The Impersonating Daimaou Wants to be Hated (WN): Chapter 136

 

Chapter 136: What Lurks Behind the Request

“They requested me?”

 At the cafeteria on the first floor of the inn where Kuryuna-san was staying, we were discussing our future plans with tea and coffee in hand, when an unexpected request came to me.

"Yeah. Suddenly this morning. It seems that the official who came to tell me is under pressure from his boss. It seems that the request we received has already been entrusted to another clan."

"That'sーー"

 The guild's response was what I would normally call an injustice. Kuku-san, whose gaze sharpened, probably had the same opinion in mind as I did.

"What, what do you mean? Oh, and can I order some meat?"

"In the morning? Didn't you have breakfast at Atom's today as well?"

"When I smelled the food, I got hungry."

"Well, what you eat with your own money is your business. Do what you want."

"I see. Waitress~."

 Inua-san waved her hand to the waitress. Kuryuna-san's expression became stern, as if she was trying to tighten the relaxed mood.

“So, Atom, just to confirm what you said yesterday, you didn't fight with him when you met him, right?”

“Yes. I had a lot of conflicts with him when I was in the academy, though."

"If so, it has deep roots. Kouhai may have to leave the Kingdom of Light now."

"What in the world have you been talking about since a while ago?"

 Inua-san finished her order. I somehow looked away from the waitress's back.

"Aquim Bonvoul."

"Eh?"

"It's possible that he turned in this request to harass Atom."

 Inua-san's dog ears perked up at Kuku-san's words.

"How is that possible? The guild would be more neutral."

“As an organization grows, so does the number of troublesome things it has to deal with. No matter how neutral they claim to be, it would be difficult for a branch guild within the Kingdom of Light to ignore the orders of a man who is, if not the most powerful man in the Kingdom of Light."

“Then why don’t you just ignore it? Atom, don't do this.”

“Did you hear what I said? There are some pretty bigwigs involved. If we refuse, it's not just us, the whole clan will suffer."

“So what? What's the point of having a reputation if you're going to put Atom in harm's way?"

"Calm down, pet. The situation is not that simple."

 Inua-san, her ears perked up and her tail swaying, breathing roughly. Kuku-san stroked her head in a familiar manner.

"......I think I'll accept that request."

"Atom!?"

 Inua-san lifts her hips, and Kuku-san looks at me as if glaring at me. Kuryuna-san quietly put down the cup she was holding.

"I knew you would say that.... I understand. My husband... no, let's talk to the commander. If we have more people, we'll have a wider range of responses if something goes wrong."

"No, please allow me to take this request by myself."

"Why!?"

"If this is some kind of harassment from Aquim-kun, then you, our leader, should not be there. He, you know, likes women......"

 I don't think the old Aquim-kun would force to do something like that, or rather, he couldn't do it. But now he isーー

 Kuku-san snorted as if he were making fun of me.

“You have the guts to worry about me when you are just a kouhai. Don't worry about me, and if something happens to me, kouhai should take responsibility."

"Responsibility, there's no way I could do that."

 What are you going to do if you get irreparably hurt?

 I thought I had responded in a perfectly natural way, but for some reason, Kuku-san glared at me with an indescribable expression on her face, as if she were looking at someone who she couldn't understand.

 Kuryuna-san snorted like Kuku-san.

"I'm still a married woman, you know? Being treated lightly by a younger kid."

"I'm an adventurer too, so I'm prepared to take that kind of risk...... but I don't like the idea of being forced to do it in my first time. Alright, Atom. After this, let's have sex."

 Smack*! Kuku-san's fist fell on Inua-san's head.

"~ ~!? I-it hurts though?"

"Seducing a person's kouhai even though you're just a pet, cocky."

“You can't say that, if Kuku wants to do it with Atom, then why not just say so?”

"It looks like you need discipline."

"Do you want me to bite your hand?"

 Grrrr*!! The two growled and hit each other's foreheads.

"Jeez. What's the point of you two getting on each other's nerves over something like this? Anyway, we will accept this request together. This is my decision as the leader. You understand, Atom?"

"……I understand."

"Don't look at me like that. It doesn't mean he's involved yet."

"……Yes."

 Is that so? At the very least, the guild's response is unusual. Even if Aquim-kun is not really involved, optimism would be dangerous in any case.

"Now, I'm going to tell them that I will accept the request, but you should go here."

 What Kuryuna-san handed me was a summon from the guild. However, the place where I was summoned was not the guild.

“Is this the residence of the branch chief?"

“He says he has something important he can only tell you. Naturally, you two must not go with him."

"Eh~! Isn't it suspicious that Atom is the only one being summoned at this timing?"

"Indeed. But a man of Aquim Bonvoul's stature wouldn't go through all this trouble for a kouhai like you."

"That's right… no, as I said earlier, there is no guarantee that the Knight of Light is behind this request. Be careful not to be too suspicious and make enemies you don't want to make."

"……Yes."

 It's just as Kuryuna-san said. Too much suspicion can lead to hostility toward people who are not even my enemies. As long as it hasn't been confirmed that Aquim-kun is involved yet, no, even if it's confirmed, I don't have the option of ignoring the summon from the guild as long as I am a member of the clan. I may be an adventurer, but I am still an organized person.

"Then I'll go right away. Just to be sure, the three of you should stay together until you join the commander and the others."

"Yeah, you should be careful too."

"If it looks bad, run away. Don't worry, I'll provide for you even if you get fired as an adventurer."

“Kouhai, if something happens, I will make you and this pet my servants. You should be grateful."

"Ahaha. Thank you. Then, take care of yourselves."

 I left the three of them and headed for the branch chief's house. It would take a little while, but it was not far. I soon arrived at the house.

 It was a four-story stone building. I looked up at the house, which stood out from its surroundings, for a while, and then I knocked on the door of the branch chief's house.

"Excuse me. I'm Atom, I came here after receiving a summon....... excuse me?"

 No reply. Was he not at home?

 I repeat knocking just to be sure, but the result remains the same. I took out the paper and checked the text again.

"The date and time... are correct. If so..."

 Click*. Just when I heard a sound, the door opened on its own.

"? Excuse me."

 There was still no answer. I had no choice but to peek inside the house through the open door. I couldn't see any lights, and there was no presence of someone.

"...I don't like this."

 It was as if it was asking me to come in. My instincts as an adventurer are ringing alarm bells.

"I'd better come back.."

 I arrived five minutes before the appointment, but I was already five minutes over the appointed time. If I go tell this to the guild branch now, there will be no problem regarding the summon for the time being.

 Without touching the open front door, I turned back the way I came.

"Fufu. You're being careful."

"Wha!?"

 Immediately after, I was enveloped in light.

"Kuh, what is this?"

 I pulled out my sword and wrap myself in wind magic. I had been on the alert, ready to move no matter what, but I had no idea how easy it would be to lose the first move.

 Without knowing what was going on, the image of adventurers who had fallen into traps and died tragically flashed through my mind. The next momentーー

"Welcome, Atom-kun. Nice to meet you."

 A heavenly voice that no diva from all ages or countries could match, shattered the premonition of the end that had coldly enveloped me.

“Wha!? ……Eh?”

 The wind that was wrapped around me dissipated. Before I knew it, I was standing in a space filled with everything white.

"Nice to meet you. Do you know me?"

 A perfect beauty. Her white clothes accentuate the sanctity of her body, and her iridescent eyes radiate a supreme light that no jewelry can match. In front of me, the night sky, full of stars, took on a human form.

“F-Founder-sama!?”

 I rushed to my knees in front of the legendary being.

 My heart was pounding as I had never heard before. I had never imagined that there was a being who could overwhelm my mother with beauty.

"Please don't be so formal. I am sorry to have summoned you like this today."

"S-so, that summon..."

"Yes. I had help from many people, but I am the real sender."

"W-why did you go to such lengths for someone like me?"

 It is undoubtedly the presence of this being who has made Aquim-kun's power unshakable. If Founder-sama wanted to, she could do it without any assistance. Why on earth would such a being have to go through all this trouble to meet with me? The current situation was too inexplicable.

 At my question, Founder-sama sadly averted her face.

"I'm sorry. I can't explain everything. But please understand this. What I'm about to say is very important, and it's about the survival of the world."

"I-I understand. I'm sorry."

 My back naturally straightened. Founder-sama looked at me with rainbow-colored eyes that seemed to be made by collecting all the beauty in this world, and then she began to speak, somewhat reluctantly.

"Actually... Aquim-kun is currently missing for some reason."

"...Eh? A-Aquim-kun? But I met him the day before yesterday."

"Things happened after that. I can't explain it, but anyway, it's very bad that Aquim-kun is not here in the kingdom right now."

"That's... that's right."

 Now, Aquim-kun is the hero of this country. His presence gives people a sense of security that this country will be safe even if the Daimaou attacks, and the fact that a number of immigrants from other countries went to the Kingdom shows the tremendous influence he has. If word spread that Aquim-kun was missing, there was no telling what kind of situation it would cause.

"It seems that you have understood the seriousness of the matter."

"Yes. But why me?"

 I could understand if she consulted with his attendant, Elana, or one of the three families. But why did she call me, who had nothing to do with him? That was the only thing I could not understand.

“Actually, I want to ask you to do something that only you, Atom-kun, can do.”

"Only I can do? If it is a request from Founder-sama, of course I would like to accept it, but to be honest, I don't think such a job exists."

 Whether it's strength or skill, there are mountains of people who are better than me. I wonder if I can really do the job, putting aside those people.

"You seem to be worried. It's true that what I'm asking you to do now is not an ordinary task... Atom-kun, I'd like to ask you to be Aquim-kun's substitute."

"Substitute...? What does that mean... make me a knight of light?"

“No, that's not what I meant. Yep... that's right. Let's change you first for the sake of explanation. If you'll excuse me for a moment."

 Founder-sama snapped her fingers. Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation as if something was bent somewhere in my body.

"Yes. With this, Atom-kun has become the perfect Aquim-kun no matter how one look at you."

"???"

 What? What in the world is Founder-sama talking about? My open mouth did not let the question out in words. A strange sensation was preventing me from moving my body properly.

 Founder-sama took a mirror out of space.

“You don't need to be in a hurry, you will be able to move. Seeing is believing as far as the current situation is concerned. Please take a look."

 I don't understand what's going on, so I look into the mirror as I'm told. Of course, the one in the mirror was silver-haired, silver-eyedーー

"...Eh? It's Aquim-kun!? No... I'm Aquim-kun!?"

"That's right. I'm going to have Atom-kun pretend to be Aquim-kun for a while and live in Aquim-kun's mansion. Ah, of course, it is a secret that you are pretending to be Aquim-kun, even from the people in the mansion."

“W-why!?”

"It is understandable that you are confused. But this is necessary. I know this is hard for you, but please understand."

 No matter how many times I ask, I am always brushed off. Apparently, there really is a reason why she can't talk.

“…What would happen if they find out I'm Atom?”

"That's right. For the time being, at least 100 residents of the Kingdom of Light will die a tragic death."

"Wha!? I-I don't understand. How can that happen?"

"I can't explain. All I can do is give this to Atom-kun."

 Saying that, Founder-sama took out a rainbow-colored bracelet from space. The bracelet was lined with five jewels shining in purple.

"Um... what is this?"

"This is a bracelet with a certain special magic in it. If someone suspects that Atom-kun is not Aquim-kun, the magic in this bracelet will be activated and conveniently overwrite the perception of the person who suspected you. Incidentally, with a few exceptions, the bracelet cannot be recognized by anyone other than those who possess the same type of tool, so you will never be suspected of wearing this bracelet."

“…Is it a bracelet with dark magic in it? Then it is certainly possible to impersonate him."

 To be honest, it is a magic tool that does not fit the image of Founder-sama, but I guess everything depends on how it is used. If Aquim-kun comes back earlier, this might be able to fool them.

"However, if this purple crystals, which are the starting point of magic, is all broken, the bracelet will lose its effectiveness, so please be careful."

"Umm.... does that mean I can only deceive them five times?"

 I feel that it is too difficult to fool someone who lives with Aquim-kun in the mansion only five times.

"No, it depends on how seriously the other person is suspicious. If it's a little, the crystal won't break, and at most it will crack. Conversely, if the doubt is close to certainty, it will break easily, so be careful. You should be able to tell how much the other party is suspicious of you by looking at the brilliance of the crystal. Ah, and the crystal will restore in 24 hours, so please buy some time if you need to."

 The bracelet is handed over. I understand the situation. But there is a big problem with this job before it can be done. But should I tell the Founder-sama about it?

"...Um, I feel uncomfortable saying something like this to Founder-sama, but Aquim-kun has a relationship with women..."

"Yeah. That's right."

 Founder-sama smiled. Surprisingly, Founder-sama seems to be tolerant when it comes to sex.

“Yes. So, you see, if I were to impersonate Aquim-kun, I would have to have some reason to leave the house, or elseーー"

"Is there someone you want to hold?"

 In response to those words, the dignified and beautiful black-haired figureーー

"W-wrong! I'm not thinking about that!!"

 The worst. How could I think that, even if only for a moment? I should turn down this job after all.

"I'm sorry. I still don't have confidence, so please let me decline this job. I think there are other people who are more suitable to replace Aquim-kun."

 Suddenly, a scene came to mind when a man who I didn't know approached Elana with a proud face.

"...I-in the first place. If Founder-sama can change me, wouldn't it be better if it were a woman rather than a man?"

 For example...... yes! I don't want to cause any more trouble, but I'm sure Kuryuna-san will be able to handle this kind of situation well. Even though they don't know the facts, the people in the mansion would definitely prefer to be infiltrated by a person of the same sex.

"No, it has to be you, Atom-kun. I can't tell you, but I have my reasons."

"No, but, um, I'm not the kind of guy that Founder-sama thinks I am."

 I am confident that due to my very special parent and body, I am more tolerant of my sexual desires than others of the same age, but even so, I am not perfect. I couldn't give an easy answer, thinking about what would happen. And yetーー

"It's okay. I believe in Atom-kun."

 Saying that, Founder-sama smiled like an innocent maiden who knew nothing about people's ugliness. That smile was really beautiful, and I forgot about the situation and was simply fascinated.

"Then please do your best. If all the crystals break, it's game over, okay?"

"...Eh!? Ah! No, wait!"

"Aquim-senpai? What are you doing?"

"Eh!?"

 I turned around at the sound of a familiar voice. What was there wasーー

"L-Laura!? Why are you here!? No, this is..."

 Before I knew it, the white space had vanished and I was standing in a hallway with a red carpet.

"Aquim-kun's... mansion."

 Shit. Has it really started?

"Um~. Is something wrong?"

 Laura, dressed as a maid, asks me a question. Why is Laura here in the first place? I thought, and then I remembered that she was with Aquim-kun the other day. She probably works here.

 Laura in her maid's uniform, which I saw for the first time, was very attractive. Although she was inconspicuous in the shadow of Elana and Mina, Laura was actually quite popular among the boys. It was only natural, seeing as how she was both beautiful and cute now.

 The crystal on the bracelet glowed faintly. More than 100 people will die a tragic death. I remembered Founder-sama's words.

 Shit, shit, shit. There is no choice but to do it. I have to do it.

 There is no other choice. I decided to live out my life as an impersonator, and I mimicked my memory of Aquim-kun and lifted the corners of my mouth.

"Nothing."

 The purple crystal shone even brighter.