The LV.99 Middle Boss, Starts His Second Life with Subordinates!

Chapter 56

~3rd Person Perspective~

　In the innermost part of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain, in the Shrine Hall— the Middle Boss room.

“Agata and Ungata, there’s a reaction… Hmm, it looks like another pitiful soul has arrived again.” (Voice)

　Inanaki Sacred Mountain Mid Boss—Senri, her lips bewitchingly formed a grin as she poured her magical power into a hand mirror.

　Immediately, the surface of the mirror shimmered, and eventually, a certain landscape is projected into it.

　It’s a spell of [Far Sight].

“Look Momiji, you should come over here too.” (Voice)

“…Excuse me.” (Momiji)

　A girl called Momiji came to her side and looked into the hand mirror just as Senri said.

　A boy and two women are reflected in the hand mirror.

　In addition, Momiji speculates that the other person… even with the wide-brimmed hat and cloak making it difficult to see the person’s true face. However, the person’s body shape suggests that she is probably a woman.

“Ooone… Twooo… Threee… four people, huh, another, and another, mayflies really do flock near a fire…” (Voice => Senri)

“Senri-dono, your way of speaking.” (Momiji)

“Ah.” (Senri)

　When pointed out by Momiji, Senri’s face immediately turned bright red.

“I’m not doing it, I’ll talk like a normal person… Hmm, it’s fine, it’s fine.” (Senri)

“… Is that right?” (Momiji)

　Momiji says something quietly under her breath.

　Noticing this, Senri sighed deeply.

“Oh, are you still hung up about your sister?” (Senri)

“No, I am not, I don’t know…” (Momiji)

“I have a sister too, but I’m sure she’s forgotten all about me. You’re a good sister… Well, I’m sure she’ll pop right here someday.” (Senri)

“…I am sorry.” (Momiji)

“Hmm, that’s not the point. You need to focus on this right now.” (Senri)

　With that said, they look back at the hand mirror.

“—Well, let’s take a look at them.” (Senri)

~Narugoa’s Perspective~

　Their majestic appearance is more like a lion than a dog.

　They stepped on the earth with their four mighty legs and looked down at us from on high.

　Their eyes are glazed over and their fur swirls back and forth like a raging fire.

“…The gatekeepers of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain.” (Sakura)

　Sakura said, placing her hat back lower than before.

“Komainu A (Agata) and Komainu Um (Ungata), both Level 11.” (Sakura)

“Komainu… a monster I’ve never heard of.” [T/N: So the MC says it in katakana like it’s a foreign word because in this world Japanese-ish monsters are foreigners that’s why I used the Japanese names. Anyway, Komainu a.k.a. “lion-dogs”, “Korean dogs”, or “foreign dogs” are part of the whole temple scenery. They are guardians of temples. The “A” or Agata and “Um” or Ungata means that one of them is open-mouthed and the other is closed-mouthed. My research says it’s related to Sanskrit used in Buddhist prayers similar to the western saying of “Alpha and Omega” or “The Beginning and The End”. Well that’s what I read from Google-sensei.]

　I look up at the two pairs of lions.

　When it comes to dogs as gatekeepers, the first thing that comes to mind is Cerberus, the guard dog of hell, but they seem to be a different breed.

　Somehow, I feel some kind of divinity from them. [T/N: The Komainu sound very old-timer-ish so I’m giving them Shakespearian-ish accents. They are not the most old-time-y or the most serious speaking among the other monsters, but they are overly dramatic so that’s the reason I gave them the Shakespearian accent.]

“O faithless ones!” (A)

“Giveth thy name.” (Um)

　Two pairs of Komainu ask questions while taking over the words.

　Kyuu-chan was the first to answer this.

“I am the warrior Kyuu-chan!” (Kyuuketsu)

“What, do we have to do this every time!? I-I’m the wizard Al!” (Alraune)

“I am the Summoner and Hero Narugoa and…”

　We look back towards Sakura at the same time.

“Eh… eh!?” (Sakura)

“*whispered*…name yourself immediately, or you’ll look suspicious.”

“—I-I-I’m a swordfighter, Morning Glory!” (Sakura)

“We four are the Hero Party [Middle Management]!”

　So we are reborn as [Middle Management].

　Both Komainu nodded and almost at the same time,

“Middle Management?” (A)

“…Acknowledged.” (Um)

　Apparently, they were convinced.

　There was no sign that Sakura’s disguise had been discovered.

　Well, her disguise is just a wide-brimmed hat and a cloak over her armor.

“Middle Management.” (A)

“Thou art a Hero Party.” (Um)

“Art thee going to capture this Inanaki Sacred Mountain?” (A)

“Just liketh those Heroes who is’t just cameth before thee.” (Um)

　That hero party is probably the “Dawn’s Ship”.

“Yes, we’re here to do that.”

“Very well, then.” (A)

“I adviseth thee, faithless ones.” (Um)

“Haha, that’s a cliché. Sorry, but I’m not going to back down now that you’ve threatened me.” (Alraune)

　Alraune then snickers.

　But the Komainu did not change their complexion.

“–Before going through the torii.” (A)

“–Taketh off thy coxcomb (hat).” (Um)

　They said that in a very firm tone.

　This causes me, Alraune, Kyuu-chan, and perhaps Sergeant, to freeze for a fraction of a second.

　Before we could understand what he was saying, he continued.

“After thee taketh off thy coxcomb (hat).” (A)

“You wilt boweth.” (Um)

“And of course, at which going through the torii.” (A)

“Don’t walketh in the center.” (Um)

“After passing through the torii gate” (A)

“Purify thy hands with water.” (Um)

　Mysterious requests were laid out in an uninterrupted manner.

　Rather, is this some kind of… etiquette?

　I was expecting provoking words would come flying, but I completely missed the beat.

“…Will you then let us through?”

“Nay, of course not. We has’t a duty to protecteth this gate.” (A)

“If thee very much wanteth to wend through, thee’ll has’t to defeat us.” (Um)

“But if’t be true we art defeated.” (A)

“No one shall beest able to teachest thee the proper etiquette.” (Um)

“That’s wherefore I toldeth thee earlier.” (A)

“Keep yond in mind.” (Um)

　As we were wondering what they were saying, Sakura, or Morning Glory, whispered in our ear so that only we could hear.

“(The two Komainu are among the most devout people in the Inanaki Sacred Mountain, and they value etiquette above all else.)” (Sakura)

“(It’s also called faithfulness…)”

“–It doesn’t really matter, does it?” (Kyuuketsu)

　Kyuu-chan’s careless remarks made the two Komainu scream.

“It doesn’t very much matter…?” (A)

“How arrogant of thee, faithless one!” (Um)

“Well, she doesn’t mean that.”

“What art thee declaring!” (A)

“This is a sanctuary! Punishment!” (Um)

“Hmm, maybe I’ll find another way in.” (Kyuuketsu)

“All those who is’t art not in mourning wilt passeth through the gate!” (A)

“That’s how tis done!” (Um)

　The two Komainu stood menacingly and barked at us.

　The first one to lose his temper was Alraune, then I was struck by a low angry voice that pierced to the pit of my stomach.

“Oh, I see, I’ll bow, I’ll wash my hands, I’ll do anything.” (Alraune)

　Alraune swings her staff and steps out in front of us

“I’ll take you down quick and then we’ll do things your way.” (Alraune)

“…Yond’s the spirit!” (A)

“Good!” (Um)

　The two pairs of canines jumped up and opened their mouths wide.

　Flame swirls in their mouths and swirled around forming a sphere, that is soon thrown.

　For Alraune, a plant demon, fire is her weakness, but–

“—I’m not the me who has always been afraid of fire! Bloom!” (Alraune)

　Alraune taps the ground with the tip of her staff.

　In response to her spell, the cobblestones cracked. A rapidly growing plant appeared in front of Alraune.

　The plant was a Mizugamekazura with a stocky, jar-shaped structure. [T/N: So it’s in katakana again and I don’t know what plant is a “water jar vine”. Any Ideas?]

“Nuu! This is very much strange!” (A)

“Some sort of magic!” (Um)

“It’s not just something like that. It is something more organic and fragrant than that!” (Alraune)

　The fireball hit the Mizugamekazura directly.

　The Mizugamekazura then spit out a large amount of “water” from its bottle-shaped organ.

　The water overflowed with overwhelming volume, flooding the surrounding area and extinguishing the flames in no time.

　Let me explain for the time being.

　Mizugamekazura is a plant that has acquired strong resistance to drought, like a kind of cactus, by storing a large amount of water in its bottle-shaped organ.

　The amount of water stored is gargantuan, and the water in the bottle does not spill easily, so adventurers appreciate it as a plant for surviving.

“As did expect of a true champion.” (A)

“It is not polite to refuseth to nameth yourself to a fighter of this caliber.” (Um)

“Then alloweth me introduceth myself again. I am Agata, leveleth 11, over 150.” (A)

“I am Ungata, leveleth 11, over 150.” (Un)

　 I raised my eyebrows at their names.

　…What does the “over” mean?

　Given that the numbers are attached later, it probably indicates some number, but I don’t know anything about it.

　Alraune and the others… apparently also don’t know.

　So is this the custom of their hometown of Yapani?

　Or is it some kind of unique thing in this dungeon?

　As I was ruminating, Alraune chuckled and said,

“That’s very kind of you, though I’ll probably never call you by that name again.” (Alraune)

“What?” (A)

“What?” (Um)

“It means we’re done here, Bloom.” (Alraune)

　 Alraune tapped her staff on the cobblestones.

　Then, out of nowhere, the wet ground shook, and multiple ivies twisted like a myriad of snakes sprouted.

　The numerous vines grew in a blink of an eye and ties up both Komainu.

“Nuu!?” (A)

“What is this!?” (Um)

“Dorotsukami, a plant that grows in wetlands, I was able to make it bloom because the ground was wet.” (Alraune) [T/N: Dorotsukami or “Mud Grab” it’s in katakana again. Is this a real plant?]

“What a strange thing!” (A)

“Thee can’t just teareth this thing apart…” (Um)

“It’s impossible, the fibers of the dorotsukami are very elastic and strong, but the downside is that it crumbles when it dries… Well, I’ll just let you keep on rolling for a while.” (Alraune)

“Inconvenient… but brilliant…!” (A)

“Onward, faithless ones, to…!” (Um)

　Agata & Ungata, who can’t move, laid their body on the ground and says regretfully.

“T-that’s amazing! To treat them like children…!” (Sakura)

　Sakura says breathlessly.

　Alraune doesn’t look affected at all.

　Her ability to manipulate plants is unparalleled when it comes to neutralizing enemies without harming them.

　Now, let’s resume our capture—

　It was at that moment when everyone was about to move forward with that thought.

“—But take off your hat!” (A)

　A moment of carelessness.

　Agata roared in the gap, and the shock wave generated by it blew off Sakura’s hat.