It was a terror that left a cold, wet stamp on the inside of his soul. Frightening.
Scary.
Horrifying.
—He remembered that moment with a dreadful clarity. The sudden snatching, the rough hauling, and the bumping carriage ride.
They had just finished the Foot-Tread Dance and taken their bath, and all the children were getting ready to leave together, that was when it happened. A man's hand clamped onto his arm with such a painful squeeze it felt like a vise, and he was dragged away.
Teacher Ribera had always told them—if a stranger ever tried to take them, they must scream as loud as they could.
But it was no good.
Not only was he grabbed, but Nico was also seized, and even though she was crying at the top of her lungs, the adults all around them seemed utterly deaf and blind to the whole messy affair.
"It's pointless... I cast Hiding Magic (Heiden) on you brats, didn't I?" The man had sneered. "Your figures can't be seen by anyone nearby... your voices can't be heard, either."
Later, when Big Brother Raid (Raid-kun) explained it, the man's name was Fred, and the spell cast upon them was the kind that made both their sight and sound utterly disappear to the world around them.
They were then marched right over to a fellow covered in gaudy, strange decorations.
"Did you bring them?" the gaudy man asked, his voice like grinding gravel.
"Just two little beasts for now... Should I release the Hiding Magic for a moment, Baron?"
It turned out that even this man couldn't see them either.
"No, don't bother. If those runts start wailing, I might just give them a good kick. They're valuable merchandise, I don't want them damaged. Listen up, you brats. Stay quiet until we're out of town. If you want to spend the rest of your lives as ghosts nobody can ever see—then feel free to run away, won't you?"
He learned later that the magic would have worn off once they were a certain distance from the caster. That man had simply lied, trying to scare them into submission.
But back then—he truly believed it.
Pop and Nico were shoved, quite forcefully, into the carriage. Nico
He prayed to the Goddess that he and Nico could at least stay together and squeezed her hand with all the strength a tiny boy could manage.
—Then a sound arrived.
Voices that he knew, surrounding the carriage. Uncle Jan was talking to those two ruffians.
It sounded like Big Brother Raid was there, too. And then, Uncle Jan peered right into the carriage.
Teacher Ribera always said that Uncle Jan was the strongest person in this whole town. Yet—even the powerful Guild Leader couldn't see them.
He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead into his knees.
He refused to give up hope, not just yet. He couldn't bear to know for sure that no one could possibly sense them.
—Then another voice.
Someone had climbed into the carriage itself.
"Hmm, well, it certainly seems empty in here. Is this some kind of Presence Concealment...?"
The voice wasn't one of the criminals, but he still couldn't bring himself to look up. He was done with hoping.
"No—that can't be right... Ah."
He mumbled something, but it didn't matter, did it? They wouldn't know they were here.
He didn't want to feel any flicker of expectation. Please, just get out of here, don't let me think there's a chance of rescue—just as that thought flared up, he heard it.
"Ah, are you two Nico and Pop-kun? Everyone is so worried! Let's go home."
At those words, he snapped his head up, startled. He said his name?
Nico also looked up, her eyes glued to the speaker. That man was clearly looking right at them—
"Oh! The Man with the Birds and Fish and Eggs!?"
Shin-san...? The man who came to the orphanage two months ago with birds and fish, the one who gave them the Foot-Tread Dance work...
"You can see us!?" Pop shouted, his fear momentarily replaced by a dizzying shock.
Shin-san simply smiled, gently scooping up both him and Nico, holding them close as he carried them out of the carriage.
Big Brother Gil and Big Sister Luce were standing there, and there was Teacher Ribera, staring at them with a look of utter astonishment.
They could see him. Teacher Ribera, everyone—they finally knew they were there!
The moment his feet touched the ground, he and Nico bolted straight for the teacher.
"WAAAAAHHH!! We were so scared!" Pop wailed, burying his face in her skirt.
"We thought they were going to take us forever! WAAAAHHH!!" Nico screamed, clinging to her leg.
* * *
"..."
"What's wrong, Pop? Did you remember that scary thing again?" Teacher Ribera asked softly, stroking his hair.
Since that day, he had been sleeping in the same bed as Teacher Ribera, with Nico nestled right next to him.
"I'm okay, Teacher," he whispered.
She said nothing, only hugging him tighter, her embrace a fortress against the world.
* * *
—Three days after the kidnapping scare, in the Adventurer's Guild Hall.
I was sitting in the Guild Leader's office with the usual key members of our little cabal.
"Well, drat and double drat," Old Man Jan grumbled, his voice like a rusty hinge. "How are the little squirts doing?"
Big Sister Milia and Big Brother Raid answered his question, speaking in unison.
"Teacher Ribera says that not only Pop and Nico, but all the tiny little ones, too, have become incredibly clingy and spoiled," Milia informed him, her voice shaded with worry.
"Can't be helped, Boss. They went through a scare like that," Raid shrugged, his hands shoved into his pockets.
Emotional regression... a 'baby-backslide,' I mused. Terror is infectious, especially for small children.
"This one is my fault entirely. I should have warned the little ones about Hiding Magic. My foresight was too shallow," Uncle Jan admitted, his face screwed up in self-recrimination. He pinched the bridge of his nose, and the burden of his guilt was painfully clear to us all.
The younger man and woman exchanged uncomfortable glances, falling silent, obviously struggling to find the right words to comfort him.
"No, Uncle Jan," I began, making sure my tone was calm and considered. "It's a result, but I think—in hindsight—it may have been a good thing."
The three others in the room immediately turned their attention to me, their eyes wide with confusion.
"Even if they knew about Hiding Magic, attempting a simultaneous escape for both children would have been incredibly difficult. One of them might have slipped away, perhaps, but I doubt they would have chosen to abandon the other," I explained, letting the unspoken weight of their loyalty hang in the air.
Big Brother Raid and Big Sister Milia nodded in perfect, synchronized agreement, like two little bobble-head dolls.
"Furthermore, if their voices and figures were entirely unidentifiable to those around them—the kidnappers could have used violence and threats without any real consequence. By not foolishly resisting, they actually returned unharmed.
"Hmph..." The Guild Leader still looked troubled, not quite letting go of his self-pity.
"That's right, Old Man!" Raid insisted, stepping closer to his mentor.
"And Pop and Nico came back without any serious injuries, didn't they?" Milia chimed in, her voice earnest.
Uncle Jan sighed, a light exhalation that seemed to release a sliver of the pressure he felt. His expression softened ever so slightly.
"I feel a bit better now... Thank you, Shin. I owe you one."
Good, crisis averted, I thought, but before I could truly relax, a question was pitched right back at me.
"But still—Shin-san, how in the blazes did you see through the Concealment?" Raid wondered.
"Oof!" The sound caught in my throat. The two young people gawked at me, looking utterly bewildered. Ouch? It was a simple truth: only Uncle Jan knew about my 'Common Sense Barrier' ability, the one that prevents things outside my own reality from happening.
I shot a pleading glance to the elderly man, who, sensing my distress, slowly started to speak, stepping in like a seasoned actor.
"It was probably just a powerful bluff, I'd wager. Right, Shin?" He looked at me for confirmation. "Did the two of them suddenly become visible to you?"
"Y-yes, that's exactly right," I agreed, making sure to match his story and not give away any extra details.
"Shin simply spoke to them as if he could clearly see the two children. That must have rattled the caster, breaking his concentration," Uncle Jan surmised, nodding sagely. "Anyone who uses that kind of magic, like Raid or Milia, knows it has to be maintained. It's not like an attack spell you just FWOOMP! fire off and then forget about."
I piggybacked on his explanation to strengthen the story.
"Having the Guild Leader there must have also been a massive pressure. The one thing they'd dread most is being caught and interrogated by Uncle Jan, the man with Truth-Seeing (See-Through) magic."
"Normally, I should have been the one to pull the bluff in the first place..." Uncle Jan was sinking back into his guilt, so the two younger people quickly rushed to his defense, like a pair of protective siblings counseling their stubborn father.
"Everyone was panicking, Old Man! It's okay!" Raid insisted.
"No one anticipated someone using Concealment-class magic for a simple kidnapping!" Milia added, her voice full of exasperation.
To pivot the conversation, I introduced a new topic. "Was that kind of magic really so rare?" I inquired, genuinely curious.
Raid and Milia snapped their heads around to face me, their faces animated once more.
"Rare? It's super-duper rare, that kind of thing!" Raid exclaimed.
"It's not a combat spell, no, but it's a genuine rarity, and anyone with it can expect Gold-Class treatment wherever they go," Milia confirmed, her eyes wide.
As I took that in, Uncle Jan joined in.
"It's perfect for extracting VIPs or moving someone secretly. In the Royal Capital, the nobles and big merchants would be fighting over a talent like that."
"If that's the case, why would they resort to a crime like kidnapping? They wouldn't be short on cash..." I wondered aloud.
The Guild Leader gave me a look of weary resignation. "Could be the boss's orders, but if the chance is there, people will take it.
That's how humans are, Shin. I've seen countless users of high-level magic ruin their own lives. Even that Bloody Axe Ogre, Glantz, did the same thing."
Recognizing the danger of a long, philosophical ramble, I steered the conversation back to the immediate crisis.
"Speaking of Glantz—he was executed instantly. What about this Baron and Fred fellow?"
Big Sister Milia and Big Brother Raid took the cue, picking up the thread.
"Since he was a noble, he was transferred to the Royal Capital this morning. He'll be severely interrogated there, I'm sure." Milia shuddered.
"Well, they did try to snatch kids, didn't they? Best-case scenario, they're forced into retirement, and a new heir takes over—worst-case, their entire house is dismantled, I'd bet," Raid conjectured.
So, their discovery meant a major consequence. It wasn't quite a 'severe punishment' by Earth standards, but it was something.
"The only silver lining is that this wasn't an organized crime ring. There might be some minor connections lurking in the background, but that's it," the Guild Leader stated.
Everyone seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief at that, and the meeting concluded. The Guild Leader stayed behind to handle the mountain of paperwork, while the two young people and I stepped out.
We were strolling down the corridor, having reached the staircase, when I paused and spoke to them.
"By the way, Uncle Jan must have handled the interrogation here, right? I'm amazed those two are still in one piece."
Locke Baron and Fred had definitely provoked the Guild Leader's furious temper. The young man and woman exchanged knowing glances.
"The Old Man knows how to hold back, you know," Raid chuckled, his shoulders shaking.
"At the very worst, he probably only cracked a few ribs, no more than that, I'm sure," Milia murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Ah, only a few cracked ribs. Well, that's a relief, then, I thought, a shiver running down my spine.
Regardless—it was clear the children had been marked.
I absolutely had to come up with a real, solid plan of action. For now, I headed back to the inn for my day's work.
* * *
Two weeks later—
I was at the Count's Purveyor's shop, engaged in a discussion with Carman-san.
"My word, this town is simply wonderful! I feel completely rejuvenated!" Carman-san crowed, a genuine, delighted smile on his plump face.
The journey to the Royal Capital from the Count's manor took about four days by carriage. From the town to the Count's manor, it was almost a full day.
Add the negotiation time in the Capital, and a single business trip could tie up half a month of his schedule. Of course, someone else handled the Count's daily business in his absence.
Carman-san, having just indulged in the Foot-Tread Massage, was truly beaming.
"Ah, yes, I heard about the trouble. It sounds like quite the ordeal," he acknowledged, his eyes clouding slightly.
I needed to gather and share information about the attempted kidnapping. It was vital for the 'Countermeasure' I was devising.
"It was, but thankfully, we stopped it. Speaking of which, does the Count have any younger children?" I steered the topic, pulling out the small package I'd brought.
"?? His older children have already moved to the Royal Capital, but he does have a young Lord and a young Lady here... But why do you ask, Shin-san?" Carman-san questioned, tilting his head.
I presented the bundle. "I plan to offer this as a tribute to the Count."
"This is—" Carman-san's gaze ping-ponged between the object on the table and my face. He finally focused on me, his eyes now sharp. "May I inquire about your true intention?"
"Of course. I've discussed this with the Guild Leader and the orphanage—."
We spent the next while deep in conversation, completely ignoring the planned business discussion. As I laid out the strategy, Carman-san's face became increasingly expressive.
"Hmm, hmm! I think that is a wonderfully brilliant idea! I shall offer my full, absolute cooperation!" he boomed, thumping the table with his open palm.
"Thank you," I replied, allowing a small measure of relief to surface on my face.
Carman-san, however, gave a slight, wry smile.
"No, no. For this matter, I feel compelled to make a small atonement."
"Atonement? Did something happen?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Carman-san scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Well, I must confess, I bear some of the responsibility for the Foot-Tread Dance rumor reaching the Royal Capital. I just couldn't stop telling all my contacts and business partners about how marvelous it was."
"Is it truly such a huge rumor in the Capital?"
"Indeed. Adventurers, merchants, and travelers passing through this town on their way to the Capital often spoke of it. It was a hot topic of conversation," he assured me.
If that was the case, its rise to fame was only a matter of time. Still, I thanked Carman-san again for taking responsibility.
"Very well, we will select the children. I leave the scheduling for the meeting with the Count to you."
"Understood! I will ensure the Foot-Tread Dance is defended at all costs!" he pledged fiercely, his eyes shining with conviction.
With that, we transitioned to the trade discussion. By the time I left the Purveyor's mansion, the sun was beginning to set.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later—
I was not at the inn but back at the Adventurer's Guild Hall. I needed to report that I had Carman-san's consent.
I was ushered into the Guild Leader's office, where Uncle Jan sat, waiting.
"How was it, Shin?" he grunted, leaning forward expectantly.
"It was fine. He agreed. Carman-san is quite fond of the Foot-Tread Dance himself, so that helped," I confirmed, nodding briefly.
He leaned back against the headrest of his chair, looking up at the ceiling, then turned his gaze back to me. "By the Gods, you really do think up the wildest things.
A complete reversal of thinking, that is. Well, I'll tell Raid or Milia to pass the word to the orphanage later."
"Please do."
—The tale now rewinds by a week or so.
With a kidnapping having occurred, everyone had gathered to re-strategize, but the impact of that Hiding Magic was heavy on everyone's minds.
"Teacher Ribera suggested we suspend the Foot-Tread Dance for a while," Luce murmured, her hands clasped tightly.
"Can't blame her. It's a vital source of income for the brats, but you can't put money above safety," the Guild Leader conceded, the atmosphere around him thick with resignation.
"We knew it was getting popular, but perhaps it got too famous," Raid muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"People are coming from nearby towns just for it. It was bringing a lot of money into town, but..." Milia's voice trailed off, weighing the pros and cons, her opinion cautious.
"Gil-kun, how is the orphanage faring now?" Uncle Jan asked the young adventurer.
"Those three are there all day, every day, so we'd get an immediate report if anything went wrong," Gil replied, scratching his head. He was clearly thinking he needed to prepare a special bonus for their dedication.
"Shin, I'll pay for the reward for those three later. Focus on the catering. What was that new thing called again?" the Guild Leader cut in, his eyes lighting up with the sudden thought of food.
At the mention of the new dish, everyone in the room suddenly grew animated.
"Ah, that stuff is the best... Truly, what did you even create?" Jan-san sighed, his tension easing with the thought of the treat.
"We could eat that all day... Shin-san is the sworn enemy of both my wallet and my waistline..." Milia grumbled, her stomach rumbling audibly, her face betraying her desire.
"Milia-san, you're drooling," Raid whispered, elbowing her gently.
"That's an unfair attack, Luce," Gil corrected, shaking his head.
The 'thing' they spoke of was Tempura
I wanted to make cutlets and fries, too, but those needed eggs, which I couldn't risk using until production was ramped up. Tempura, however, only needed wheat flour and water, so that would be the main dish for a while.
Don't people use eggs as a binding agent? you might wonder.
But ancient Edo-period Tempura was flour-only. The egg-bound version was the 'Silver Tempura,' a high-grade luxury item.
At any rate, the sheer destructive power of deep-fried food was simply magnificent. Be it potatoes, fish, or meat, the golden-crusted glory, when coupled with baked mayonnaise
(Authro Note: I made sure to instruct them not to dump the used oil down the sewer to protect the ecosystem. Instead, it must be soaked into a huge pile of weeds and burned.)
"Right, let's get back to it—we'll scale back the Foot-Tread Dance for a while, agreed?" Uncle Jan steered them back, his expression serious once more.
Everyone had resigned themselves to the necessity of it—but I voiced my opposition.
"That might be dangerous."
"Hmm?" The Guild Leader uttered a short noise, and everyone, startled, focused their attention on me.
"When something is restricted, people only become more fixated on it. For example, the food I offer in this town has had its price driven up beyond my intention. That's because the demand has increased beyond the supply, inflating the value..." I reasoned.
My insight caused the others to fall into contemplation.
"That's true, though... If that food were ever banned, for example..." Raid trailed off, his eyes glazing over with the thought.
"I'd kill for it and take it," Milia muttered, her pupils dilating.
The men frantically tried to bring the women back to reality.
"W-wait, Milia!" Raid yelped.
"Luce! It's a hypothetical! Just a hypothetical!" Gil insisted.
Watching the two frantic couples, Uncle Jan nodded thoughtfully. "Shin might be right.
Over-restricting it might be counterproductive. But what, then, is the solution?"
He folded his arms, lost in thought, and everyone else followed suit.
"I have a proposal," I offered, a thin smile on my face. "Why not—make it even more famous?"
Every eye in the room widened, staring at me in utter incomprehension. I quickly elaborated.
"Right now, it's only done here, and few outside this town know the details. But we should make it a huge, widespread piece of news. We need to involve as many powerful people as possible. If the starting price is known to be a single copper coin, the risk of a high-stakes kidnapping will be severely reduced," I reasoned, watching the two young couples now bobbing their heads like puppets, unable to do anything but agree.
"Hmm. I agree it's a sound, rational approach," the most senior man in the room conceded. "But how exactly do we go about it? We need to ensure the children's safety at the same time."
"That's where the strategy comes in. The children's safety is paramount. So—first, we drag the Count into this," I declared, sealing the first phase of the plan.
—And that was the discussion that led to my meeting with Carman-san.
"Speaking of which, who did you decide to send?" I asked the Guild Leader.
"...I figured the victims themselves would be the most effective. We'll send those two kids," he stated, his face grim but resolute.
I simply nodded, giving my full, silent agreement to his decision.
* * *
One week later—
I was at the Count's mansion with Carman-san. This was my second visit.
"Ah, ah! Shin-dono! It's been too long! Thanks to you, I've been making an absolute fortune!" the Count greeted me, his smile stiff. Our first contact had been awful, so the awkwardness lingered.
"Today, I have a special tribute for the Count. May I borrow your kitchen?" I asked respectfully.
"! Another new dish, you say!?" The Count's eyes gleamed with avarice; he was already making a killing on the dried fish and the mayonnaise.
"Yes, Count. This is Shin-san's latest creation. It's a favorite with children, so I urge you to share it with your young Lord and Lady," Carman-san interjected smoothly.
"Understood. Use whatever you need. Please, instruct my chefs while you're at it."
First, conquer the stomach, I reminded myself. A full belly leads to a good mood and a lowered guard.
When the fresh Tempura was carried from the kitchen to the reception room, the Count, his wife, and two small children were already seated.
"Ooooh, smells so good!" shrieked a girl around ten years old with short, golden hair, bouncing in her seat—Lady Fam.
"Sister Fam, that is not proper behavior," scolded her brother, Clot, whose golden hair was the same color, though he seemed a full head taller. Whether she looked young or he was just unnaturally calm, I couldn't say.
Their mother, a woman in her late twenties, watched them with a soft smile. "Fam, listen to Clot.
I know it smells delicious, though." She didn't look old enough to be the mother of the older children in the Capital—perhaps a second or third wife. Her face was slender, and her long hair flowed like wind, contrasting with her children's cottony soft locks.
I arranged the freshly made Tempura on the table, setting out the baked mayonnaise and salt. The nobles immediately began to devour it.
"The 'Mayonnaise' is excellent, but the salt is simple and clean. The flavor changes so much just with the seasoning," the Count commented, savoring each bite.
"Can plain flour really turn into this? The crisp texture is so fresh," the Countess marveled.
(Author Note: I requested the reception room instead of the formal dining hall so they would treat it as a light meal, not a formal course.)
"Yummy! The meat is yummy! The fish is yummy!" Fam crowed, her cheeks stuffed.
"Sister... But it's surprisingly delicious, I agree. I didn't even like potatoes, but this..." Clot admitted, his voice full of genuine wonder.
It's a hit with the children, that's key. Though the young Lord seems to have his hands full with his sister, I chuckled inwardly.
I'd prepared just one piece of chicken, fish, and potato for each person, but they were gone in a flash. It had to be a small amount; I didn't want them too full for the next stage of the plan.
"Haaah... I accept your tribute. This will fetch a high price in the Royal Capital, I expect—" the Count began.
"No, that was a token of thanks for the oil you provided. Shin-san's real tribute is yet to come," Carman-san cut in, explaining the shift.
I took the floor.
"Nico-chan, Pop-kun. Please come in."
At my signal, the two children entered the room and bowed politely. They had traveled in the Purveyor's carriage and were already dressed in their new outfits—the girl in the Miko¹ maiden's dress, and the boy in the Shinto priest's Kanzu² garment.
Their mother was the first to react to the adorable sight of the children in their costumes.
"Oh, my! Aren't they simply darling!?" she squealed, pressing her hands to her mouth.
"Daddy, I want that! I want to wear that! Please, for my whole life, buy that for me!" Fam declared, her focus instantly shifting to the clothes.
I pulled out a second bag and presented it to the noble family. "In my home village, these are what children wear during the festival to thank the gods. I brought a matching pair—this one is for the young Lord, Clot, and this is for the young Lady, Fam. I would be honored if you would try them on."
Before I could even finish my polite speech, Fam bolted from her seat.
"I'll go change right now!" she cried, snatching the costume and running out.
The Count and Countess watched her go, a cloud of awkwardness settling over the room.
"Ha, ha, ha... She is quite an energetic daughter," I laughed faintly.
"Y-yes... Perhaps I have indulged her a bit too much," the Count muttered, rubbing his temple.
I offered the boy's costume to Clot, who approached with a hesitant step. "T-thank you very much.
I will go change now, too," he said politely. Unlike his sister, he was well-mannered, but he clearly wanted to rush off and try it on, too.
When the two returned in their costumes, the reaction of the parents was even more dramatic.
"Oh, my word, my children are angels!" the Count exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Clot, Fam! We absolutely must take a trip to the Royal Capital with you wearing those!" the Countess gushed, clapping her hands.
The Count's usual stern composure was completely gone—only a doting father and mother, utterly entranced by their children's 'cosplay,' remained.
"And now, I ask if we might have them perform the traditional act from my village's festival," I asked, maintaining a respectful posture.
"It's an act dedicated to the gods from Shin-san's homeland... The Count must experience it firsthand," Carman-san added, his voice low and serious.
Teaming up with Carman-san, we escorted them to another room where everything was already prepared. The Count, completely softened and in a good mood, didn't offer much resistance, especially after Carman-san and Nico demonstrated the Foot-Tread Massage first.
Then, Nico and Pop carefully taught Fam and Clot, showing them exactly where to step. When the noble children finally mounted their respective parents, the Count and Countess were transformed.
"Oh, ah... W-what in the world is this feeling..." the Count gasped, his voice strained.
"Oh, Clot, honey... Harder, please. Just a little harder, oh..." the Countess moaned, her eyes fluttering shut.
Ten minutes later, the Count and Countess, having fully enjoyed their children's foot-tread massage, were full of boundless praise.
"Haaah, I feel so light... I think I could fly!" the Countess sighed, stretching languidly.
"My lower back feels so much better... I've been rejuvenated by ten years. I thought being stepped on by commoners was beneath me, but I must retract that sentiment," the Count admitted, a look of profound relief on his face.
I quickly seized the moment, offering a diplomatic answer.
"Count, your initial concern was completely valid. That's why I have a proposition—a request, actually."
I bowed deeply again and called Pop and Nico forward. "The truth is, these two were nearly kidnapped recently."
The Countess immediately covered her mouth with both hands, gasping. "Oh, my word..."
"I heard the rumors... So those were the children," the Count frowned, his pleasure now replaced with solemnity.
I dramatically straightened up, making my plea. "If the representatives of the Foot-Tread Dance for this territory were your children, Fam and Clot—nothing could be a stronger protection for the orphans.
I humbly ask that you use the prestige of the Count House to shield these children. I have already discussed this with the Guild Leader."
Count Doorn pretended to ponder the request—though I knew he was already mentally calculating the value of indebting the 'Giant Boar Killer,' a Gold-Class Adventurer. I pushed one more incentive forward.
"The reason the kidnapping happened was likely because the Foot-Tread Dance, though rumored in the Royal Capital, was still too vague in its origins. However, the Royal Capital is full of high-ranking individuals, perhaps even royalty, who are unsuitable for the common people to touch. As you said, Count, it's difficult for commoners to serve them. Therefore, I propose that Lady Fam and Lord Clot, as the official representatives of the Foot-Tread Dance, perform a demonstration in the Royal Capital."
He knew this Foot-Tread Dance was a thriving business in town.
Having his own children perform it in the Capital for nobles and wealthy merchants—perhaps even the royal family—was an unparalleled method to expand his influence and connections. And he had experienced the effect on his own body.
"Hmm... Very well. Since you have pressed me so, Shin-dono—I cannot refuse. Fam, Clot. You will be the official representatives of the Foot-Tread Dance. The responsibility is great," the father commanded.
The daughter and son bowed to their father, and I, along with Carman-san, exchanged a silent, triumphant fist-pump of satisfaction—the objective had been achieved.
Summary:
The story opens with Pop and Nico's intense, raw fear from the abduction attempt, which even the powerful Guild Leader Jan-san couldn't stop due to the rare Hiding Magic.
Shin, the protagonist with Earth-knowledge, rescues the kids and then devises a brilliant, multi-layered strategy to secure their future. Realizing that simple restriction will only increase the demand for the popular Foot-Tread Dance, Shin decides to 'go big.' He leverages his new Earth-delicacy, golden Tempura, to win over the Count's family, then cunningly uses the Count's pride and the safety of the orphans to convince him to make his own children, Fam and Clot, the official, high-status 'representatives.' This moves the business out of the dangerous commoner class and into the protection of the nobility, ensuring the orphans' safety and the business's survival.
Character Insight:
Shin is shown to be completely ruthless when it comes to the safety of the children, prioritizing a complex, manipulative political strategy (using the Count's vanity and his children's adoration of the costumes) over simple, ineffective caution. Jan-san's guilt highlights his deep paternal bond with the orphans, making his acceptance of Shin's risky plan a sign of trust. The Count is revealed to be easily swayed by pleasure (Tempura and massage) and paternal pride (his children as 'angels' and 'representatives').
Behind the Scene:
The chapter's pivot from the dark trauma of the abduction to the light, strategic comedy of the Count's presentation is a deliberate narrative choice, using the 'violent caloric euphoria' of Tempura as the emotional catalyst for the Count to drop his guard. The whole plan relies on the simple human desire for novelty (costumes) and pleasure (food/massage) to overcome class prejudice and political caution.
T/L:
¹ Miko: A traditional shrine maiden from Shinto belief. The clothing is a white top and a bright red skirt (Hakama). It is associated with purity and ritual. ↩
² Kanzu: Likely a simplified version of the traditional Shinto 'Kannushi' or priest outfit. The costume is often a ceremonial robe, signifying a special, almost sacred role. ↩
Notes:
• Ribera - The director of the local orphanage, deeply invested in the children's well-being. She is a middle aged woman.
• Nico - Young, small orphan girl, initially tear-stained, wearing simple clothes, later a Shinto-style priest outfit. Abducted with Pop, her fear manifests as exhaustion and silence, eventually clinging to her caretaker.
• Raid - A young, 'normie' adventurer who gets saddled with the job of escorting Shin. He is carefree and friendly but is instantly put on edge by Jandou's ominous warning. He has short black hair, sun-tanned skin, and wears casual adventure gear.
• Pop - Young, small orphan boy, initially tear-stained, wearing simple clothes, later a Shinto-style priest outfit. Abducted with Nico, emotionally regressed, seeks constant comfort from Ribera-sensei.
• Jan - The sturdy branch manager of the local Adventurer's Guild. He is short, has muscular build, and gray hair.
• Shin - An average, middle-aged Japanese salaryman who prides himself on his common sense and average abilities. He was forcibly sent to a fantasy world by a God and granted the 'ability' to prevent anything 'outside his common sense' from occurring in his presence.
• Luce - A Bronze-class adventurer, also an orphanage graduate and very close friend of Gil. She specializes in Fire Magic, but can only 'manifest' flames without projection. She has flaxen hair tied in a braid at the back, short stature.
• Gil - A Bronze-class adventurer and recent graduate of the local orphanage. He specializes in Earth Magic (Stone Bullet), but its initial power is weak. He and Luce are close, almost like siblings. He has short hair, slender build, and looks unhealthy.
• Milia - The young receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild. She has short hair, tanuki-face like (cute), wears round glasses, and business attire.
• Glantz - A notorious bandit known as 'Glantz the Bloody Axe Ogre' for his massive weapon and brute-force approach. He has muscular build, bushy beard and unkempt hair. He carries a massive, 3-meter axe, and Wears bandit gear.
• Locke - A minor noble (Baron) arrived in town to illegally procure children, viewing them as profitable commodities due to rumors of their healing magic. He sports slicked-back, shaved hair, wears overly expensive gold-trimmed clothing, and carries an entitled, arrogant expression.
• Carman - The Count's official merchant in the town. A professional, elderly man who quickly recognized the unexpected value of Shin's processed fish.
• Fam - Short, golden-blonde hair, energetic and bright-eyed, initially in fine clothing, later wearing a 'maiden' costume. The young, spoiled daughter of the Count, she immediately demands Shin’s presented clothes and food, her reaction central to Shin’s plan.
• Clot - Short, golden-blonde hair, with a more reserved demeanor, initially in fine clothing, later wearing a 'priest' costume. The young son of the Count, he is Fam’s foil—polite, proper, and sensibly excited about the new things, contrasting his sister’s spoilage.