Grimoire x Reverse ~Reincarnated Demon Romance Tale~ Chapter 4

Since my pace was pretty slow, once I got out of the tower it was pitch dark.

But well, thinking about the previous fight, it was too easy and I couldn’t honestly call it one. According to my memory the middle boss is certainly stronger than the boss of the tower, but I didn’t think there was enough of a difference that he could be defeated in one blow. Demon tears shouldn’t be useful to improve attack power, but it should increase level by one or two.

Still, did I become like this because of that fragmented debris-like stone from that time?

“Well, I’m grateful to have become strong but it is troubling that this item doesn’t exist in Grimoire Lancer.”

Grimoire Lancer is a trilogy of I, II, and III, but it is all based in the same world…that I remember. True to its name, the protagonist is a librarian wielding a magic spear. Since the Kamiko of light protagonist in the hero party certainly died in the first game, the newly selected Kamiko of light in II by the Scholar country became the second protagonist.

A guy who was a close friend of the sequel’s protagonist was to become the third hero, as the series continued to develop and expand. For game III, the scale continued to increase from II over time.

So, according to ‘my’ memory, it is plain that this is the world of Grimoire Lancer II and I am the middle boss. Most of the elements I’ve viewed of this world match. But what if, the world possibly s.h.i.+fted a little…Or perhaps this world came first, and the development team received strange radio waves, resulting in the making of Grimoire Lancer? How suspicious.

Well, whatever. “Does such a thing even matter?”

In any case, it’s important to survive first.

“…What to do.”

Now, the item dropped by the tower boss was in my hand. Fixed drop from Gaius “key of the underground empire (orange).” For the hero to proceed with the story, it is essential to collect the seven colored keys in order to enter the underground empire for the first time. It is the so-called “rare item.” It cannot be sold or discarded. (TL: rare item is literally translated as “important thing(s)” but looking it up a bit I was able to get its game term translation)

“Even if I headed towards the hero, is that one of my choices?” (「主人公に会いに行くっていうのも、選択肢の一つに入れておこうか」)

Stowing the key away in a fas.h.i.+onable pocket, I suddenly look up at the sky. (TL: Engrish ‘fa.s.shon,’ otherwise I’d go for something else) A view rarely seen in the city, the whole night sky was filled with stars.

“Oou…” Unintentionally, I leaked a sigh of admiration at the splendid clean night sky. I think among them as one who is lost.

“I, what is my name…” So, only my own name, I could not remember at all.

It was not a good feeling to be called demon, demon, but more than that I felt the gaping loneliness, as if my chest was vacant after twenty years of life had just disappeared. I finally admitted that I had died, and abandoned my attachment to my previous life. Of course, there is the desire to insert an apology to my father and mother and friends who are not here. But, the damage to what has been lost is too great.

“No, This isn’t like me.” I may not be able to recover my name, so it is useless to go on with such thoughts.

“For the time being I can’t go to any kind of village, I’ll have to find somewhere else to sleep.”

I had become stronger thanks to the fragment, so I probably wouldn’t die as long as I wasn’t attacked. Though I am strong now and won’t die so easily, that j.a.panese jerk killed me like socks packed with Styrofoam. (TL: 死ぬほど強いから死なないってどっちだよてめー日本語この野郎、靴下に発泡スチロール詰めんぞ。something about packing Styrofoam in socks. I tried. T-T)

Around the tower, a dim, eerie forest completely surrounds the whole area. Perhaps because I am a demon, I do not feel fearful. Finding a suitable tree, I jump. The ability of this body easily landed on the thick branches, though perhaps it was just the variety of demon I am. Anyway, my first problem should be the demon tear.

“Will the demon tears…cause problems afterwards?”

The purpose of the Demon Tears was to correct magical defense and repel all magic that causes an abnormal state, making it a lethal weapon for demons. However, it is a rare monster drop from demons and can only be used a certain number of times, so it cannot be casually used as a disposable. It wouldn’t be funny to come face to face with another demon and be annihilated because of this condition. And, considering the time of effect has worn off immediately upon defeating the tower boss, it seems the condition in this world for “single use for combat” has not changed. As such, hunting 200 or more in just one day is stupid.

Wait, no, rather than the demon tears, my first priority should be my parameters.

The Demon race is inherently weak in magical defense. Awfully weak. So, I need something else to overcome this weakness. This must be taken care of first, by all means. While living, I don’t want to be bossed around like the demon “me” before whose consciousness was crushed by magic. That’s why I want something to guard against magic.

Leaning against the tree trunk, I used the branch as subst.i.tute for a bed. “Alright, all set.”

Sleeping like the people of the forest, looking outward from being in a high place is not bad. That reminds me, since the Habuil tower is here, that probably means this is the far East island of j.a.ppon, right? (TL: He calls this place ジャポネ instead of ‘Nippon/Nihon,’ so to differentiate the name of the game’s country from our world’s ‘j.a.pan’ I chose ‘j.a.ppon’ so there wouldn’t be confusion of place. This won’t change unless a clearer connection comes later) I remembered the geography of this world. …I wonder suddenly about magical items, like some kind of bracelet. Lying around somewhere near here was a convenient item.

Hmmm…

—

Suddenly before my eyes there was a woman with soft white hair tinged in brown who was angry to the bone (なんか褐色で白い髪の、ボンキュッボンの姉ちゃんが目の前で怒っていた。). I don’t understand why.

“So, who’re you?” (MC)

“I was once a G.o.ddess!!” (G.o.ddess)

Where did we go? What is this s.p.a.ce? It is an unfamiliar place of white. It does not seem to be distorted s.p.a.ce-time used in order increase training. It seems to be a sanctuary that could be anywhere.

“I’ve told you this is my sanctuary!!” (G.o.ddess)

“Is that so? So, then who are you?” (MC)

“I’m supposed to be a G.o.ddess!! I’ve said so many times!!” (G.o.ddess)

The G.o.ddess who stamped the ground looked familiar. Like the G.o.ddess from Grimoire Lancer III.

…Oh, it was this G.o.ddess.

“It’s become difficult here because of you!” (G.o.ddess)

“I’m troubled that you say so.” (MC)

It seems the reason why my soul has come to the world of Grimoire Lancer is because of this former G.o.ddess I have met in this sanctuary. I want to ask why my soul was brought flying here. (いや俺の魂が何でそんなフライアウェイしてるのかこっちが聞きたいんだけど。)

“The Supreme G.o.d from your world sent you the corner of this world!? Do you not remember!?” (G.o.ddess)

So she says…but such a thing doesn’t seem to have happened. Though, ‘How interesting, a talented individual! Alright I’ll send you to my world!’…profusely said by a handsome G.o.d may have occurred.

“You have remembered clearly!!” (G.o.ddess)

“Huh, I think that was a dream.”

“This is also me talking to you in your dream! It is a privilege of the G.o.ds! That is what I am already doing! ( もう何てことしてくれんのよ！)” (G.o.ddess)

How troubling, now that you mention it. Which is why I ‘m unable to do it. (俺にどうすることもできなかったわけだし。)

“Because of you, my mana pump ruptured and pieces scattered all over the land!” (G.o.ddess)

“soku…What did you say?” (TL: He’s trying to say sokuto. ‘pump’ was in Engrish, and sokuto won’t MTL, though I a.s.sume it means something similar)

“So-ku-to! (そくとう or 喞筒) A pump, pump!” (G.o.ddess)

“Don’t use such difficult words. It looks stupid.” (MC)

“Don’t say that!? Anyway! Because your soul was brought here the mana pump burst!

Therefore the mysterious pearl piece was incorporated into a body which is harmful to mortals!” (G.o.ddess)

…Incorporated into the body? Oh, she means the debris-like stone fragment?

“You mean the thing that I found and already took in?” (MC)

Making a small circle about the size of a ping-pong ball with her fingers, the G.o.ddess began to shake her head vertically. What is this V system? (TL: my best guess is a signaling system, like the peace sign being V for victory, though I’m not exactly sure what she’s doing either. My impression is like when someone catholic crosses themself)

“That’s not it!! How much are you going to tease me until you are satisfied!? I mean seriously!?” You found one already!?” Brus.h.i.+ng aside her bangs, the G.o.ddess looked upwards. I don’t know if there is a heaven, but she seemed amazed. “Ah, seriously…! I’m amazed!! Is this a good thing!? When other living things take it in, the power absorbed drives it mad or kills it! Somehow you collected it without dying, so don’t run away and create a disaster! This is your fault!” (G.o.ddess)

“Well, I’m not devoting my soul to G.o.d.” (MC)

“Ah, you can’t oppose the G.o.d Tom!” (G.o.ddess)

“Oh, right, the name of the G.o.d was Tom.” (MC) *Pon* I’m convinced. This is a sign I guess. I remember that is what the people named this popular G.o.d.

“By the way, what happens to others who incorporate fragments, excluding me?” (MC)

“It depends on the tolerance of the biological organism, but… a strong monster will become outrageously powerful.” (G.o.ddess)

“Hooh.” (MC)

“I’m not kidding, in this case with your strength where the medium boss can be taken out in one shot, you have reached a point where you can fight with the Four Heavenly Demon Kings.” (G.o.ddess)

“So, I have become strong to the extent I can fight the final dungeon of the underground empire?” (MC)

“You can see why the scattered fragments are bad then, no?” (G.o.ddess)

I see -. By the way…the ruptured pump…is it alright?

“I can fix it, but the problem is spreading across the land by the minute. It’s getting dangerous so please gather them quickly.” (G.o.ddess)

“How many?” (MC)

“Please remember that including the one you found there are 15 mana fragments littered across the land. Now that you understand, gather them quickly!” (G.o.ddess)

“I still don’t understand how my body took in the fragment.” (MC)

“You are currently a spirit body! The tower in woods near where you are sleeping is equipped with a radar!! (あんたが寝てるあの塔の近くの森にもちゃんとレーダーついてますぅ) Idiot bald-y!” (G.o.ddess)

“Hey, I’m not bald!” I said so to the G.o.ddess. Ignoring the teeth and big horns, my black hair has grown bushy.

“Anyway! It is important to gather them quickly. Since you are a strong person, it’s good, but troublesome things will probably happen to make things difficult. When that happens you can use the ‘Warrior State.’ Try to avoid being reckless and wasteful with the stray fragments.” (G.o.ddess)

“Stray fragments, which stray fragments?” (MC) (TL: probably for when he collects more later)

“So noisy! Just collect them!” (G.o.ddess)

Although it’s not too bad, being a slave is rough- to do this for such a G.o.ddess-

“Urgh…I’ll collect them if you give me something good.” (MC)

“There seems to be a magic item or something somewhere around here that creates a stronger magical relations.h.i.+p? And don’t tell me to just make one.” (G.o.ddess)

“Can’t you make one?” (MC)

“Yeah, impossible. It’s troublesome, but the at this point in time the first sanctuary cannot interfere even a little in the lower bound. However, this is the reason why you were called from outside.” (G.o.ddess)

“G.o.ddess yoe-(女神よえー)” (MC)

“I’m sick of you! North of the island there is a hidden dungeon. Look for the [Master of Kinagais.h.i.+ (着流し)] hidden in the bas.e.m.e.nt.” (G.o.ddess)

“Oh, there was such a thing.” (MC)

Being a master (TL: or guru, if you prefer), the expectation is for an item with a j.a.panese atmosphere, a kimono of navy blue. The effect of the simple armor is to increase the power of magical defense…making it perfect for me.

“Oh, that reminds me, how many fragments should I be able to capture and absorb?” (MC)

“Well, if there is no upper limit then I want you to absorb all 15.” (G.o.ddess)

“And what is the Warrior State?” (MC)

The statue of a G.o.ddess seems to say that it is troublesome.

“…Please, for the time being just collect, because it is not going so well. Because some of the fragments are in the hidden dungeon.” (G.o.ddess)

Wait, this person! Reading a person’s mind is the lowest of the low!

“So you finally noticed. Well, good luck.” (G.o.ddess)

The Big-sister-type G.o.ddess waved as she gradually blurred and dissipated. But the ‘Warrior State?’ I will do my best and try not to be hateful.

“Oh, by the way.” (G.o.ddess)

N, cho, it’s probably already gone. Just disappear already.

“Best regards during your absorption of the second or more, because your recovery of memory will happen as painfully as possible.” (G.o.ddess)

!?…!?

Though I looked back again, for the second time my sight went pitch black.