—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Wow, you’re quite popular.”
“It’s because he’s an accommodating person.”
Don’t poke me with your finger.
Even if you’re joking, you could pierce through a person’s body with your finger.
I didn’t want to be X-ed in this other world, though I was sure Renny was controlling her strength.
In front of him was Renny.
To his left was Elisa, and to his right was Millia and sitting on the bed watching all this was Karina.
In a room that was 80% women, Johann could only sit in an awkward posture.
One might think it would be nice to be surrounded by women, but Johann didn’t feel that way.
The two puppies on either side of him were engaged in a battle of nerves with teeth that barely fit in their mouths.
“…You let go first!”
“…N-No…”
“Both of you let go.”
There was no choice.
Johann forcibly pulled his hands free and folded his arms.
Then he hardened his expression.
It was a tactic to forcibly stop the two’s battle of nerves.
At Johann’s action, Millia and Elisa stopped fighting and began fidgeting, watching his reaction.
“J-Johann… are you angry?”
“…”
“Uh, um, ah, um…”
What was with this atmosphere?
Why did it feel like cold water had been poured on everything?
He hadn’t made that serious of an expression.
Johann was about to speak up in this incomprehensible situation, but the Karina’s benevolent lips opened first.
“Johann. Please understand, they’re both just a little excited.”
Why was she trying to soothe him?
He wasn’t angry, but before Johann could speak, Renny’s merciless double hit landed.
“Loosen up your face, you look like you’re about to bury someone alive.”
Why was she attacking his innocent face? Did he really look that scary?
Until now he had just let it slide, but it was time to ask.
“Renny. Do I really look that scary?”
“I can’t say you don’t.”
The answer that came out without a moment’s hesitation almost broke his heart.
She could have at least sugar-coated it a bit. Like Karina…
“It’s okay! They say what’s inside is more important than looks!”
“Please… don’t say any more…”
If a man said that, it would be called nonsense, but when you all say it, it just hurts my feelings.
“It’s okay! I don’t look at Johann’s face anyway!”
“M-Me neither.”
Should he be grateful for this or not?
The more comfort he received, the more complicated his feelings became.
Maybe he should look into plastic surgery methods?
In the game, it was possible to customize using items, so it might be possible to replace this face that looked like it could bury someone alive while smiling.
Of course, since that existed as a game allowance, the probability of it not existing was quite high…
But with screenshot devices existing as proper items, he couldn’t be certain it didn’t exist.
Perhaps it could be used for other purposes, so it would be good to obtain it if possible.
Johann added “Blessing of the Shadow Goddess” to the mental notepad in his head.
“It’s fine, I don’t really mind.”
Thinking he could replace it made him feel better.
The Blessing of the Shadow Goddess wasn’t an easy item to obtain, but it wasn’t impossible either.
Though it had other uses, so it might be a bit wasteful to use just for changing his face…
“S-So, you’re coming to the market with us, right?”
“I’ll go, so stop shaking me.”
Johann wasn’t sure how the conversation had flowed in that direction, but he had business at the market anyway, so he had to go.
He wanted to buy materials worth researching and check if events that could be experienced in the market in the game actually appeared in reality.
Most were bittersweet romance-related events, but there was one sub-quest and event where you could obtain a decent item, so he should try it.
To survive, he would have to scrape together every element of the game he remembered.
“Millia. You said tomorrow, right?”
“Yes!”
“…If we’re going tomorrow, don’t you need to finish studying today?”
“Ah.”
At Johann’s words, Millia visibly panicked.
“That’s right. We still have mountains of studying left to do.”
At Karina’s following declaration, Millia made a dejected face.
Was studying not fun?
Looking at the thick books on the corner table, it was understandable.
But she had to endure the path she had chosen.
Johann patted Millia’s back to encourage her.
“It’s the Academy you wanted to attend. Grit your teeth and bear it.”
“That’s so mean!”
“M-Miss Millia is going to learn in the Academy too…?”
“Yes! In the Liberal Arts Department!”
Millia didn’t have outstanding magical talent, nor did she show aptitude for warrior skills or alchemy, so it was the only department she could enter.
But the Liberal Arts Department wasn’t something to be looked down upon.
After all, it was where imperial bureaucrats were produced.
It was also possible to change majors, like in a university.
There were even cases where professors would occasionally pick up students who showed talent in other fields, so with luck, she might be able to transfer to another department.
“If you had faith, you could have attended the Theology Department with me… It’s a shame.”
Karina genuinely looked regretful.
Well, it was understandable given the big difference between having someone to talk comfortably with and not.
People who could converse easily with Karina were extremely rare.
“It’s okay! They said we can take one class from another department! We can take one class together!”
“Theology classes might be difficult, are you sure?”
“Are they hard?”
“Yes, very.”
“Hmm… I still want to!”
“Then I’ll add basic theology theory to the subjects we’ll study from today.”
“R-Really?”
You’re being crushed by the calamity you brought upon yourself, Millia.
Johann roughly patted Millia’s head as she looked at Karina with a shocked expression.
Laughter erupted from everyone present.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
What should he prepare to go to the market?
Money?
Of course.
He wasn’t a beggar, and he wasn’t going there to beg.
Self-defense equipment?
It would be good to have, but it was a shame to carry a shovel on his back.
Since he could use the crafting skill without tools, it would be better to make do with that.
Lastly…
“Try this on too!”
Johann picked up the clothes Millia handed him and turned them this way and that.
A suit… but with this build and appearance, wouldn’t he be mistaken for a hitman if he wore it?
He wasn’t sure if the concept of a hitman existed here, but…
“Is my clothing really that important?”
“If we leave Johann alone, you’ll just wear whatever! Don’t you think black pants and a red jacket is weird even for you?”
…Is that so?
Isn’t it fine to just wear whatever?
Seeming to have read his expression, Millia puffed up her cheeks and picked up one of the items of clothing spread out on the bed, holding it up to him.
“If you don’t want to wear that outfit, at least wear this!”
“It’s a gambeson.”
Johann received what looked like something he’d seen in the military and examined it.
It looked exactly like a padded jacket.
It felt strange to actually wear something he’d only seen in movies or dramas.
This might be a sort of fantasy for some, but fantasies remain fantasies because they don’t come true.
Still, it was something he could wear fairly casually, so he might as well.
Johann put on the medieval-style padded jacket over his shirt.
It seemed ridiculous to wear this in such warm weather, but it was an efficient item with at least minimal protective capabilities.
He thought about buying a few more to rotate later.
If he lined the inside with sturdy leather, he could even gain some defense.
“How is it?”
“Hmm… you look like a thug!”
The assessment hadn’t changed.
At this point, he might look like that no matter what he wore.
After all, the finishing touch of fashion was the face.
Unless he completely replaced his face, there was no point in worrying about fashion or anything else.
“Elisa is probably waiting too, so let’s get going.”
“Hmm… Okay!”
Millia answered as if she had no choice, then opened the door and left with quick steps.
Johann followed her out the door.
Outside, Elisa was leaning against the wall, fidgeting with her hands.
She seemed more dressed up than usual.
“Elisa. I’m sorry. It took longer than I expected.”
“It’s, it’s okay…”
Perhaps because she was wearing makeup, unlike usual, Elisa appeared much less gloomy than her normal self.
If she dressed like this all the time, she might even make some friends.
By the way, seeing her constantly glancing at him and fidgeting with her hands, it seemed she was sending strong signals asking for a compliment.
Johann briefly fell into a quandary about what to say, but decided to respond plainly without unnecessary flourishes.
“You look pretty.”
“…Ehehe… Thank you.”
Elisa’s face turned as red as a rose.
It might be inappropriate to say, but he thought she could probably enchant a few classmates with that face.
Her gloomy personality was still a problem, but that could be corrected with time somehow.
“What about me? What about me?”
Look at her complaining right away because he didn’t pay attention to her.
Johann roughly patted Millia’s head.
“You’re pretty too, so don’t worry.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Hehe.”
Just like yesterday, one side grabbed his sleeve while the other held his hand.
It seemed they had established their positions in just a day.
…Is this what it feels like to be a father taking care of children?
“Did we forget anything?”
“N-No…”
“Nope!”
“Then let’s depart.”
I hoped nothing would go wrong.
With that thought in mind, Johann took a step forward.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
