Chapter 41: A future promise and imminent danger.
Continuing where we left off....
Ritsuka's perspective....
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With BB going ahead of us we arrived at the administrative district where we saw a huge amount of people.
💭Wow... It doesn't even look like the city was about to be destroyed by Cocolia's wish. Speaking of which, I wonder if Bronya's mother is still in coma?
Comparing the amount of people we saw on our first visit, it's pretty clear that Belobog's situation is improving a lot.
March 7:Wow! There are people everywhere. Are you sure we're in Belobog? Now it's time to check out the main event. The food! Let's go guys!
March said this and started running towards the food winners.
Ritsuka: And there she goes.....
Stelle:Come on you lazy bum, you'll end up eating dust!
Stelle said this as she ran after March and I watched the two of them acting like energetic children and I felt like the babysitting duties for the two of them fell on me.
💭 I think I now know how Kadoc feels when I get too enthusiastic...
Ritsuka:I better keep an eye on Stelle or she'll go after the trash cans again.
She said this as she followed the girls who were enjoying the festival atmosphere. Obviously, as March wanted, we took the opportunity to eat the food they were offering and talked to some people who recognized us and so on.
Obviously, as I feared, Stella went after the trash cans and started flirting with them again.
Ritsuka: Are you kidding me?
March 7: I wonder what's going on in her head that makes her so obsessed with trash cans? I was joking about her being a human raccoon, but now I'm starting to believe it.
Stelle:Trash can, sorry for making you wait for my return, let me make up for the days I was away to prove what you have inside you.
Trash can: Wait! Stelle-san... Kya!
Stelle starts to caress the trash can and jump her entire body into the trash can.
The weirdest thing about all this is that for some reason I can hear the trash can groaning and Stelle laughing in the process.
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(A/N: For those who forgot, only Ritsuka can synchronize with Stelle's madness. After all, he also has a screw loose in his head, he just knows how to use a good mask to hide it.)
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💭What the hell is going on?! How can a trash can moan?!
Ritsuka: Hey. Is it just me or the trash can talking...
March 7:Ritsuka, my dear friend, I know you're a little crazy, but please don't go to the dark side of the force! Stay in the light!
March 7 said this dramatically, implying that I've lost my sanity like what's happening with Stelle.
I don't need to say much that after Stelle "attacked" several trash cans I had no choice but to take her to a hotel to give her a bath.
Yes, you read that right. Since Stelle was stinking so much, it wasn't possible for us to continue participating in the festival with Stelle smelling like trash.
Obviously Stelle didn't make it easy and she didn't want to take a bath, so I had to solve this problem by force.
It would be embarrassing to be in the bathroom with a girl, but due to the circumstances I wasn't in the least bit in the mood to entertain the idea of doing something in the bathroom with Stelle.
Luckily the hotel bathroom had a bathtub so all I had to do was just throw the raccoon girl into the bathtub and the situation would be resolved.
Stelle:Let me go, Ritsuka, you monster! How dare you interfere with our genuine love?!
Ritsuka:Interfere, my ass! I don't know what your mother Kafka put in your head to make you have such an attraction to trash cans! I swear if I see her again I'll have a little chat with her.
Stella:She's not my mother!
Ritsuka:Yes she is! She's the one who made you and put the responsibility of taking care of you on my shoulders! If I had known the work you would cause I would have refused the offer!
I say this while being irritated by the madness that Stelle is forcing me to do in order to have some sanity left.
As a form of resistance, Stelle starts to scratch my face since it is only wearing a towel on its body.
And no, I didn't take her clothes off, it was March who did that, who couldn't stand Stelle's "perfume" anymore.
I ignored the irritating pain of Stelle's nails and simply threw her body into the bathtub, which even made a loud "splash".
Stelle:Damn! Now how am I going to be presentable for the trash cans.
Ritsuka: *sigh* You know what? I don't care anymore. I'm going to burn those trash cans once and for all because if I don't, I'm going to go crazy.
I say this as I get out of the bathtub and I hear Stelle's scream of fury.
Stelle:Noooooooooooooo!!!!! You traitor!!!! I swear I'm going to get my revenge for this!!!!
Hearing this, a sadistic smile appears on my face as I hear Stelle's furious words, in addition to an excellent amount of mana that I received due to Stelle's feelings of hatred.
Fou:Fou,fou.... (Special translation:These two deserve each other.)
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(A/N: Remember that the Avengers' passive ability is that they absorb negative feelings in addition to attracting hatred from others just by being close. This is quite powerful in the JJK universe if you stop to think about it.)
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Ritsuka: Good. Good. Let your hatred flow within you.
I say this taking pleasure in Stelle's suffering, which honestly is something that is not in my nature, but since I am an Avenger, it is no surprise that I end up being influenced by the nature of the class sometimes.
After that, Stelle's "perfume" was removed and we went back to enjoying the festival.
March 7: Phew... Who would have thought that just taking a walk would be so tiring?
Ritsuka: I think it's time for us to meet Bronya. After all, she must be waiting for us.
March 7: You're right Ritsuka, but if I'm not mistaken Topaz is probably with her, isn't she?
Ritsuka: It's likely, but I don't think we'll be in too much of a mess. Well, what are we waiting for? Time to say hi to Bronya.
I say that and we enter the Qlipoth Fortress and when we arrive at Bronya's office and as expected we find Jalena talking to Bronya.
Jalena: Oh, it looks like we have visitors!
Bronya: Ritsuka...
Bronya said my name in a relieved tone. I could see the look of affection coming from her and I felt the same way, but I managed to hide it.
Ritsuka: Hello, Bronya. And hello again to you, Topaz. I assume your conversation is over?
Jalena: You assumed right, Ritsuka. I already said what I wanted to say to her. Please consider my plans carefully, Supreme Guardian. If Jarilo-VI wants to rebuild connections with the rest of the galaxy, your credit record with the IPC will be of great importance.
Topaz said this to Bronya about the reason she was here in Jarilo-VI. I have a good idea of what is going on, but I need all the evidence on this case before I start acting.
💭Hmmm..... I guess I'll have to go to the Underworld and look for Seele to find out what's going on with the people there.
Bronya: You've made yourself clear, Miss Topaz. I'll require some time to consider my next course of action.
Topaz: Naturally. However, while you're deliberating, my colleagues will need to do some operations in Belobog. I hope your subjects in the Underworld will be... cooperative.
The moment I hear what Jalena said, I let out a sigh and shake my head.
💭 I just planned on going to the Underworld. Now I really have to go there. I'm sure Seele must not be happy with Jalena's "colleagues."
Jalena and the rest of the people notice my immediate reaction to Jalena's last words.
Jalena: Do you have anything to say, Ritsuka?
Jalena said this using the mask of professionalism that she wears almost every day.
Ritsuka: Nothing much really. I was just thinking about taking a walk in the city in a little while. You know how it is, Topaz. It's been a while since I've been to Belobog, so I want to make the most of the city.
I say this casually and see the variable reactions of March and Stelle. March is surprised, but soon becomes irritated and Stelle is impressed knowing what happens when I decide to take a "walk".
Jalena: Really? A simple walk?
Ritsuka: Of course. Unless you want to go with me? Then this will be a date between the two of us.
I say this with a silly smile on my face and for a moment I see Jalena's professional smile break for a moment showing a slight look of irritation.
💭Hehehe...
What I did serves as a subtle warning to Topaz that I'm going to start taking action to begin my plan.
Jalena: Hehehe... you say the most idiotic things, you know Ritsuka.
Jalena said this being passive aggressive, something that I don't doubt the other girls noticed.
Ritsuka: Heh. I know. I try my best to impress. I can teach you some tricks if you want?
I say this while continuing to joke with Jalena in front of the other girls. I know very well that Jalena wants to start an argument with me, but since she can't do that she just takes a deep breath to keep from exploding.
Jalena: Ok. I have to go. Duty calls.
With these clearly forced words coming from Jalena, she leaves Bronya's office while I have a slight smile on my face hiding a huge laugh inside.
💭Hehe. It always feels good to play with Jalena a little. Watching her mask break is always a treat to watch. Oh-oh I guess being an Avenger for so many months is turning me into a sadist!
March 7: Is everything okay, Bronya? I didn't know Mrs. Topaz was so... intense. She seemed nice when we first met her.
Bronya:Good to see you three again, welcome back to Belobog. I planned a special reception, but I had to deal with an unexpected guest. That lady you witnessed. She claims to represent the IPC....
💭 Well, she is certainly one of the IPC's representatives, and it's a good thing she's the only one here. The situation would get even more complicated if Aventurine decided to show up.
Bronya: There's no need to keep you in the dark. To tell you the truth, I have too much on my mind right now to think about the Solwarm Festival.
Ritsuka: Since I'm already familiar with Topaz's line of work, I have an idea of why she's here, but I'd like to hear what she told you.
Listening to my words, Bronya told us that 700 years ago, when Stellaron appeared on Jarilo-VI, the IPC members who were on the planet foresaw the imminent disaster and decided to leave in large numbers.
One of these members was an investor in the IPC. Before leaving, they sought out the Architects who did not want to leave the planet and wanted to fight to protect Jarilo-VI. The investors gave a huge amount of funds to support the Architects against the disaster.
The rest is history that I already know. Jalena found out about this debt and wants to do business with Bronya, and I know very well that taking money from IPC is dangerous depending on the circumstances, especially due to the delicate situation that Jarilo-VI is in at the moment.
March 7 was obviously not happy to learn that IPC is basically taking advantage of Jarilo-VI being at a low point to get something of interest.
Ritsuka: Bronya, just curious. How much does this debt owe? Do you have the contract?
Bronya: I have the contact on paper here. I can't believe how many numbers there are in this debt.
With the paper in my hands, I see the amount of how much Bronya has to pay and I'm impressed by the price of the debt.
💭Wow... That's enough to buy more than one planet... I think if I ask Asta for a favor she should be able to pay it, I think... I don't know if she'll have her family's permission.
Fou: Fou!
March 7: Ahhhhh!!!!
Stelle: One, two, three...
March screams in fright when she sees the price of the debt and Stelle is trying to count the number of "zeros" in the contract.
Bronya: Before you arrived, Topaz warned me that if the payment is late, the IPC will give her the authority to employ "strong measures".
💭In other words, Topaz will have the perfect excuse to take control of the planet by force. What wonderful news...
March 7:I had no idea they were like that. Here I was thinking the IPC came to rebuild Belobog, not to extort it!!!
It was at this moment that Stelle gave me an idea that I didn't expect to come out of her crazy mouth.
Stelle: We can order Ritsuka to kick the IPC and Topaz's asses and get them off the planet and back where they came from.
Stelle said this casually, not finding anything wrong with suggesting that I practically go to war against the IPC.
March 7/Bronya: .....
Fou: Fou! Fou! Fou! (Special translation: Wow, she barely knows the context and she immediately chooses violence? I like it. Approved! Brother, she's perfect for you! We just need Tiamat's permission.)
While March 7 and Bronya are silent due to shock, I have a thoughtful expression.
Ritsuka: That's a possible possibility.
March 7/Bronya: What?!
Ritsuka: Okay. I know what I said, but hear me out first. I know of terrible things that the IPC does to planets that don't obey its orders or when a planet goes into civil war, among other things. That's why I don't rule out Stella's idea. It's really possible that this problem will escalate to an extreme level and that it will be necessary for me to enter into conflict with Topaz.
I say this with a serious expression on my face.
Bronya: Are you willing to fight the IPC? Even though I don't have much information about them, I know that they are very powerful.
Ritsuka:Yes. To tell the truth, I can very well take out Topaz and her colleagues by force if I want, but that will happen if the situation reaches an extreme level, which I doubt will happen, but I won't be surprised if it happens.
I say this, leaving a tense atmosphere in Bronya's office. Seeing this, I decide to get back to the subject at hand.
Ritsuka: Anyway. Obviously Bronya needs help. So let's do the following. Stelle and March will go to the underworld to assess the situation and see if anything is wrong there. The IPC soldiers are not exactly "nice" people, so I have a feeling that there could be a conflict, especially knowing Seele.
March 7:But wouldn't it be a good idea to try to convince Topaz and enter into a negotiation?
Ritsuka:It's possible, but we need to have something very strong to convince her to drop this debt, something we don't have at the moment. Therefore, talking to Topaz is useless and you'll just be wasting time.
I say this while I'm standing with my arms crossed, giving instructions to March and Stella. I admit that I missed acting like a general leader. It reminds me of my days in Chaldea.
Stella: And what are you going to do?
Ritsuka:I have something to discuss with Bronya. When I'm done I'll join you in the underworld.
Bronya:!!!
Stelle: Really? Do you have something you need to talk to her about in private?
March 7:Curious...
March and Stelle stare at me, finding my intentions suspicious.
Ritsuka: *sigh* just go! I just need to talk to Bronya for a bit, that's all.
With that, March and Stelle leave Bronya's office, leaving me and her alone.
Bronya: Thanks for the help, Ritsuka. I didn't know what to do.
Ritsuka: Don't worry. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you?
I say this, leaving Bronya blushing and surprised at my words.
Fou: Fou! Kyu! (Special translation: Here we go again. I'm going for a walk. I don't want to watch this.)
Fou jumps off my shoulder and leaves the office, heading to who knows where.
Bronya:Ritsuka! I'm still at work.
Ritsuka:That didn't stop you from kissing me in this exact spot.
I say this, catching Bronya by surprise again. Bronya gets irritated with embarrassment to the point that she gets up from her chair to give weak punches to my torso.
Seeing this cute attitude, I can't help but laugh a little.
Ritsuka:I see that you picked up some of Seele's habits. Hehe.
After throwing all her embarrassment at me, Bronya puts her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.
Bronya:I missed you, you know? Sometimes when work was tiring me, I would think about you. Until I realized that talking to you via text message isn't enough.
Bronya said this being completely honest with her feelings to the point that it made me blush with embarrassment at how direct she is being.
💭Wow, she really lets go of all the breaks when we're alone.... I admit that this is refreshing.
Ritsuka:I know. I feel the same way. I wanted to take advantage of the festival moment to go on a date, but this problem with IPC got in the way.
💭Another date on my to-do list. Thank goodness I didn't get a message from Robin about her date. Because if I did, the situation will get complicated very quickly.
Bronya: Really? But I don't know if I'll be able to, after all, I'm the Supreme Guardian now...
Ritsuka: Since when will that stop you? Be selfish a little, Bronya. I know you're the ruler of Belobog, but you also deserve to have some moments of happiness.
I say this with a smile on my face and see Bronya blushing, but soon I see a pretty smile appear on her face.
Bronya: I would love that....
Ritsuka:...
Seeing her smile, I decided to take advantage of the moment and be bold. I lightly place my hands on her chin and make her look at me.
Then I take advantage of this and kiss her as revenge for her doing that to me the last time I was here.
Bronya:!!!
I see Bronya's look of surprise, who immediately froze for a few seconds until the moment I was going to separate from her, Bronya realizing my intention grabs the sides of my jacket tightly, not letting me back away.
(A/N: Remembering for those who forgot that Ritsuka is wearing Kevin's clothes from Honkai Gakuen.)
💭Huh? Okay then.
Recovering from my surprise I grab Bronya's waist, this made her increase the intensity of the kiss and I think she just lost it at that moment.
The reason for this is that Bronya starts walking backwards pulling me in the process she stops pulling me the moment she gets to her table, but she doesn't stop pulling me to get closer to her.
This ends up transforming a simple kiss into a kiss full of passion and a lot of pent-up tension because Bronya's hands start exploring my body, more precisely, she's running her hands over my chest.
I can be a little dense sometimes, but even I know that if this continues, someone won't be able to leave the office very well, and that person won't be me.
💭 I hate having to do this...
Before I ended the passionate session, I decided to be opportunistic again by holding her legs and rear end to make Bronya sit on the table, making a loud noise the moment I let her go.
Bronya: Oh!
I did this for two reasons: the first was to feel her body a little since she was doing the same to me, and the second was to take a break from what we were doing.
💭 I liked what I felt, that's for sure.
Ritsuka: Bronya. As much as I would love to continue, we have things to do, don't we?
I say this, taking Bronya out of her trance and she blushes with embarrassment as she realizes what she was doing.
Bronya: Right. I let myself get carried away for a moment...
Bronya said this, running her hand through her hair, signaling that she is still embarrassed about what she did.
💭 Honestly. I thought she was going to eat me alive! If I hadn't stopped her, the rest of Belobog would probably know what we were going to do! Remember, Ritsuka, the shyest are the most dangerous, remember Caster Artoria and Mash.
Ritsuka: Heh. No problem. We can continue this on our date when all this is over. Deal?
Bronya: Deal. Hehehe. Once again I'm one step ahead of Seele.
Bronya said this, catching me by surprise and it ends up making me curious.
Ritsuka: Being one step ahead of Seele? Are you two competing?
Bronya: Yes. Since Seele is very proud and stubborn, she ended up falling behind, she probably won't even have the courage to kiss you if she continues to be dishonest.
The moment Bronya said this I went completely silent. I kind of had my suspicions about Seele, but after that I no longer have any doubts.
💭Wait a minute. Seele is a high-level tsundere and if she knows about me and Bronya...
Ritsuka: She knows about us?
Bronya: Yes. If I'm not mistaken, she ended up seeing what we did when you were leaving.
The moment Bronya made this revelation, an immense feeling of imminent danger covered my entire body and I began to fear going to the underworld.
💭 If Seele saw Bronya kissing me and she likes me, that could mean one thing...
Ritsuka: I'm really screwed.
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To be continued...
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A/N: I'm really looking forward to the new arc of Amphoreus. A lot of ideas are popping into my head just by watching the trailers and I'm sure we're going to enter the underworld of Castorice.
In other words, once again Ritsuka will enter a "realm of the dead". Seriously, the guy has entered so many realms of the dead from so many mythologies that he probably has a passport for each area.
The situation gets even worse if the theories that OC4 will go through Dantes Inferno. In other words, the boy will now literally go to hell, and he'll end up meeting Lucifer-ah! Sorry. I meant "Actually Satan".
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