Chapter 176: Wimp

Chapter 176: Wimp

“And so Rafatalia’s proposed Atlas countermeasure is you?” (Naofumi)
“Yes, I am also quite troubled.” (Sadina)

Sadina answers while pouring herseld a glass of sake in my room.
Why was she even chosen?

“Well, just leave it to this Onee-san.” (Sadina)
“That’s just making me more anxious.” (Naofumi)

Sadina had a fast growth rate, and she is already level 35.
She hunts alone.
I wonder how strong the sea monsters she fights are.
Should I send the other slaves ocean monster hunting? I could build boats, and…

“And, what exactly should I do? Should I act like I’m having a good time with Naofumi-chan in front of Atlas-chan?” (Sadina)
“That sounds idiotic. What do you mean by, ‘a good time’.” (Naofumi)

She’s avoiding directly saying anything indecent, but Sadina is slowly taking off her loincloth.
Who wants to have a good time with you!? Please limit your jokes.
Rafatalia, your choice of personnel is wrong.

“If it’s with Naofumi-chan, I think I can have a good time.” (Sadina)
“Listen to people when they’re talking to you.” (Naofumi)
“Hm? What sort of good time did you have in mind? I wanted to invite you to drink sake with me.” (Sadina)
“*Sigh*…” (Naofumi)

My head hurts. And I haven’t even drunken anything.
So she was adjusting the cloth as not to spill anything on it.
I’m supposed to be past an age where I get flustered by something like that.

“Anyways, stop calling me Naofumi-chan.” (Naofumi)
“Isn’t it fine?” (Sadina)
“No, it’s not. That’s why I’m telling you.” (Naofumi)

Why am I spending my night under the same roof as this one? Dealing with people like this tires me out.
This is all Atlas’s fault.

“Don’t be so stiff. Gaelion-chan is also helping keep watch.” (Sadina)
“KYUA!” (Gaelion)

Just in case, we also have Gaelion standing on watch.
He’s too big to fit through the door.
But we somehow managed to squeeze him in.
Gaelion has curled up in a corner of the room.
He occasionally wanders around looking at the objects in my room with curiosity.

“Sleeping with Gaelion-chan feels quite high-class.” (Sadina)
“That’s all you’re thinking of?” (Naofumi)

This person… I’m not going to become her toy.

“Do you have any intention of answering Atlas-chan’s feeling?” (Sadina)
“Feelings? That person is a child. Rafatalia is the same. My relationship with them is like father and child.” (Naofumi)

They didn’t have anyone to look out for them, and suddenly I took up that role for them.
Even if they may mistake that emotion for love, it’s more like the love they will have for their family.
And as an elder, I cannot approach them based on those vague emotions.
That’s something that comes after they mature mentally.

And even if they mature, we are in a situation where anyone could die in battle at any moment.
I only bought Rafatalia because she was the same Gender as Witch. I don’t have the right to be like that with her.
The same goes for Atlas.

“I’m a coward, you know. I’m building a place that may take them to their deaths here.” (Naofumi)
“And that’s Naofumi-chan’s reason?” (Sadina)

Sadina stares at me with serious eyes.

“Naofumi-chan sure does treasure everyone.” (Sadina)
“Did you hear what I just said? I’m nothing but a coward.” (Naofumi)
“I’ll leave it at that. But if you get really close to Rafatalia-chan, you better be prepared for stuff like that.” (Sadina)
“What are you even talking about?” (Naofumi)

I think the Sake is getting to her.
After talking for a while, she lies on the bed, and turns her back to the door.

“Um.” (Atlas)

What the hell are you doing? Before I can say that, Atlas quickly opens the door and enters the room.

“Oh my, Naofumi-chan is quite bold~.” (Sadina)
“Who is being b-!?” (Naofumi)

She lifts up the covers and pulls me in, interrupting my sentence.
What is this? W-wait!

“Ara, Atlas-chan? Naofumi-chan is currently doing something fun with this Onee-chan, so please come back later.” (Sadina)

Don’t screw with me.
I don’t want to get into a situation that could cause such misunderstandings.
Her large body is trying to crush me.
But, don’t forget that I am the Hero of the Shield.
Something of this weight feels like nothing.

“KYUA!” (Gaelion)

For some reason, even Gaelion climbs into the bed.

“I really don’t get that feeling…” (Atlas)
“Ara? You saw through it. Oh well. ‘Twas a Failure.” (Sadina)
“What do you mean failure!?” (Naofumi)

Was this Sadina’s supposed Atlas Countermeasure?
She can’t see, so if she doesn’t feel that sort of presence, Atlas won’t be fooled.
And even if it succeeded, my standings in the village would be crushed. Everyone would look at me like a pervert.
What sort of situation would have me in this position with Sadina.

“Quit it!” (Naofumi)
“Then onto stage 2. Gaelion-chan.” (Sadina)
“KYUA!” (Gaelion)
“Go try to have a fun time with Atlas.” (Sadina)
“That’s definitely impossible. Give it up.” (Naofumi)

Stage 2…!?
Are these people even serious?

“Naofumi-sama and Sadina-san sure get along well.” (Atlas)

Atlas ignores us and enters the house.
Don’t enter my house without permission!

“Now then, Atlas-chan. You understand why I’m here, right?” (Sadina)
“…Yes.” (Atlas)
“You’re quick minded. Atlas-chan is quite a good girl, but please leave these sorts of things for when you become an adult.” (Sadina)
“I can’t.” (Atlas)
“T-this Onee-san doesn’t like kids who don’t listen.” (Sadina)
“I yearn for Naofumi-sama. I just want to get a little closer to him.” (Atlas)
“Arara… This is quite serious.” (Sadina)

Sadina seems to have given up.
So Rafatalia’s countermeasures only go this far.

“Naofumi-chan, won’t you have a fun time with Atlas-chan?” (Sadina)
“Hell no!” (Naofumi)
“Then there’s no helping it.” (Sadina)

Sadina puts her hand on Atlas’s shoulder.

“Atlas-chan, Naofumi-chan is a wimp, so he can’t bring himself to devour women.” (Sadina)
“Wimp? Oy!” (Naofumi)

Somehow the situation has headed in this direction!

“It’s alright. Naofumi-sama is someone who does things when the time is right.” (Atlas)

Atlas seems to have developed a strange trust in me!
This is a pain! I want to run away.
Does this girl even know what she’s saying?

“Your resolve is unwavering. Atlas-chan, me and Naofumi-chan are concerned about your age.” (Sadina)
“My… age?” (Atlas)
“Yeah, Atlas-chan is still a child. You’ve just gotten over your illness, so please grow up healthily. And if you still love Naofumi-chan at that point… Naofumi-chan will consider it as well.” (Sadina)
“I see…” (Atlas)

Atlas seems troubled. She tilts her head as she answers.
Nice follow-up.
Because she’s a child, tell her ‘After you grow up, we’ll get married.’

Since I was raised in Otaku culture, I know the phrase works.
It will bring some problems down the road, but I don’t plan to stay in this world for too long. So I don’t have to deal with it.
Yeah, let’s go with this.

…Wait. Isn’t this the train of thought of a wimp?
Let’s not think too hard about it.

“It’s still too early for you.” (Sadina)
“But I heard that he sleeps with Rafatalia-chan.” (Atlas)
“Not that ‘sleep with’. We just sleep in the same house. The only one who sometimes climbs into my bed is Firo.” (Naofumi)
“Then, without any deeper meaning, please let me sleep in the same bed as you.” (Atlas)

It was no good. Words aren’t getting through.
No it seems that they are, but her will is unchanged.

“And this is a place where I may die tomorrow. If I have to wait to adulthood, it may be too late.” (Atlas)

…So she realized it.
In this world, you don’t know when and where you might die.
And the people of my village are eventually going to combat the wave.
It goes without saying that the people here may die.
But this is a child whose illness could have taken her at any time.
She must live treasuring very day.

“I can’t live relying on my brother forever. I want to properly marry someone.” (Atlas)
“… And that someone is Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)
“Yes, I can’t consider anyone other than Naofumi-sama.” (Atlas)
“Then it would be best for you to understand his feelings more.” (Sadina)
“Naofumi-sama’s feelings?” (Atlas)
“Right. Naofumi-chan is considering Atlas-chan and everyone else. It’s not like he has no special feelings for you, but there is something more important than that. Do you understand?” (Sadina)
“… Yes.” (Atlas)

Atlas answers after a long silence.
Sadina is quite good with words.
Is she just good with dealing with children?
I should caution myself not to get swept up into her pace.

“From Naofumi-chan’s point of view, Atlas-chan is a precious villager. Everyone in this village is like family to him. Even his closest Rafatalia understands this.” (Sadina)

Though I believe that Rafatalia is quite diligent, and uninterested in love.
But if I bring that up here, I will get into trouble, so I’ll keep quiet.

“So don’t try to be selfish or Naofumi-chan will get mad. Please wait for the right opportunity to get him.” (Sadina)
“I understand.” (Atlas)

Sadina points at me… For some reason her index finger and middle finger are curled with her thumb in-between them.
In my world, that sign is quite dangerous.
I wonder what it means in this one.
It seems Sadina is using it in the way I know.

“Then I’ll sleep in his room waiting for the opportunity.” (Atlas)
“Nothing Changed!” (Naofumi)
“KYUA!” (Gaelion)

What am I supposed to do.

“There’s no helping it. This Onee-chan will sleep with you. Don’t go crawling into Naofumi-chan’s bed.” (Sadina)
“Got it.” (Atlas)

For now… Does she understand?
I don’t feel any safer.
Atlas lies down on Rafatalia’s bed.

“Sadina-san, before we sleep can you tell me a story?” (Atlas)
“Let’s see, then will one about the ocean be fine?” (Sadina)

Sadina soothes Atlas and begins speaking.
She’s a strange person, but she seems to be nice.
She’s trusted by the villagers, though I don’t get what they see in her. She’s become about as trusted as me.
They rely on her more than Rafatalia.
She also seems to be good with children. If she doesn’t mess around, there are a few jobs I want her to do.

“KYUA!” (Gaelion)

Gaelion was listening to Sadina’s story, but he soon got bored and began snooping around the room.
He sticks his head into the sack I keep the materials used to make new clothes and weapons.

“Hey, don’t tamper with that.” (Naofumi)

Gaelion is quite a curious one. He’s also easy to deal with. Firo was also like this once.

Is what… I thought.
But I never thought this would be the trigger for that big incident.