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

One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain is the irrepressible Nekomata.

　With dozens of bakeneko in tow, she also has another name.

　She is also known as Nekomata the “Immortal”. [T/N: 勤 is Nekomata’s title and description of her state, this kanji can mean steadfast, unstoppable, immortal, diligent, and even overworked depending on how it is used.]

　A long time ago, Nekomata was forced to leave her homeland lost her place. The Middle Boss of the time… Momiji, accepted her into the Inanaki Sacred Mountain.

　Nekomata is a very loyal person.

　She vowed that she would never forget the favor she had bestowed upon her, and she decided to devote her entire life to the Inanaki Sacred Mountain.

　She worked diligently, trained diligently, and eventually became one of the Four Heavenly Kings…

　—Her continuous working hours were about to exceed 160 hours.

“Nekomata-sama! Please stop already-nya!” (Bakeneko)

　One of her subordinates, the bakeneko Ayame, finally appealed with tears in her eyes. [T/N: Bakeneko is a Japanese supernatural creature that looks like a cat. They are sometimes confused with a nekomata but they only have a single tail. This is according to Google-sensei]

　Nekomata, on the other hand, looked as if she couldn’t even stand.

　Her eyes were vacant, her cheeks were puffy, and she couldn’t even stand upright without her naginata, which she used as a staff to thrust into the ground.

　Her long, tiger-striped hair, of which she had been secretly proud, was now stringy and unruly.

　But she still shook her head

“Yeah… But Sakura hasn’t come back-nya… Until I defeat that Hero Party and get Sakura back… I can’t leave my post-nya…” (Nekomata)

“No! If nothing is done-nya, Nekomata-sama will collapse before the Hero arrives! At least, even if you just lie down-nya…!” (Bakeneko => Ayame)

　Ayame reached out to help her rest but was stopped.

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘can’t’. It’s a lie-nya…!” (Nekomata)

　Nekomata tells herself she’s fine and she stood up straight.

“I’m immortal… I, Nekomata won’t leave my post-nya… This much is nothing…”

“Nekomata-sama!” (Ayame)

　The bakenekos wept as if Nekomata was a noble warrior who was full of wounds but refused to let her knees touch the ground.

　—However, the reality is that the bakeneko have also reached their limits.

　Nekomata said, “You guys don’t have to worry about me, just finish up and go home.”

　But unfortunately, there was no one bold enough to say, “I understand, I’ll excuse myself first.”

　In other words, even though they were not as strong as the Nekomata, they were also unstoppable.

　They had already lost their ability to make normal judgments.

　――It was such a time.

　It was at that time that Ayame, who had been shedding tears “Nyan, Nyan” at Nekomata’s decision, noticed something.

“What……?” (Ayame)

“What’s wrong-nya, Ayame…” (Nekomata)

“This sound… don’t you hear it-nya, Nekomata-sama?” (Ayame)

“What do you hear-nya…? I don’t hear anything…” (Nekomata)

“Yeah… yeah! I hear it-nya! But oh, I can’t believe it! This is–” (Ayame)

　Ayame’s eyes widened as she looked at her, and then she said.

“–This is a festival music!” (Ayame)

“……huh?” (Nekomata)

　Immediately after Nekomata leaked a dumbfounded murmur.

　Suddenly it happened.

　The night sky was brightly lit up with a sound that shook them to the pit of their stomachs.

　Nekomata and the others slowly turned their heads in the direction of the sound, and couldn’t believe their eyes.

　They saw a “flower” blooming in the night sky at three o’clock in the morning.

“Oh, those are fireworks-nya—” (Nekomata)

　Then, a series of strange events occurred.

　The cherry trees that surround the Inanaki Sacred Mountain should already be in a state of leafiness.

　As if in rapid succession, the leaves were falling, the trees were withering, and then the buds were blooming.

　–In the blink of an eye, the out-of-season cherry blossoms have turned the sacred mountain of Inanaki peach-colored.

“The Sa-sakuras are… in full bloom-nya…!?”

“Pretty-nya……”

“What’s happening-nya!!?”

　Some were stunned, others couldn’t help but admire it.

　There were many different reactions, but there was no doubt that this was an abnormal situation.

“Ayame! Where did you hear the sound come from-nya?” (Nekomata)

“It’s at the base of the mountain-nya… Nekomata-sama!?” (Ayame)

　As soon as Nekomata heard Ayame’s words, she ran off with her naginata.

　Ayame and the other bakeneko followed her down the Inanaki Sacred Mountain at full speed.

　When the night sky was lit up eight times by intermittent fireworks, the girls stopped in their tracks at the sight that unfolded before them.

“Hey, Nekomata-sama! This is…!?” (Ayame)

“How strange-nya… I wonder if we are dreaming…?” (Nekomata)

　None of them could immediately believe that the scene they were seeing was real.

　As a side note, Nekomata has confirmed with her own eyes that until a little over an hour ago, it was the same usual place.

“Why……” (Nekomata)

　That’s why she can’t believe it. A dreamlike sight—

“—Why are there stalls along the road… Nyaaaa!?” (Nekomata)

　Breaking through the silence at three o’clock, the ninth firework bloomed in the night sky.

“—Narugoa-Shama! As requested! Stalls… At least 42 units! Confirmed delivery!” (Kobold)

　A small person in work clothes with ears similar to a dog’s ears—the kobolds gave me a lispy report and I couldn’t help but smile.

　――As expected, they had been summoned all the way from the Cave of Silence using [Summon].

　I can’t help but be impressed by their craftsmanship!

“Thank you! Now, please continue to work on setting up the stage! You’ll be rewarded with casks of milk!”

“Yahoo!” (Kobold)

“I’ll work on it with all my heart!” (Kobold)

　The small people ran off in high spirits, tools in hand.

　As I watch their backs, I use my [Thousand Hands] to launch the tenth [Magic Bullet] into the sky.

　The Magic Bullet] that were launched rose as if they were flickering… and exploded far overhead—condensed magical power colored the night sky.

“Well, I also see why the people of Yapani are fascinated by it.”

　I put on my kimono, the traditional costume of the Yapani people, and walked down the road towards the shrine while hearing a thumping sound.

　By the way, I have a mask on my head.

　According to Sakura, that’s how Yapani children are supposed to look.

“Narugoa-san! I’ve finished preparing the food I was asked to do!” (Tiny)

　As I was walking along with the approach to the inspection, one of the three Goblin brothers, the eldest son Goblin, rushed to me.

　He had changed from his usual pure white cook’s coat and was now wearing a festival-style apron.

“Elder Brother! I’m sorry I even had to specify the recipe! How are the vendors that Sergeant recruited!?”

“My brother and his apprentices are directly instructing them! Sergeant is in charge of the field! I’m sure they’ll be fine. But… Is this recipe really good?” (Tiny)

　The eldest goblin brother spreads out a piece of paper with the recipe I specified.

“The one with melted candy, the one with rolled mochi, and the fried food… It’s easy to make more elaborate ones because we have enough manpower…” (Tiny)

“No! Sakura says it’s a Yapani-style open-air dish! Or are you dissatisfied?”

“No way! Cooking is a noble art! The important thing is your heart!” (Tiny)

“Well said! Then I’ll leave it to you!”

“Leave it to me!” (Tiny)

　The eldest of the goblin brothers returns to the stall, after his gallant reply.

　…I wonder, he looks so confident now that there’s no awkwardness…

“Narugoa-san! This is one is also ready!” (Sakura)

“Hmm… I’m tired…” (Alraune)

　The voices of two women.

　Looking back, I could see Alraune with Sakura who was lending her shoulders.

“Inanaki Sacred Mountain’s ‘Sakuras’, all have received Al-san’s magical power!” (Sakura)

“Oh, my, they are in full bloom… But I think I’m a little tired…” (Alraune)

　Alraune is a bit out of breath and she’s leaning her weight toward the person next to her.

　Even though she’s acting like her usual self, I could see that she looks quite tired his time.

　Incidentally, like the goblins, Alraune has also changed her outfit to the Yapani style, with flower petals scattered on a small pattern.

　Sakura says it’s called a “yukata.”…

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to need to rest for a little while… I’m quite dizzy…” (Alraune)

“Wait a minute, Alraune”

“What…” (Alraune)

　She turned to me, somewhat languidly.

　Without her, this operation wouldn’t have even happened.

　Also, it’s always easy to get overwhelmed when your work is going well.

　If that is the case, then I feel she should relax—

“I’m sorry to bother you all the time Al… You look beautiful in that dress.”

　The easy-going lines that I wouldn’t normally say for fear of sexual harassment just sprung forth my mouth.

“Ah…” (Sakura)

　Sakura makes a surprised voice and alternately looks at me and Alraune.

“-” (Alraune)

　And Alraune’s eyes opened wide with surprise and looked back at me.

　It was at this point I came to my senses.

　It’s done, I was quite careless–

“Oh no, I’m sorry, forget about… what I said…”

“–I’m going back to work.” (Alraune)

　I hurriedly made an excuse, but it was already too late.

　She coldly said that, before running away from the scene as if she were running away from me.

　I felt the blood drain from my body.

“Well, I’ve done it… I’m completely a disappointment…”

“…You’re incredibly insensitive, aren’t you?” (Sakura)

　I could hear Sakura’s voice sounding quite disappointed from above my head.

　I was thinking that I should bow my head in person later, or at least bring one of the confectionery treats.

　The presence of multiple people came from behind.

“Hmm… just in time, I had one thing I wanted to ask.”

　I stood up slowly and looked back at them.

　There are cat beastkin glaring at us while breathing raggedly.

　I look back and ask them.

“–Don’t they sell minced pies at the night stalls in Yapani? It’s my favorite food.”

　Nekomata, the first to go, gritted her teeth in response to my question.