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

“—Senri-dono, I am ashamed to say that I have let an infidel escape.” (Momiji)

　Momiji, the Oni swordsman, kneels before Senri and bows her head deeply.

“It’s all because of my inexperience that Sakura has been taken again, and I’m even prepared to kill myself right here and now if that’s what the Lord wants…” (Momiji)

　Nekomata and Yukime, two of the Four Heavenly Kings who were standing behind her, couldn’t help but raise their voices at the shocking words that came out of their former boss’s mouth.

“Nya!? That’s not fair! There should be solidarity! We have also just watched…” (Nekomata)

“And they’re not the only ones. If we’re not careful, we might not be safe…” (Yukime)

“No, I’d rather remove my humiliation right here, right now…!” (Momiji)

　Momiji unsheathes a knife unhesitatingly, grabs it firmly, and points it at her stomach.

“That’s, no good Momiji-sama!” (Nekomata)

“—Ponpokorin!” (Senri)

　However, the blade that had flashed did not cut through her stomach.

　As soon as Senri shook her finger lightly, the knives turned into countless leaves and were scattered around.

“Nya! This is…!” (Nekomata)

“Senri-sama’s magic…” (Yukime)

“–I’m not going to allow this harakiri nonsense in front of me, Momiji.” (Senri)

　Senri said. Momiji replied, with her lips tight.

“…I humbly beg for forgiveness.” (Momiji)

“Oh, stop that provincial way of speaking, use smarter words, speak smarter, like me.” (Senri)

“…Because Senri-dono’s words are too noble for me, someone illiterate like me.” (Momiji)

“Oh, you say such good things, praise me more.” (Senri)

　Senri chuckles and puffs up her chest.

　In any case, the situation of the former boss committing seppuku seemed to have been avoided, and Nekomata and Yukime let out a sigh of relief. [T/N: So seppuku or sometimes called hara-kiri is the ritual suicide by disembowelment. It is only reserved for samurais but many Japanese people also practiced this to restore honor to their families. This is according to Google-sensei.]

“I read a book the other day that said you have to pay back for mistakes in your work. If you’re really sorry, you should chop up the heroes with your noble sword.” (Senri)

“…Thank you for your concern.” (Momiji)

“Oh, such a serious face, I know you are the one who is most worried about your sister being kidnapped by strangers.” (Senri)

　Of course, she didn’t forget to add an ending phrase, “Well, I’m not worried about your sister in the slightest.”

　It is a tacit understanding in the Inanaki Sacred Mountain that Senri hates Sakura.

“I’m sure you’re worried about Sakura, but at least it’s not like she’s going anywhere right now.” (Senri)

“…What do you mean by?” (Momiji)

“Because those people… I mean, they’ve decided to seriously destroy this dungeon. That means they’re going to regroup and come back to attack this dungeon again, right?” (Senri)

“That’s for sure…” (Momiji)

“So they took Sakura away, which means they’re going to use her again as a hostage.” (Senri)

“…Senri-dono is sagacious.” (Momiji)

“Hmm, I’d rather you call me clever.” (Senri)

“But, Senri-sama! They really said they were going to destroy this place! We must be on our guard-nya! I wonder what kind of plans they’ll have for us…” (Nekomata)

“Oh, Nekomata, don’t worry.” (Senri)

　Senri glances at Nekomata with eyes that seem to look at a child.

　Then she shrugged, “Just do it!”

“The Inanaki Sacred Mountain is perfect, so it doesn’t matter what the hero party does.” (Senri)

“But Senri-sama, the Komainu were defeated…” (Yukime)

“Is it that bad? They’re old you know.” (Senri)

“That’s right…” (Momiji)

　Aside from Momiji, the two other subordinates were uneasy, but Senri changed the topic to “something else” as if it were just an afterthought.

“I’m curious about that kid, are you sure he’s called Narugoa…? And those hands…” (Senri)

　Senri tilts her head in question.

“There’s something that’s bugging me. …… I think I’ve seen it somewhere, heard of it somewhere…” (Senri)

　She paused for a few moments as if searching through her memory…

“If I can’t remember it, it probably isn’t a big deal — now, come on, the meeting’s over, let’s get back to work.”

　She picked up two leaves from a tree.

　She squeezes them and sings.

“Ponpokorin, [Heal]! [Awaken]!” (Senri)

　With her chanting, the squeezed leaves glowed and activated two kinds of magic.

　One was a spell to remove physical fatigue from herself.

　The other was a spell that made drowsiness disappear and awakened her.

　This was Senri’s idea to make it possible for people to work extremely long hours without considering sleep.

　As a side note, when Senri discovered this method, she got goosebumps from her own genius idea.

　Senri said, “I can use the time I used to spend sleeping to work, this is an innovation!　Why doesn’t everyone do this?”

　She doesn’t seem to notice the creepy stares from her employees.

“It’s a great way to refresh yourself and feel like a real woman.” (Momiji)

“… We’re going back to our posts-nya.” (Nekomata)

“We will return…” (Yukime)

　Nekomata and Yukime turn around and were about to leave the Middle Boss room.

　But on their way out,

“Oh yeah, be careful and stay alert for a while, because we won’t know when those adventurers will come again.” (Senri)

　As Senri said this as if it were nothing, Nekomata and Yukime stifled the various words that were coming out of their throats before disappearing.

　And after the backs of the two disappear, the remaining Momiji slowly opens her mouth.

“…For sure, we can defeat them.” (Momiji)

“So Momiji, what was Nekomata worrying about? If it’s the hero party you shouldn’t worry about it…” (Senri)

“… No, it’s nothing, I’m sorry about that.” (Momiji)

“Oh, is that so…” (Senri)

　Senri sighs deeply.

“At the moment, it’s impossible… honestly, I don’t know how to defeat them.” (Senri)

“Then…” (Momiji)

“But rest assured, the spell is stable, it’s okay for a while unless I fall.” (Senri)

“I will do my best to protect it then.” (Momiji)

“Thank you, and keep up the good work. Your job is to protect this dungeon, and by extension me.” (Senri)

　After saying that much, Senri looked at a certain place with a mysterious expression on her face.

　There was an unmistakable fire of determination in her eyes.

“—And my job is to make this dungeon even stronger and defeat them, in the name of the [Senri of Ten Thousand, the Sage Tanuki]” (Senri)