Atelier Tanaka – Volume 5 Chapter 4 Part 1

Secret Medicine of Rejuvenation


The first person we met after returning to Dragon City was the loligon.

[Fu~n, fufufu~n fu~n”

The golden eyed loligon was strolling through town humming to herself with a smile on her face. After taking the job as mayor, she declared that the safety of every individual in the city was her responsibility. This was one of her daily tasks.]

“Fu~n, fufufu~~n, fu, fufu~n”

Her hair was still wet as if she had got out of the bath recently. She wore a thin white dressy that blew about in the cool night breeze. Later in the day like this, the streets are far less crowded, so the loligon may be enjoying having the city to herself. A broad smile spread across her face whenever she spotted a building she had created.

We ran into each other not far from the main gate.

[Wha–]

“…is something wrong?”

[What’s that thing doing here?]

This was the first thing she asked the moment she spotted us.

Her plump cheeks drew taught as her smile faded and her sharp canines began to show. Her shine from her golden eyes cut through the darkness of the night.

“She’ll be staying with us for a while.”

[Wha–!?]

This revelation was enough to cause the loligon to take a few steps back.

Goggoru-chan retained the same emotionless mask she always wore as she offered her greeting.

“…let’s get along well.”

[What’s that supposed to mean!? Why is this happening!?]

We departed from the masochistic demon a while ago, but based off what he told me, he’s at least going to tolerate her presence.

He’s probably already received a reward from his hymen holding master.

“I can explain everything.”

“A-A decision like this should be up to the mayor! You can’t decide something like this on your own! It’s not happening! Absolutely not!”

“Then I’ll just have to overrule your decision as Baron of this land.”

“Gununu~”

She began backing away from us while keeping an eye on Goggoru-chan. She waited for us to start moving before she began following us back to the mayor’s house.

***

Even though it was past midnight, we were walking through the drawing room of the mayor’s house.

Goggoru-chan and I were walking side-by-side as we entered with the loligon following us from a distance. Whenever we stopped and turned to look at her she would stop and take a few steps back. She’s like a stray cat.

It took us a few minutes to reach the door that I was looking for.

“In here?”

Goggoru-chan was staring at the door as if she could see through it.

“Yes, that’s right. Is something wrong?”

“…someone inside is planning on using you.”

“Eh?”

She must have read the mind of someone inside.

I don’t know what to do with that information.

It sounds bad, but it depends on how exactly they plan on using me. If they plan on using my body in bed at night, I have no problems.

“During the day, using your magic.”

“…it’s alright. You don’t need to tell me anymore.”

It won’t do me any good wondering what that means outside like this.

I mustered my courage and opened the door.

There were more people than I expected as I walked through the doorway.

As if they were waiting for us, Gonzalez, Neumann, Sophia, the noble mage, and Ester-chan’s dad for some reason.

The only two that were seated were the noble mage and Ester-chan’s father. Gonzalez and Neumann were standing completely still behind the sofa the former two were sitting on.

Sophia-chan was on her own, seated at the desk with a pen in her hand. Her entire body was shaking as if she were vibrating and there were tears running down her face.

I don’t understand what’s happening here.

“…Richard-san?”

“I’m sorry for intruding while you were away. However, I was given permission to wait for your return.”

Everyone turned their attention to me as I entered.

The first to speak after I entered was Ester-chan’s father. I don’t know why he’s here, but I assume it has something to do with the events that happened in Kalis. Even if my opponent here is a powerful noble, I should probably start off on the attack.

“What is the meaning of this? Did something happen in my absence?”

“No, nothing of the sort. I only wished to speak with you, Tanaka-san.”

“Speak with me?”

“That’s right, but your companion there has piqued my interest….”

Richard’s gaze turned towards Goggoru-chan.

Goggorus are commonly used by the nobility for the various plots and schemes. It’s likely that he knows what she is. Distinctive brown skin, silvery-white hair, and a tail.

“This is my friend Rocoroco-san.”

“…hi.”

I tried to casually introduce her.

Goggoru-chan gave her greetings as she bowed.

“I see. You were out trying to find yourself a member of the Goggoru tribe.”

Richard misunderstood why Goggoru-chan is with me. I felt as if his eyes, which are already naturally small, narrowed even further. Thanks to this reaction, I’m certain that he is the one planning on taking advantage of me.

I cast a glance toward Goggoru-chan who gave me a small nod in response.

“I’d like to make a request of you, Richard-san.”

“And what is that?”

“Can you move to the sofa in the back? Possibly to the very edge.”

“…do you want to sit here?”

Richard’s eyes shifted between me and the sofa.

The noble mage quickly understood my meaning and got up to move.

“Richard, you should listen to what he said. It’s likely that you are within the range of that High Goggoru. If you wish to protect your thoughts, I’d suggest you move at once.”

“Lord Fahren? Well, if it’s you saying so, I suppose I’ll move….”

Richard listened to the noble mage and moved to the back of the room. When he was settled in on the sofa, I checked with Goggoru-chan to be sure.

“How about now?”

“…I can’t read him.”

“What about anyone else?”

“Only yours.”

“That’s fine.”

I don’t want her reading anyone’s thoughts but mine.

Ah, it’s like I’m monopolizing her. I’m fine with that.

“Tanaka-san?”

“Richard, that Goggoru is special. It’s capable of reading the thoughts of others without coming in direct contact with them. It’s likely you were within her range.”

“Wha….”

Richard’s eyes opened wide once this was revealed to him.

As usual, this guy’s eyes open wide when he’s scared.

“Which is why I suggested you move.”

There are a lot of people in the room, leaving me and the chocololi little space to move while keeping everyone out of her range.

“…so you did.” 

I still had yet to offer him a proper greeting. I noticed a look of annoyance flash across his face before he sighed and let it go. It was the first time I had seen this confident and composed man back down from anything.

“I came here today fully intending on deceiving you, Tanaka-san, but it seems you’ve accounted for everything.”

“….”

Having a Goggoru by my side was outside his expectations.

If I recall what Goggoru-chan told me before we entered, this is a surprisingly straightforward confession of his plans. He must have had a detailed plan on how he wanted to deceive me, but everything had collapsed before it began.

His expression changed once more into one of utter defeat.

I don’t know what he wanted, but Goggoru-chan is already proving useful.

I’ll be sure to reward you by letting you give me a blowjob after I haven’t bathed for two days.

“Tanaka-san, I’m changing my approach to our situation.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll make a formal request of you. Please, join my faction.”

“….”

Ester-chan’s father stood up off of the sofa and bowed to me. He did this not only in front of the noble mage but also in front of several commoners.

“Richard-san, please, raise your head.”

“Only if you agree to join my faction.”

“….”

This guy really is something else.

He reminds of his daughter.

For a moment, I could even picture her in the same pose

“I understand. I’ll agree to join you, so please, raise your head.”

“You will?”

“Yes, I will. That is, of course, as long as there are no strange conditions attached.”

“Nothing of the sort.”

Richard raised his head and took a few steps closer to us.

He was now within Goggoru-chan’s range.

“R-Richard-san?”

“Please, confirm it with her.”

“…all right.”

Like father, like daughter.

That girl definitely took after her father.

“Rocoroco-san.”

“He’s not lying.”

“And about the previous matter…?”

“…he’s incredibly frightened.”

“I-I see.”

I confirmed it just as Richard wanted. Goggoru-chan has made jokes previously using her powers, but I don’t think she’d lie in this situation. What he’s saying must be true.

“I understand, Richard-san.”

“Is there anything else you want her to reveal while I’m standing here?”

“This is enough. You can move back now. Her power is not activated at will. As long as you are within her radius, your thoughts will constantly pour into her mind.”

“What a powerful ability….”

Ester-chan’s father nodded and retreated back to the same position on the sofa.

“But what about you, Tanaka-san? You’re standing right beside her.”

“As for me, well, I…I’ve resigned myself to my fate.”

“….”

I revealed my overall reluctance and dissatisfaction with my situation.

It may be unlikely, but if Goggoru-chan ever found someone else to attach herself to, she’ll have endless methods for which she could torture me.

I have no choice but to be her sex slave and give into her mad form of love for the rest of my life. 

“…the more you think about your thoughts being read, the more you think about stuff like that.”

“I’ve already realized that myself, so please, try not to linger on them too long.”

Is she getting used to it?

Or is she telling me this so that I’ll stop?

Well, I guess it doesn’t matter what the reason is.

Just being aware of it leads me to think of the most depraved thoughts.

“I’ve come to realize after our previous interaction that it is pointless to try underhanded methods against you. You attaching yourself to a Goggoru has cemented this in my mind. This is why I have decided the best course of action moving forward is to be upfront with you.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Duke of FitzClarence.”

“Thank you, Baron Tanaka.”

Ester-chan’s father bowed deeply once more.

However, this time, his head snapped up and the words that followed were much more serious,

“But none of this applies to my daughter. This part is non-negotiable. You will give up any ideas of the two of you being together. If you refuse, I’ll have to make a stand against you right here and now.”

“Y-Yes, of course….”

In that moment, he looked like a proper father looking out for his daughter.

***


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