry. I recall correctly, the party ended very quickly from there.

Well, I guess anyone who has never seen her before would be surprised when they suddenly see a big spider appear in front of them.

At that time, I did something a bit evil, hehe~

If im not mistaken, yes yes. Olivia-san, that lovely person with her red dress.

Even when we meet coincidentally after that, she would seem to be slightly afraid of me..

Which reminds me, every time I meet her, she is always wearing a red dress.

Every time I see her, it makes me want to cook tomato-based cuisine

I wonder why? Is it because it was red?

. Oh my? Just now, Prime Minister-sama dashed down the road in front of our house with amazing speed.

Even though he is already that old, he is always full of energy hmm~.

. Maybe today I shall cook fish meunire. (EN: A thick, flour-based sauce. Or so google sensei says.)

When I see Prime Minister-sama it makes me want to cook fish-based cuisine. I wonder why?

Is it because he looks similar to ? (TL : tired eyes > dead fish eyes -> looked like fish, also maybe its because hes so skinny from stress)

Since Ive decided that, I guess I should begin to look for ingredients?

Chapter 5: The Duchess’s Trauma

I will never forget it; that national day 5 years ago.

It was a buffet party, only attended by the upper nobles of the castle.

I, the Duchess Olivia Koorfid, will never forget that day when this fear was planted in me by that girl, Liliana Ractos I cannot forget it.

At that time, that girl was already known as the [Arachne Duchess] and was widely feared.

However, I was not afraid of her. I was envious, and jealous.

At her age already past 30 years she still had a youthful face without any wrinkles, and a body full of liveliness, from which came a bewitching aura.

I was jealous of that beauty; that beauty which even I could not imagine deteriorating even as she got older.

Thats why, I had planned to harass her that time.

I had planned to humiliate her at that big gathering of nobles. However, I could never have imagined what would have happened instead..

Liliana was standing by herself on the balcony.

The big spider that was always beside her was not present in the assembly hall. However, that was a matter of course. No matter how I thought about it, it would be strange to bring a big spider to this kind of gathering.

Well, even if she had brought the spider with her, I would not have been afraid.

Although it seemed like others would have been afraid, I was not scared.

In fact, I would not have been scared of that woman; although she was a duchess now, she had only been a counts daughter before.

I, who had been born into a dukes household (ED: *COUGH*) was of higher birth than her.

What should I have been afraid of?

[My, Arachne Duchess. So, you are wearing that black dress like usual?Come to think of it, I heard that black western cloth is pretty convenient to conceal your body figure. Do you not have confidence in your body, perhaps?] (TL : in a very elegant manner)

As much as possible, I covered up my animosity of her and only showed a clean, serious face. Perhaps a little of my annoyance had shone through, but as I thought, she was not affected by something this trivial.

[Eh? Is it because I am tasting my cooking too much? I think I have become a little fatter..]

Even though she says she got a little fatter, Im sure she did not even once think so.

However, this attacking hand, no, mouth, will not falter.

[My ~. Even though you are a duchess, you are also able to cook? That is surprisingly plebeian like, eh?]

Well then. How will you respond?

[Ye~s . Grid-sama and Mary-chan also happily eat the food that I make, you know ~]

Liliana answered me while floating a smile on her face.

The name that that mouth mentioned, the name of the devil-like person; I faltered a bit after hearing the name Grid Ractos.

But Mary-chan.?

[ . If Im not wrong, the name of your daughter is Erza, isnt it? And your son should be called Jake, right? Then, if I may ask, who is Mary-chan?]

[Ah, Mary-chan is the [Crimson Eye] Its the name of that big spider who is my friend ~]

That big spider was eating Lilianas cuisine? That monster?

I ended up imagining such a scene. It was better that I didnt.

I recalled one of the dark rumours about her.

Anyone who displeases her, will become the prey of her big spider.

[ kshyaa ~ ] (ED: SFX)

[Oh?]

A voice that didnt belong to a human could be heard from outside the balcony.

Liliana turned and looked at the one who made that sound. I subconsciously followed her and looked over.

Five red glinting eyeballs stared right back at me. (ED: Dont spiders have 8 eyes?)

[Hii !?]

I reflexively shrieked a little.

Thinking back, when I saw the spider, it would have been normal to scream.

No, the one that was scary was not that big spider.

It was that woman, Liliana Ractos, when she said that she made the food for that spider.

Everybody who displeased her, would become food for her spider.

In other words, that woman, with humans..?!

[Oh my~ Mary-chan . Did you get hungry? . I guess it cant be helped ~]

[Come to think of it, Olivia-san. Your dress, it has a lovely red color eh. It looks delicious, like a tomato.]

(This woman, wants to make me into food for the spider . ! )

And so, I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the Koorfid house.

It seemed that my attendant had carried me back to the house when I fainted.

When I felt that I was alive, the fear constantly flowed in me.

For a while, the trembling of my body could not stop.

Never again do I want to have something to do with the woman, Liliana Ractos.

It seemed that she overlooked it this time, but next time, I would become food for the spider for sure.

- Her cuisine.

At present, Ive already recovered a bit, but whenever I meet that woman, my body cant stop trembling.

She always says it when she sees me, and she always has that big spider on her hand.

[As I thought, it really does look deliciously red.]

For those people wondering about OP INN, the translator for this novel and OP INN is busy with exams now. This chapter you just read (or didnt read) was from the stockpile. If you want to give him more motivation, please join our discord and say hi! Also, the full responsibility for the chapters are mine. If you have any complains, please say them below! m(_)m

Chapter 6: Jake-san is a Home Economics guy.

My name is Jake. Jake – Ractos, the oldest son of the duke house of Ractos. My father is Grid – Ractos.

He is the administrator of this country.

Even so, what he does most, is manage the financial affairs of our country, and doesn’t do much in politics. He is a delicate man who is quite timid.

But even so, it seems that every citizen in this country fears my father.

I think that, maybe, it is because of his face. To be honest, even I am scared.

There was a time that I woke up at night to go to the toilet and came across him. I almost wet myself.

Although, if I say that to him, he will probably go seclude himself in his room, so I will never say that to him.

None of our problems are better than our father’s.

For some reason, Mother, my sister and I are feared by the people too.

For my mother, well, it’s to be expected if they fear Mary-chan, no?

My sister….well, if someone brings a double handed sword that big, and wears a full plate that makes loud, clattering noises………well of course, right?

As for me ….. what is my problem, I wonder?

Ah ~ …. maybe…….it’s really because of the sorcery, right?…….

I have a magical trait that I received from my grandfather.

Furthermore, it’s the rare [shadow sorcery].

Just like the name says, it is sorcery that allows one to manifest and manipulate shadows. (ED: Doctor Strange, anyone?)

It seems to be the same trait as the one my grandfather had.

My grandfather, Diebold – Ractos was, at his prime days, a famous sorcerer, and his nickname is [Sorcerer King of the Dusk ] …….

Sorcerer King….twilight….aren’t those all related to evilness?

….. Well, it’s not like it’s my place to say it.

[Incarnation of devil snake]

That’s my nickname.

People say that the shape of the magic that manipulate makes it look like I am accompanied by a snake.

I don’t want it! I want something like, [Lightning] or maybe [Whirlwind] or those kinds of heroic nicknames as my nicknames, you know?!

What do you mean, with that devil snake, with that incarnation?!

It means that I’m that devil snake ? Isn’t that totally a monster?!

Well, I think the reason that they fear me is not only that though.

[As I thought, it’s the face, right….?]

My face was reflected back at me in the spring in the middle of the castle town.

An eye that always looks like it is laughing, a mouth that always looks like I am scoffing.

Once a week, I get told something like [Bastard, what are you scheming?]

I don’t think about anything except that I want a friend, I want a lover…..(ED: My good brother, come here ;;)

Although I learn sorcery, since I am the eldest son, I will probably be taking over father’s job and manage finances in the future.

I don’t scheme to dominate the world using sorcery, you know?!

Uh, my face itself shouldn’t be that bad…..how did it turn out like this?

[shaah …. ]

Something peeked out from the pocket of my clothes and looked over my face; it was a black snake with red eyes.

[…. Are you trying to comfort me ? Nako]

Her name is Nako.

Because of the dark rumours surrounding our house, I’ve never had any friends since childhood. She was my only friend.

Well, since I was able to make a friend, no matter how scarce, then she should be my best friend, right?

After I finished my sorcery training, I summoned her as my familiar. She is quite reliable.

[That’s right. It can’t be helped even if I feel down. At a time like this, it’s best to eat delicious things. That’s what father says after all …. maybe I should go looking around the stalls.]

[shaa — h! ]

Entering the side road from the main road, I move into an alleyway which has fewer people.

…..after all, if I stay on the main road, then people will look at me hostilely.

Ah……not good. I am turning negative again.

Just then, I heard the sound of a woman screaming from the alleyway.

When I take a peek …. how terrible! There’s one girl who is about to be violated by two men.

Uwaah, their muscles are brawny …. it’s scary~ . I have this very-meager body after all, so I am not quite fond of those types of people, you know.

No, it’s not the time to think something like that. I am a sorcerer. I must have a confidence.

At this kind of time, it’s better to use a strong remark to make oneself look haughty! is what grandfather said.

A-Alright, I’ll do it ….. !

—- Several minutes later, I, who somehow able to punish the hoodlums and save the girl, felt this satisfied feeling ….. or not.

Didn’t she become more scared of me then the hoodlums? This girl ……

[Oi , Jake – Ractos … !]

When I turn over and look at who has called me, there appeared the kingdom’s first prince.

His name is Alto – Azolias.

Wait, why did is prince at this kind of place?! He also didn’t bring any guards; it’s dangerous, you know?!

[What are you planning to do with those men?]

Well, what should I do about them? Should I hand them to the guards?

[…… Bastard, what is it exactly that you are scheming?]

Haha, today, I got told that again.

Ah, somehow prime minister-san is running out to the main street with an amazing speed.

Such a lively person, that prime minister.

Chapter 7: The Prince is Doubtful

I, the Azolias Kingdom’s First Prince, Alto – Azolias, am vigilant.

Against whom, you ask? Well of course, it is against the [Ractos Household].

Everytime he exchanges words with my father, who is the King, with a haughty attitude – I am absolutely sure that Grid Ractos is trying to start something in our country.

However, the on whom I am most cautious against is that guy. Jake Ractos.

I always see him in a back alley where there aren’t a lot of people. It seems he is always planning something.

Although I don’t have any evidence – that expression.

I cannot say that that is the expression of someone who is sane.

Surely, he is biding his time, searching for an opportunity to begin his actions.

He is just like a poisonous serpent, hiding in the thicket.

Like every other day, I secretly followed after him today. (TL : umm… prince, “today too,” ….. aren’t you a stalker!)

Today, for sure, will be the day when I will get the evidence. The decisive evidence that your family is plotting something!

Just as I thought. Jake entered the back alley.

In order to remain unseen, I followed him while raising my vigilance.

However, I soon lost sight of Jake.

Dammit! Where did he go? No way, did he realise I was tailing him? With his shadow magic he……..?

As I searched the surroundings for any signs of him, I heard a man bellowing from an alley.

I suppressed my presence as much as I could and took a peek – There was Jake Ractos who confronted two men, grinning boldly.

[ Bastard ! What do you want, huuh !? ]

[We~ll…. i’m quite troubled here, you know. If you do such a thing here …… ]

The man shouted at Jake with a loud voice.

Deeper inside the alley, there was a girl whose clothing was tattered.

no way, did he intended to save that girl who is about to get raped ? That Jake is ?

No way. That….that Jake Ractos………was he intending to save the girl from being raped?!

[Haaah ! ? What do you mean ? ]

[You know…..that thing you are doing…….just do it in another place…..]

No, it seemed that Jake was only worried if they did something [in this area].

[ Oi! There are two of us. You’re just alone. On top of that, a weak looking person like you can only…. ]

[ Wai-Wait. This guy, perhaps……. he is the incarnation of the devil snake….!? ]

As soon as the men realised Jake’s identity, their faces became visibly paler.

Of course they would be afraid. The grandson of that [Sorcerous King of the Dusk], was one of the few who could use [shadow sorcery].

He was not an opponent you could defeat by mere brute strength alone.

[He-heeh! Wait, this demon snake uses shadow magic, right? This is an alley with no light. He won’t be able to use his prided shadow magic!]

As if to act strong, the man said that proudly.

That’s wrong, that’s totally wrong…..

[My grandfather is known as the 『 Sorcerous King of the Dusk』. Do you guys know why?]

That’s right, the exemplary user of shadow sorcery, Diebold – Ractos.

[When the sun goes down……..at night, he is truly invincible. It is fitting, then, to call him the Sorcerous King….]

[You do realise, at night, everything is basically one, big and totally enormous 『Shadow』…. ? By the way….in this dim place…..don’t you think this place itself is one big shadow?]

And as he quietly spoke, from inside the darkness of the alley, just like dark serpents, countless shadows took form and gradually rose out.

[ Hi, hiiih!?]

I wondered where the haughtiness of those guys went. They kept making pathetic cries; it seems they can’t move due to fear.

[Miss. I think it is better if you quickly leave here, you know? Inside this huge shadow, it’ll become a problem if you get caught, you know. After all, this is the belly of a serpent…..]

As he said it jokingly, Jake made a “kishishishi” laugh, like a snake.

The strong people around me. The Knight Captain, Spy commander, and my father, who is the king.

A fear that was different from what I felt in-front of their overwhelming power ran around my body. A fear that made me feel as if there was a snake coiled around me, a fear that made my body temperature plummet.

Perhaps it was because of that fear, that the girl who couldn’t say a word, frantically ran away from Jake, tripping as she went.

The matter was concluded in an instant.

Countless shadow serpents tightly constrained the men so that they could not run away, while blocking their mouths so they could not raise their voice.

Jake, ignoring those guys, took out a magic communication item from his pocket, and then made a call.

[ ….. that’s correct, two men. Across the street from Crescent Moon Pavilion. Yes, I can’t take them both over there, after all.]

It seemed like he had asked someone to do something about those men over the magic communication item.

I felt slightly restless. I was sure he was planning to do something to those men.

If I wanted to cut in, this would be the best time, right?

Jake continued to walk down the alley slowly.

Perhaps, this is the right time to catch him.

[ Oi, Jake – Ractos ….! What are you trying to do to those men? ]

My leg wasn’t shaking, right?

As Jake slowly turned his face towards me, cold sweat poured down my back.

[ Oh? So it was First Prince Alto. It’s dangerous you know~ . Coming to this place without any guards. ]

[Answer! Jake!! ]

I erased my fear by shouting.

[ … Of course, I want to give them to the guard. Properly …… and normally …. look?]

That’s clearly a lie.

This guy, I wonder what in the world he was planning to do with those poor guys.

[ …. Bastard, what are you scheming?]

Without answering my question, Jake silently gave a bow, then, without looking back at me, walked off deeper into the alley.

[ Your scheming…..I’ll surely expose it! I’ll not let you do as you please in this country!]

Chapter 8: Disappointing, Beautiful (Babe) Erza

My name, is Erza- Ractos ! (TL : She use Jibun – which can be used by man and woman. used by warrior I think. Can also mean “myself” also she always shout! )

I am, the oldest daughter of the Ractos household!

Dad, Grid Ractos, is the administrator of the country!

Although I am only a young person in my sixteens, His Majesty and the Knight Captain had their eyes on me. As a result of my diligent training, I was honored with the position of the Kingdom’s Chivalric Knights, Heavy Armour Knight, Vice Captain!

Thanks to that, no one will say anything even if I walk around while wearing this full plate heavy armour all day!

….Yes, I am often called [ eccentric ] by my honored brother and also my honored mother, but …..

Knight’s equipment. Especially the armour. I love it!!!!

I’m also quite interested in dresses or maybe jewels and the like, just like any other young woman at my age. But, what good are those thin fabrics, and those fragile stones?! I completely do not understand it!!

Compared to this thick, black, metal plate that I am wearing at the moment, the dress is only beautiful! It’s defensive power is more or less nonexistent! (ED: I’m getting FFXV vibes peeps)

It would be better if they had magic stones, but the jewel is only something shiny! If I poke it with this strong gauntlet that is also made from black metal, it will be smashed into bits!

Ah, it will trouble me if you misunderstand.

It is vexing if you think that this is just armour, or just something that is strong and solid…..(ED: Like my sword hm?)

This armour’s beauty……I polish it to the extent that no one else can match it!

The design of every part is to deflect sword strikes, a streamlined shape.

Furthermore, it is ornamented with reddish metal, allowing it to have a fiery glow.

Semi-polished with heat resistance treatment on the surface.

The inner-plate which I wear inside is furnished with a cold-resistant soft silver metal. It’s all perfect, even the places where no one can see. (ED: *insert lenny*)

…….Ah. You realised it? Did you realise it?

That’s right! Let me tell you the truth! This armour was fully custom made!

Exclusively for me, mine only, only one! Only one just for me!

Oops, what a blunder I just made. I only focused on the armour and forgot about the main explanation.

Yes! This double handed sword!!

Of course, it is also made out of black metal! Fully Custom!

Fufu, furthermore it’s not just black metal.

With the assistance of a high grade sorcerer who possesses metal-forging traits – Wow! – it was attached with a magic stone of fire and earth!

And the result of that is – surprisingly – that the edge of the blade will become red hot and vibrates at high speed!! (ED: *insert lenny faces everywhere)

There is nothing it cannot cut!!

Furthermore, until some time ago, I was actually allowed to go subjugate the monsters around here because of my job as a knight. During that time, I was allowed to swing this armour and sword as much I wanted.

Perhaps it was because of that, that it seemed my tension got higher.

Ah, the sensation of easily slicing through the monsters.

The pleasant impact when my armour completely protects me from the monster’s fang is really….really…….!

『Woooooooooooohh ! ! !』

[ Oi , Erza! We are inside the castle walls now! ]

…I became too excited and ended up roaring. I was scolded by Captain-dono.

I became downhearted.

Ah, all of the newcomer knights got scared.

I am sorry.

Yes…….judging by the reaction of the new knights…..yes, I seem to be feared for some reason?

If I’m not mistaken…..the hell ……… darkness…? black ……? Uuum, i think it’s because of that somewhat annoying nickname that I am feared……

By the way, honored father and honored mother, and also honored brother is for some reason also feared.

I completely did not understand the reason for this matter!

Ah, the one we just gossiped about, it’s honored father.

What is he doing in the middle of the main street … eh ?

Why did the prime minister-dono sleep at this kind of place?

It’s better if he sleeps inside since he will catch a cold if he sleeps at this place, you know!

(TL : She uses dearimasu at the end of her sentence. Dearimasu !)