Atelier Tanaka

Book 5: Chapter 2 (8)

Dark Continent (2nd)

[Sophia-chans point-of-view]

Im hard at work in the office as usual today.

The large desk and comfortable leather chair available to me was a step up from standing at a counter keeping the books at my familys restaurant.

Hey, Miss Sophia, shouldnt he be back by now?

Y-Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

Gonzalez-san was with me.

I dont think hes in danger, but I still cant help but be worried.

Do you know where he went, Gonzalez-san?

We were both worried about Tanaka-san.

Its been a few days since anyone has seen him.

Its not uncommon for him to just take off suddenly and disappear for a day or two, but he usually leaves a note, so this time feels different.

I dont know for sure, but we ran into each other the day he left and he appeared to be looking for something. I gave him some information before he left which got me thinking.

Information?

Its nothing to worry about.

I wonder what it was about.

But I could cause trouble if I try sticking my nose into other peoples business. As a maid, Ive learned my place.

Its for the best if I dont push any further.

I think Tanaka-san would be safe no matter where he went.

I feel the same. Theres no need to worry about a guy like that. Hed be able to even make a decent life for himself on the Dark Continent, but with everything going on here, its strange for him to suddenly disappear. I wonder if it had anything to do with a woman.

I-I wonder.

I could certainly see Tanaka-san being tricked by a woman. Thats just another reason for Ester-sama to always be by his side.

I want those two to be together and will support them however I can.

Sophia-kun, are you there?

A voice I recognized as belonging to Neumann could be heard from outside the door.

Y-Yes! Come in!

Excuse me.

The door opened and Neumann entered.

Oh, I didnt know Gonzalez was here.

What? Am I in the way?

Neumann spoke to Gonzalez as he made his way toward the desk. Neumann is a tall and slender man that gives off an intellectual aura while Gonzalez is a rougher man that seems dependable, not to mention his muscular body.

I was seated at the desk with each of them on either side of me. It made me feel like a princess. Both were attractive in their own way and also cool. It made a certain feminine part of me ache when I thought of how I would someday be a bride.

Not at all.

It doesnt sound like that to me?

You never bully Sophia-kun like this.

Whos bullying?

Am I mistaken?

Trust me, youd know if I was bullying you.

Ah, is that so?

Despite the two of them meeting for the first time not long ago, theyve developed a good relationship. It might be due to them having a common acquaintance in Tanaka-san. They could even have inside jokes without realizing it.

Im starting to worry that Im going to be viewed as Tanaka-sans woman. Is it too late for me to change things? I havent seen Allen in a while and, now that I think about it, I havent met many single men lately.

There arent any around for that matter.

A woman my age needs to start looking.

this is more serious than I thought.

Im at that age where Ill be in trouble if I dont find a partner soon.

U-Um, was there something you needed?

You may have already heard from Gonzalez, but the Eastern District is just about ready. I wanted to discuss the supplies well need as we move forward and how exactly well go about paying for it all. This should cover everything you need to know.

Neumann-san read through a document concerning the current situation of Dragon City. I straightened up in my chair and listened intently. However, not long after he started, he was interrupted by a voice outside the door.

Ooooooooohohohoho! Sophia, its time for our tea!

Drill-sama.

The shrill laugh of Drill-sama sucked the air out of the room.

Oi oi oi, that must be the Lady from the Pussy Republic.

Ara? What are you two doing in Sophias room.

Doris-sama stared wide-eyed at Gonzalez and Neumann-san.

No matter what comes from this situation, I dont see it ending well for me.

Also, this isnt my room, its Tanaka-sans office.

***

Goggoru-chan schooled me in the lessons of the Dark Continent for a while.

Her story of all of the time spent living here was incredibly helpful. It just served to reconfirm my own ignorance. Now that the lesson had finished, we were left to come up with a strategy about how to proceed further.

Of course, a strategy to obtain the Green Sylph wings.

I can get it for you.

No, I couldnt ask you to do that.

She was still making the exact same face as when I first met her, but I could tell there was a certain kindness behind her eyes.

Goggoru-chan is so cute.

Her kindness towards me is likely to cause a misunderstanding.

No, I want there to be a misunderstanding.

But that is the easiest solution.

Even if thats true, I cant ask you to do it all.

Goggoru-chan stats suggest shes incredibly fast. Theres no doubt that shes suited for a task like this.

But it isnt good to rely so heavily on others.

This concerns my dream of the Elixir of Youth. I have to do it myself.

Then, I can operate as the vanguard while you offer support from the back.

Sounds good. Im sorry for this, but I appreciate your help.

If Goggoru-chan hadnt come to find me, I wouldve been forced to return to the massive stone wall and ask the rest of my party for help. With enough Green Sylphs grouped together, they could easily rival a Phoenix in strength. Its much safer if I keep the numbers low.

should we get going?

I was actually thinking about taking a break and heading out once the sun starts to set.

Honestly, Im feeling fine and completely rested, but I want to spend more time with Goggoru-chan.

Im sure once we collect the wings, well have to say goodbye. So, Ill use all of the time we have together to admire her brown thighs, brown arms, and her brown collarbone.

Well potentially be fighting many of them at once. I dont want to add to the confusion by fighting them at night. The Green Sylphs have superior night vision as well.

I just cant help but leer at her chocolate body and it makes me feel guilty.

Guilt over ogling such a pure hearted girl. With Mercedes or the Dark Elf, I can stare at them without even a hint of guilt, but with Goggoru-chan, I cant help but feel bad for objectifying her.

Oh, could it be that? The sense of distance that exists between idols and their fans? Perhaps this is the feeling that the masochist demon gets from his relationship with Drill-chan.

That being said, I still have a desire to see her gangbanged by an unspecified number of men. Id love to see Goggoru-chan refuse to let a man pull out. Id worship her dark skin as it becomes covered in cloudy white slime.

.

A mans heart is a complex thing.

Its a similar feeling I get from Sophie-chan but not quite the same.

Are you sure it isnt any trouble? If you have anything else you need to do, I understand.

I dont mind.

Are you sure?

its fine.

Im sorry if you feel like youve been forced into this.

It doesnt bother me.

I need to keep the conversation going.

What am I supposed to say? Is our relationship as coGreen Sylph hunters good enough? I could come up with an excuse for us to hunt more monsters together. After a while, we would need to rest and we could sit down and have a proper talk.

Shes wearing a handmade dress. It isnt very long, so if she were to sit down Id have a decent chance of seeing her panties. I havent had much of a chance to worship any panties without Edita Sensei around.

By the way, is the Green Sylphs village nearby?

I dont know where it is either.

Then, wouldnt it be a better idea to find someplace safe to stay while we come up with a plan?

This is a great chance.

Shell have to take a seat if were going to rest.

We wont be able to rest properly just standing around.

I was attempting to continue the conversation naturally.

It was just as I took my first step towards finding a  place to rest that a loud explosion cut through the relative silence of the forest.

It sounded like a barrel of gunpowder going off.

Wha!?

A-An explosion?

It sounded far off from us. Somewhere deeper in the forest. Even though the sound was far off, the force of the explosion was still enough to cause the ground beneath us to shake. The shaking ran through the ground, up through my legs, and settled in my abdomen.

over there.

Goggoru-chan pointed between the trees at something in the sky.

I followed her finger and saw a thin wisp of smoke.

What is it?

I was worried that my party was fighting with a monster, but the area the smoke was coming from was in the opposite direction. I cant imagine theyd travelled that far without running into us.

What could be the source of the explosion?

Thats the direction the Green Sylphs fled.

Eh, it was?

probably.

I was still hiding in my stone tomb when they ran from Goggoru-chan.

She would be the one to know where they ran.

I wonder if the Green Sylphs found new prey.

I think the opposite may be the case.

I wonder.

If theyve been attacked by another monster, my task will become much easier. However, I wouldnt be able to forgive myself if theyve attacked someone after becoming violent due to me.

We should go see whats happened.

Understood.

We quickly made our decision.

With Goggoru-chan by my side, we headed off toward the source of the explosion.

All the while, my missed opportunity to see her underwear weighed heavily on my mind.

***