Chapter 82 ~ Saving Shirley’s Father
<span style="font-weight:400">Nightfall.
<span style="font-weight:400">The sound of crackling fire and the subtle smell of burning oak wood filled the quiet study.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sitting on an ornate chair behind a beautiful mahogany desk, decorated by gold, a brown haired man in his mid-forties, dressed in robes, leaned back to his cushioned chair.
<span style="font-weight:400">A cold night’s breeze entered through the window behind him, rustling some of the papers thatid on his desk as he read through one of them he had held in his right hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">The cold air from the opened window and the crackling fire he had in his firece a few distance away from him gave him the perfect, cozy room temperature for his study.
<span style="font-weight:400">It wasfortable enough that he could easily sleep in his chair.
<span style="font-weight:400">The meetings he had earlier during the day in the base for an important military operation that would be conducted in a few days took much of his energy. But even then, he still took time out of his rest to review some of the reports from his personal business without dozing off.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although he was an active military personnel, Joseph Fte was also a businessman and owner of a fairly sessful tradingpany. It wasn’t rare for a military officer, especially one as sessful as himself with multiple military achievements and influence, to create his own business.
<span style="font-weight:400">It would also serve as insurance for his family…
<span style="font-weight:400">They’re living in a time of war. War that their homnd began. And as a soldier, he wouldn’t know if his next mission would be hisst or not.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thus, to make sure that his family would live peacefully without the need to worry about their financial situation in his absence, Joseph worked hard, even to the dead of night. All for his beautiful wife, their precious daughter, and their future.
<span style="font-weight:400">The brown-haired father let out a sigh and rested his head back onto his chair as he let his hand fall down to hisp. He massaged the bridge of his nose with his other hand and took a deep breath, before exhaling.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What a long day… I should return to bed. Lest “Mrs. Fte” would scold me once again for not spending enough time with her.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A tired chuckle escaped his lips, but the thought of his wife yelling at him because she missed him brought a smile to his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">He ced the document in his hand back onto the table along with the rest, reminding himself to clean them up the first thing tomorrow morning, and stood up.
<span style="font-weight:400">But just then, two figures dressed in ck appeared out of thin air before him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What the- H-How did you get in here?! Who are yo-”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fall down a flight of stairs enough to cause serious but repairable injury to your right arm and leg. Then, retire from the army and focus on your business.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The voice… was it that of a young man or an adult man, he wasn’t sure… But it hardly mattered. All that mattered was that he’d follow the orders given to him by thepelling voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Yes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">His hands fall limp on his side and took the steps towards the door of his study. He opened it and walked out into the dimly lit hallway in a daze, leaving the two mysterious figures behind.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...That was a bit extreme, but effective.”
<span style="font-weight:400">One of the figures, Yuuji, nced towards the other slightly shorter figure.
<span style="font-weight:400">There was guilt in the other figure’s eyes, Lelouch’s, as well as a helpless frown.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll be counting on you to help him if he goes overboard.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course. I’m no Aika, but I can give him first aid just in case with magic.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji waved his hand and their figures disappeared once again before they followed after Shirley’s father.
<span style="font-weight:400">The two followed him to the main staircase that led up to the second floor, which they’re in, from the main hall and entrance of their luxurious mansion residence.
<span style="font-weight:400">Joseph stood at the top of the staircase, and fell forward to his side, using his right arm to protect his body, and continued tumbling down until he reached the bottom.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Aaaarggghh!!!!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">A loud scream of pain and groans reverberated through the echoing halls of his marble estate as he curled up at the bottom of the staircase, clutching onto his right arm and legs.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Is he okay?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch whispered, watching the scene with a steel mask to hide his regret.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...He broke an arm and a leg, as youmand. Other than that, just a few heavy bruises and several small bruises here and there. He’ll be fine with the proper treatment.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji assessed easily enough with his Elemental Sight. Shirley’s father didn’t suffer from any longsting or disabling injuries. With proper treatment, he would be fine in a few months.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just then, they heard doors banging open, footsteps, and female cries from down the hall.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Honey? Honey, are you okay?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Papa?! What’s going on? Are you okay?!”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">They heard the panicked voice of a mature woman and a familiar voice of their ssmate rapidly growing louder and louder, and their footsteps ever approaching.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Let’s go.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch didn’t… couldn’t look at Shirley’s figure right now and quickly asked Yuuji to bring him away.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The two began to float up with Yuuji’s magic, and left as silently as they arrived through the window of Joseph’s study.
<span style="font-weight:400">Silence fell as they flew through the night sky, invisible. It wasn’t until Yuuji spoke first that the silence disappeared.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...It’s the only way he could be pardoned for not joining an important military operation in a few days. You did what you have to, Lelouch. You’ve saved him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Thank you for helping me, Yuuji.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Anytime.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Worries for his friend filled Yuuji’s heart.
<span style="font-weight:400">They were sessful in their mission. They saved Shirley’s father from being involved in the operations in Narita, where the ck Knights and Japanese Liberation Forces would be shing against Cornelia’s soldiers. But there was no relief nor happiness. Only bitterness and regret.
<span style="font-weight:400">And for Lelouch, it would stay with him for quite a while.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Come have some tea and rx in my home. Text your sister that you’ll be returningte. I’ll send you backter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch nced towards Yuuji for the first time since they entered the Fte’s home residence, and looked back down onto the rapidly changing scenery of the ground they’re flying through.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure…”
<span style="font-weight:400">--------------------------------X--------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">The rustle of leaves, owls’ hoots, and all manner of sounds that could be heard from within the forest at night filled the surroundings of the warmly lit, traditional european-styled mega mansion in the outer parts of the city.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji and Lelouch touched down onto the courtyard of the mansion without as much of a sound. Their invisibility dispelled the moment their feet touched the ground.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is… impressive…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch gazed upon the mansion before him and couldn’t help but be impressed by its architecture, beauty, and sheer size.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It seems I’ve underestimated your wealth by quite a bit.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He nced towards Yuuji, who smiled helplessly at his words.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Most of it was thanks to the group chat. But thank you. I’ve also been steadily growing my portfolio.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji gestured towards the mansion with his hand, and after Lelouch nodded, the two began walking through the paved stone path that had beenid across the courtyard leading to the entrance.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see. Now that I’ve seen this, I’m tempted to make you ck Knight’s financial advisor instead of a knightmare pilot. You might be able to deal more damage to them that way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...You’re overestimating me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Am I now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji fell silent as Lelouch looked at him from the side with a slight smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">At first, it sounded impossible. But after ruminating for a bit… it didn’t seem unachievable.
<span style="font-weight:400">Perhaps… Perhaps if he used the MCGX SuperComputer, his stock market analysis software, and put his mind into it, he might be able to cause chaos in the market and plunge Britannia’s economy into a crisis.
<span style="font-weight:400">While it might not cause long-term damage if he only did it for a while, it’d still shock the “Great Britannian Empire” enough to make them pull back some of their military campaigns around the world.
<span style="font-weight:400">But… the impact would be too devastating to the people.
<span style="font-weight:400">He’d put innocents out of their jobs, their homes, and their livelihood well before the government decided to pull out their forces from other countries due to logistical and economical reasons.
<span style="font-weight:400">The ramifications towards the innocents would be much worse than to their true enemy.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t worry. I understand the consequences. And I won’t make you do that either.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... You sounded serious.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji looked at Lelouch with a deadpan face as the “masked martyr”ughed at his reaction.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s because I was. At least the part where I want to make you ck Knight’s financial officer. We’ll need funding to operate, and you’ll be able to steal money from those undeserving Britannian nobles.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji held his chin and considered Lelouch’s proposition.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That might be doable.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And, you can also help me manage the investments I got from the group chat in the two Sakuradite Miningpanies.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. I can help you with that too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you. That settles it then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as they finished their conversation, the two finally arrived in front of the entrance.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wee to our home. At least, our home in <i><span style="font-weight:400">this</i><span style="font-weight:400"> world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji held the gold-gilded door knob and pushed open to massive, mahogany double doors, letting Lelouch enter.
<span style="font-weight:400">And once again, he was weed by an awe-inspiring sight of luxury and grandiose.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tatsuya, Satoru-san. We’re back.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, Yuuji-kun. Wee back.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji announced his return and Satoru’s voice responded back, weing him. And soon, the lithe,nky figure of a man in his mid thirties appeared with a smile on his slightly gaunt face.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, Lelouch-kun. You came as well? We thought you would be going home to your sister.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please excuse me. I did n on going home, but Yuuji seeded in persuading me toe and visit for a bit.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, I see. Then, wee. Let’se in and take a seat.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The two entered, led into the living room by Satoru.
<span style="font-weight:400">Upon arriving, they saw Tatsuya sitting on one of the couches with his phone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wee back, Yuuji. And Lelouch, wee to our residence. Well, it mostly belonged to Yuuji…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tatsuya turned his attention from his phone to his friends and smiled softly before looking at Yuuji, who waved his hand casually.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t mind the small details. It’s our home. Ah, I''ll prepare some tea. Lelouch, you can just make yourself at home.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch sat down on one of the couches, joining Tatsuya and Satoru, while Yuuji went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.
<span style="font-weight:400">He leaned his back onto the soft, cushioned couch and let out a sigh.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Considering your and Yuuji’s expressions, I assume you seeded?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Yes. Yes we did.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Silence fell between Tatsuya and Satoru when they noticed the expression Lelouch had on his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...You did well, Lelouch-kun. You saved him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes… But, it doesn’t make it easier.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No choice is easy for something like this. But at least, Fte-san will still have her father.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch nodded at Tatsuya’s words offort.
<span style="font-weight:400">He had steeled himself for this moment, and he understood that it was necessary so Shirley’s father won’t be in Narita during their operation. But… using such a forceful method of hurting the father of the girl he loved and causing her and her family pain still weighed heavily in his conscience.
<span style="font-weight:400">Silence fell once again. But soon, Yuuji returned holding a tray of freshly brewed pots of tea and four beautiful, marble tea cups for them. And this time, he was not wearing a ne.
<span style="font-weight:400">Instead, there was a beautiful, white and rainbow-colored slime on his head and a shiny, jet-ck slime with glittering stars that twinkle within it on his shoulder.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji ced the tray down onto the marble coffee table and ced the still steaming cup of tea in front of everyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you for the tea, Yuuji.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No worries.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji waved his hand dismissively and sat down on the couch to join them. He picked up his cup of tea, took a sip, and let out a sigh of satisfaction as the fragrant liquid warmed his body instantly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are those the Yin Yang slimes you got from the gacha?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch noticed the two, tennis-ball sized slimes on his head and shoulder, and couldn’t help but asked. They looked extremely beautiful and interesting, nothing like the stereotypical slime they’ve seen or heard about from mainstream media.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah yes. Let me introduce you to them. This cute white one is Alice…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji picked up Alice and ced her on the table, and she immediately jumped up and down, greeting her beloved master’s friends cheerfully.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And this adorable ck one is Aria.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Then, Yuuji picked up Aria from his shoulder and ced her beside Alice on the table. She rolled forward before rolling back to her original position, bowing politely towards the two.
<span style="font-weight:400">And as the two slimes rested on the table,Satoru, Lelouch, and Tatsuya couldn’t help but stare at them in awe.
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-They’re so cute…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“They’re… amazing.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I saw their description, but I didn’t expect them to be this intelligent…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji smiled proudly, as if he was the one beingplimented, and rubbed the two girls with his fingers, making them nuzzle back to his hands.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mm. They are super smart and cute girls. My heart always melts whenever I’m with them.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The swirl of colors in Alice became more prominent on the white surface of her body, with pink being the most prominent, as she stuck herself to Yuuji’s hands and rubbed her body all over him.
<span style="font-weight:400">While the twinkling stars in Aria’s body became brighter and brighter and she also leaned her whole body to Yuuji’s hand and rubbed herself on him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch, Tatsuya, and Satoru watched the two slimes act all maidenly towards Yuuji, and they couldn’t help but think of the same thing…
<i><span style="font-weight:400">They could evolve and gain new powers… Perhaps even a humanoid form at some point.</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji will have two girls to add to his harem once again…</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">And they seem to love him… a bit too much.</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">They could already imagine it… Two beautiful women hugging his arms tightly in absolute love; One with long, white hair with colorful streaks, and another with glossy, jet-ck hair.
<span style="font-weight:400">If they could indeed gain a humanoid form… then they’d definitely see such a thing happen in the future.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, did you find anything, Tatsuya?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The three snapped out of their daze and shifted their gazes from the two slimes, who were still chummily nuzzled to Yuuji’s hands, towards Yuuji.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, yes. I found several items that could help us conceal or move our headquarters. But there are two that were the most promising while still within our budget.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tatsuya put his phone on the table for everyone to see and began going through the items one by one.
<span style="font-weight:400">“The first one is a scroll of invisibility. It would allow us to make one object invisible. If we use this, then you’d only need to focus on lifting it up and moving it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tatsuya turned towards Yuuji as he contemted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm… But would it be able to render the entire headquarters, including Excalibur and the other technology stored in there, invisible?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Perhaps if the group chat considers it all “one object”. But there’s no guarantee…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Let’s see the other one first.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tatsuya nodded and scrolled down the shop to show the second item.
<span style="font-weight:400">“The second one is a teleportation scroll. As the name suggests, it’d allow us to transport one person or object to another ce within the same world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Teleportation… I still can’t believe such a thing exists at the tip of our fingertips… But then again, the three of you were transported here from different worlds.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch shook his head with a small smile. Hismon sense about the world slowly dwindled as he spend more and more time with his otherworldly friends.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is promising. But the price is quite steep for a one time use…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuujimented.
<span style="font-weight:400">He had received 3000 gcp from the weing gift and 5000 gcp from his sessful mission in Tatsuya’s world. After deducting the cost of his Fertility control skill, he has 6000 gcp in his name now.
<span style="font-weight:400">And the price of the teleportation scroll was 3000 gcp.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was as expensive as a 10+1x gacha pull that has the potential to give him items such as the MCGX SuperComputer, the Yin Yang Slimes, Proficiencies, and riches that could easily make him one of the richest men in the world.
<span style="font-weight:400">For it to be used for a one time use item… felt like a waste.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes it is… That is why, I believe it’d be better to consider this as ast resort.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji, Satoru, and Lelouch nodded at Tatsuya’s words.
<span style="font-weight:400">“These are all the promising ones… at least, that were within our budget. Most that would make it easy for us to transport massive objects easily cost more that 15.000 gcp.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see… Well, if the location it’s in is insecure and we need to relocate it, let’s just hope that I can store the headquarters into my inventory when I try it tomorrow.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders helplessly, and the other three sighed with the same sentiment.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. I’ll send you the location of the “Amaterasu” by tonight.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Thank you.”