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~Tamiko’s Perspective~
The bodies of the scorched beasts had steam rising from them,
“Noa… Noa…” (Tamiko)
In a faint voice, I called out to Noah, who was lying down.
Even the mighty Metro Beasts and Hakuou Maria collapsed in a devastating scene–only I was nearly unharmed.
“I’ll protect you…” (Noa)
Just before the “Conductor” released that flash of light, Noa covered me. She used herself as a shield to protect me.
No matter how much I called out to her, no matter how much I patted her cheek, she wouldn’t even move her closed eyes.
“I’ve become strong…! Stronger than the ‘Legendary Carbuncle’… I’ve become stronger so that I can protect everyone…” (Tamiko)
I put my cheek against Noa’s face. My tears, helplessly overflowing, soaked into my skin.
“I… I should have protected you…” (Tamiko)
I had to protect my beloved little sister instead of my partner who wasn’t here.
“I’m… so weak…” (Tamiko)
I was aware of it.
No matter how strong I became, no matter how stout I acted, no matter how much I raised my level,
“What is a… ‘Legendary Carbuncle’…” (Tamiko)
After all, I am a Carbuncle.
With this tiny body, short fangs can’t protect anything. Not the village, no one.
“…Abeshuu…” (Tamiko)
Without him by my side, I can’t do anything by myself.
I can’t say it’s a power that I sprouted on my own–that’s what Koyuki said.
I knew it too. I only grew stronger because of his help. I only felt I just got stronger.
“I can’t do anything…!” (Tamiko)
I was so helpless, so frustrated, so pathetic—I couldn’t stop crying.
“…fufu…” (Voice)
I lifted my head at the faint laughter.
“Noa, Noa!” (Tamiko)
Noa’s eyes are wide open. But those eyes were thin and ephemeral as if they were barely holding onto her consciousness.
“…don’t cry, Tamiko…” (Voice => Sparkle)
Tamiko. She said. Not “Sis”.
“…Sparkle, squeak…?” (Tamiko)
Another personality that resides within Noa. A young demon, the existence that I and others call Sparkle.
“Sparkle, get up, squeak! Let’s runaway together, squeak!” (Tamiko)
That “Conductor” was ready to attack again. There is no way to prevent it anymore, this time…
“…I’m sorry… this body is… it can’t move…” (Sparkle)
The tone in which they muttered this was not the familiar Noa’s, after all. It was the other person inside her speaking.
“…it’s okay… Tamiko is an amazing girl… You have a small body but still works harder than anyone else… Noa thinks so too…” (Sparkle)
Without a pause, Sparkle’s arm moved as if rubbing against the floor. They held out their hand in front of Tamiko.
“…’Legendary Carbuncle’, huh…? Fufu… I don’t know, but…” (Sparkle)
Threads sprouted from her fingertips.
“…Noa and I know… you too, know…” (Sparkle)
Sparkling silvery white, it forms a beautiful spherical shape like a pearl.
“–right……?” (Sparkle)
“…Sparkle…” (Tamiko)
“…you can do it… Tamiko…” (Sparkle)
“I am… I am…!” (Tamiko)
I stepped forward.
While biting into the hypha ball that was picked up from Sparkle’s fingertips.
While protecting Hakuou, facing the “Conductor” head-on.
“Pipsqueak… Run away–” (Maria)
The light in the hands of the “Conductor” had swelled up to the point where it seemed like it would explode at any moment.
“I am…” (Tamiko)
Still, I stayed.
Squeezing all the courage I have, stomping my feet firmly,
“I am… ‘Abeshuu’s Partner’, squeak!!” (Tamiko)
I shouted as hard as I could. I will be one.
~3rd Person Perspective~
[Thunder] was released.
A flash of light engulfed the only tiny animal standing in the way, and all those struggling like insects behind it, in a straight line.
“—–” (Conductor)
The “Conductor” who began to find joy in the absoluteness of its power, in the screams of the souls dying after being shot and burned,
“——!?” (Conductor)
It opened its eyes.
Certainly, the beam of lightning that should have pierced the target,
In front of a red wall, it stopped its movement.
It is said that the Fungal Skill [Spirit Ball] of the Demon Sparkle heals the ingested person’s wounds and restores their physical strength, while at the same time temporarily improving their physical abilities. This was the ability that Metro Church Founder Shoumon had touted as “the miraculous power” that brought the “Demon War” to an end.
However, its essence is slightly different.
[Spirit Ball] was not a simple enhancement of physical ability, but a temporary increase in level–or in other words, a timed, forced flowering of latent abilities.
The range of increase was 10 to 15. It was not a dramatic effect that doubled or even tripled the ability of the recipient, but it did allow the recipient to borrow the potential that they would have in the future.
Level 44—one of the possibilities that Tamiko, who had achieved outstanding growth in her race, might have further down the road.
It was the same power that Yukikaze, the hero known as the “Legendary Carbuncle,” alone had achieved.
A dust art that disperses red spores from the jewel on her forehead to form a wall of absolute defense. This is a secret technique that only the chosen carbuncle tribe can use, the strongest shield in the “Country of the Threadweavers”.
–[Endless Divide].
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!” (Tamiko)
Tamiko’s war cry.
Penetrating light and blocking light.
The two sparked and fought each other,
With a deafening explosion echoed,
The [Lightning] was extinguished.
At the same time, [Endless Divide] shattered into pieces like glass,
“Ah……” (Tamiko)
A beat later, the small animal suddenly fell down.
“……Impossible……” (Conductor A)
The moment the stunned “Conductor” was about to clasp its hands together again to finish the job,
“–It’s over, you f*cking bastard.” (Maria)
Their eyes met.
A huntress, clad in a hypha doll-like armor, was leaping overhead.
“–It’s beautiful. Isn’t it beautifully decorated?” (Maria)
“Yeah?” (Conductor A)
The [Axe Spear] that was swung down cut the “Conductor” in two.
Seeing that it fell into a puddle of blood and stopped moving,
“…………” (Maria)
Hakuou also collapsed.
She fused her immobile body with her puppets and forced it to move. The last blow with all her strength… it was her limit.
“… damn it…” (Maria)
She managed to raise her head and look at the Carbuncle lying on the floor. She too is exhausted and faints.
~Maria’s Perspective~
—I couldn’t help but get angry.
I had no idea what that last “thing” was. I had never seen such a Fungal Skill.
All I know is that I was saved by that thing.
(I am the one.) (Maria)
(Indebted to that furball.) (Maria)
I know I have to take those two and escape from here as soon as possible.
That’s probably half of what I can do. If I don’t, I won’t be able to forgive myself.
“……” (Maria)
But… my body won’t move. There is nothing but pain all over my body.
My eyelids are heavy, and I can’t do anything. I knew if I closed my eyes now—
“—a… ia…” (Voice)
A voice was ringing in my ears.
“…ria…” (Voice)
Like it was calling to me from much deeper in the cave.
“…Maria, wake up…!” (Voice)
A voice that sounded familiar, or maybe only a familiar memory.
“Sister!?” (Maria)
My body jumped up on its own.
“Why are you here!? Where have you been—” (Maria)
My eyes widen.
Beside my beloved sister Sou, behind her,
“Ah… let me introduce you, my master.” (Voice => Sou)
“Nice to meet you, her little sister.” (Satou)
A shark man was standing there.
A/N: It will be some time before the next update. I will do my best to come back as soon as possible. Next time, the booty hunter will be back.
Until then, please enjoy the manga. I’m having a lot of fun right now. I won’t say what it is, but it’s eh!
It is getting colder and colder. Please take care of yourselves.
T/N: I was crying the whole time I was translating this chapter. I’m too attached to this series. Ugh… I can’t wait for more raws.
T/N: If you like the series rate, review it and add it to your reading list on Novel Updates. You can also donate through Paypal or Ko-fi or subscribe to Lazy Translations. Thank you!
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