Chapter 151

“Yes…the moment I got here, I was trapped,” said Mamako. “Yikes…and we all ran headlong into that trap, huh?” asked Wise. “Maybe so…,” replied Medhi. “It looks like there’s a line of squares winding around the room all the way to the exit…like a board game.” “Exactly! This is a board game of traps I made!” Porta’s voice came from the exit at the end of the hall by the square marked GOAL. “Yo, Porta! Got a moment?” “Wh-what is it? I’m one of the Four Heavenly Kings, so that makes us enemies now! We shouldn’t be chatting!” “Good morning!” Masato yelled, as cheerily as possible. “…Huh?” Porta’s eyes went wide, then she blinked at him. “Ah, yeah, I guess it’s not morning anymore… I just wanted to say that, though.” “Totally,” Wise agreed. “If you can’t greet everyone, it’s like the day never started!” “It’s an important ritual that keeps the whole party together.” “Hee-hee-hee. Everyone missed your cheerful voice this morning, Porta, dear. Shall we? …One, two… Porta!” “Morning!” “Yoohoo!” “Hello!” “Did you remember to eat breakfast?” They spoke on top of one another, but everyone said something different. However, the effect was the same. Tears welled up in Porta’s eyes. Even so… “Th-that makes me really happy, but it won’t change anything! I have to protect my mommy! I have to fight for her!” Porta had almost taken a step toward them, but she forced herself to stop. She turned around and ran off. “Just hearing us say hello made her that happy… Mom, what do you make of it?” said Masato. “She’s definitely forcing herself. I had hoped she was enjoying being with her mother, but it seems that’s not the case. I’m getting worried now.” “Yeah. We’ve gotta follow her and get her to tell us what’s going on. So…” They were already at the trap-based board game’s start. A giant die appeared in midair, falling into Masato’s hands. “Let’s take on this so-called ‘trap’ challenge from our adorable little Porta, shall we? Here goes!” Masato threw the die. It rolled across the floor, and the number it showed…was a 2. Masato moved forward two spaces and saw something written on the square. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU GET A WONDERFUL POWER-UP ITEM! A tiny treasure chest appeared before him. “Wow! Lucky start! …Or maybe not…” There was as note stuck to the chest… This is a trap! Don’t open it! …in Porta’s handwriting. “So…I shouldn’t open it…but…” If Porta was their enemy now, would she leave a note to help him? Maybe this note was the trap and there really was a wonderful item inside. Masato stared at the chest. “It’s a game of traps…traps are the point. So Porta’s note must be the trap, and I’m going to get an amazing treasure perfect for me! I’m sure of it!” No adventurer could resist a treasure chest! His appetites spurred him to open it… And the trap activated. Inside: a debuff effect that dramatically lowered his attack. “Aughhhhhhhhhhh! Damn iiiiiiiiiit! I-it really was a trap! And the chest is empty, too!” “Oh my! You may have overthought that one.” “No…he got greedy, and paid the price.” “Jeez, no self-control at all. But I’m next!” Wise’s turn. She scooped up the die, and hurled it, rolling…a 2. “Ugh! Same as Masato. Whatever…unlike Masato, I’m not activating any dumb traps. C’mon, move. These squares aren’t exactly roomy.” “Argh…” Masato had been on all fours, wracked with despair, but Wise pushed him aside. A new tiny chest appeared. This is a trap! Don’t open it! There was another note from Porta…but the top of the chest had an illustration of a necklace called Prevenire, which could completely prevent your magic from getting sealed. A flicker of lust crossed Wise’s eyes. “Th…th-that’s…! W-wait—no, it can’t be?!” “Come on, Wise. You know it’s a trap. It will always be a trap.” “I know! I know it’s a trap! I’m just gonna…take a peek.” Click. Wise opened the lid a fraction of an inch, peering inside. The trap activated. Inside: a debuff effect that sealed her magic. “Arghhhhhhhhh! Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiit!” “And you had the gall to lecture me on self-control. I’m ashamed to be in the same party as you.” “Oh my! Wise also let herself get tricked! Too bad!” “Masato and Wise were easily fooled by Porta’s strategy. But I won’t go down so easily! My self-control is a rock, unyielding in any situation!” Medhi’s turn. She rolled the die…and got a 4. She sailed past Masato and Wise, where they lay curled up in heaps. When she reached the fourth square, words appeared. YOU ACCIDENTALLY BROKE THE WALL! UNTIL YOU CLEAN IT UP, YOU CAN’T ROLL AGAIN! Apparently. “I broke a wall? I have done no such thing, so this must be invalida—” A small wall rose up right next to Medhi. There was a list posted to it ranking the heroines. Mamako was first. Wise was second. Third was, of all people, Shiraaase. There were a lot of other girls’ names under that… 98: PEBBLE (FEMALE) 99: MEDHI 100: HORSE POOP (FEMALE) Medhi’s eyes immediately clouded over, and a jet-black aura sprang up around her. She began wordlessly kicking the wall. Thud, thud, thud! A string of yakuza kicks. Porta had left another note explaining, This list was generated randomly and is not true! But Medhi didn’t notice that. No self-control here. No use trying to stop her. Just leave her to it. “Medhi’s particularly fixated on results and rankings…that was already in effect, then to have her between a pebble and some horse poop…although I am curious how you determine a pebble’s gender.” “That ranking might actually be totally real? I bet it is. At least, I hope is. Please.” “Poor Medhi got tricked, too! Well, then.” It was finally Mamako’s turn. “Mom, be careful! Porta’s been with us a long time and knows exactly what our weaknesses are.” “I doubt she has a way to stop your domination, but…better safe than sorry.” “Yes…this is a serious contest between Porta and myself! …Hyah!” Cradling the cookies in one hand, she rolled the die with the other…and got a 6. When Mamako reached the square, it read… BARGAINS GALORE! TAKE THE TRANSPORT CIRCLE DIRECTLY TO THE STORE! A direct hit to Mamako’s heart! “Oh my! A sale?! I wonder which store!” she fretted. “Mom, calm down! It’s a trap! Definitely don’t go!” “Hahako’s been captured, so if you get transported somewhere, you can’t come back! We don’t have any clue how to get back here, so I don’t think I could transport you back!” “R-right. This is a trap! I have to stay calm and… Oh, my!” A flyer had fluttered down in front of Mamako. There was a note from Porta in the corner. This is the trap’s switch! Don’t press it! “Oh dear. The sale ends today! And there’s a coupon attached!” Snap. Before she could stop herself, Mamako’s hand grabbed the flyer. A magic circle appeared at her feet. The light of the transport spell enveloped her. “…Oh no…” “Aughhhh! What were you thinking?” “Mamako’s really getting teleported out?! Masato! Do something, fast!” “I know, but I can’t leave my square! Mom, isn’t there anything you can do?” “Well…I suppose this leaves me with no choice. I know this isn’t ideal, but…it is an emergency. Ma-kun!” “What? You know a way…uh?” Mamako had thrown something at him. The boxes of cookies. It was close, but he managed to catch them both. “I’ll leave those with you, Ma-kun! Make sure you say hello to Porta’s mother! Tell her I wish her well! Please!” “People can’t leave their squares, but inanimate objects can… No, wait, that’s the last thing that matters now! Can’t you use your mom powers to smash the game and evade—augh!” Too late. With a smile and a wave, Mamako vanished… Back in Catharn, at the Mom Shop: “…Reports are increasing? How so?” “Our warnings are spreading, and the pins in question are being steadily recovered…but before they know it, the children have them on again. They just find them somewhere.” Shiraaase had stopped by and was skimming reports, listening to Mone. The situation appeared grim. “They must be infinitely spreading…like there’s a sale on pins. No way to stay on top of things.” “And there’s a Black Friday rush on SOSes from moms. Although some people are starting to give up, saying all children eventually grow up and leave their parents.” “That is certainly true, but when you write that in letters smudged with tears, it isn’t convincing.” “Yeah. The letters themselves prove how sad and lost these mothers feel…mm? What’s that?” “Is something wrong?” A magic circle had appeared at the front of the shop. Light swelled up from it…and Mamako appeared. ““Huh? Mamako?!”” “…Oh, my? Is this where the sale is?” Everyone stared at each other, blinking. Back in Deathmother Castle, Porta’s game of traps was still in progress. A screen showed where Mamako had been sent, but it soon vanished. “To the Mom Shop, huh? …Eh, better than an unfamiliar location. Guess we don’t have to worry about her.” “On the other hand, our combat potential’s taken a huge hit. This could be bad news for us…,” said Wise. “Masato, you’d better not collapse in a heap of tears wailing about how you can’t do anything without your mommy.” “Like hell I would! We’ve just gotta grit our teeth and make it through this on our own. We’ve all grown enough!” “True. Right, then…” Back to the game. Masato’s turn. The die rolled over to him like a puppy that wanted to play, and he tossed it. He rolled a 6. “One, two…Medhi, coming through!” “Go right ahead… I’m almost done cleaning… Uh, wait, Masato! I don’t see Mamako anywhere! What happened?!” Medhi had finally recovered from her rage. “Wise, fill her in.” “Righty-oh.” Masato left them to it, moving to his new square. The following words materialized on it: THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS APPEAR! YOU CAN’T PROCEED UNLESS YOU BEAT THEM! He hoped he was reading that wrong. “Sheesh. Here? Now? Right into the fire, huh? Can we not?” Just in case, Masato readied the boxes of cookies, so he could offer them up at a moment’s notice. “Oh, wait, wrong thing!” He tried to switch to his weapon but failed to make it in time. The magic circle on the floor lit up, and the Libere Rebellion’s Four Heavenly Kings appeared. Anti-Mom Amante. Scorn-Mom Sorella. Frighten-Mom Fratello. Three powerful foes appeared inches from Masato’s face! “If I can say one thing first… You’re way too close! Think before you spawn!” “I thought the same thing! Also, don’t scream in my face! You got spit on me!” “Come on, Fratelloooo! You’re squishing meeee! Move closer to Masatooo!” “I-I’m a man, so…I can get real up close and personal to him and it ain’t gonna bother me!” “R-right…I’m fine with it, too. Even though I know you’re really a girl. Mm.” Welp. The Heavenly Kings were here. Wise and Medhi tried to run over but were stuck in their squares. Masato had no way of retreating. Therefore: Masato vs Three Heavenly Kings. “We can’t even move, but I’ve gotta fight all three of you? This is a mess. I don’t suppose I can persuade you to just let me pass, since you did all help invite us here?” “Nope. That was all Hahako jumping to conclusions. We’re still enemies. So…Masato Oosuki!” “Unh!” A fierce battle began! “Masatoooo! Roooock!” “C’mon, sonny! One, two…” “Three?” Masato threw out rock. All three of the Heavenly Kings threw out scissors. Masato defeated the Four Heavenly Kings! “Yes! I win… Wait, that doesn’t count! Quit screwing around!” “No, victory is yours, Masato Oosuki. There were no specific instructions on how to determine a winner, so this is a legitimate fight, and a legitimate outcome. I shouldn’t have to explain that, though! Humph.” “……Seriously?” Was Amante telling the truth? He glanced at Sorella and Fratello, and they both nodded. Then Masato had really won……? “Masato, don’t let them trick you! This is the game of traps!” “And you’re up against the Four Heavenly Kings! Think rationally! The slightest error could mean your life!” “O-oh, right… You can’t fool me!” Masato braced the box of cookies… “Wait, not that!” He didn’t really have anything to brace, though. Amante just looked disgusted. “Jeez, you really can’t figure it out without me explaining? Fine…Sorella. Show him the video.” “Right, riiiight…eyes to the waaaall…” A giant magic tome appeared above her head, shining a light against the wall like a projector. It showed footage of Porta from that morning: waking up in her luxurious bedroom, washing her face, changing… “Privacy!” “Don’t watch, Masatoooo.” “G-got it…” Amante and Sorella clapped their hands over his eyes during the most important part. Then the next scenes made Masato want to cover his eyes himself. Porta eating alone next to a row of stuffed animals. Running to her mother’s side, but not even allowed to say, “Good morning.” Announcing she’d do her best for her mother, but getting no smiles, not even a glance in her direction. But even then, gamely smiling and dashing away. At that, the video ended. “See, Masato Oosuki? How did that make you feel?” “Feel? It’s beyond words.” Immeasurably frustrated, he let out an agonized sigh. “You’re not gonna tell me that was a fake and this is another trap, right?” “Sonny. I swear on the manly soul within me. Every moment of that was the God’s honest truth.” “Crap…if Fratello says so, it must be true…” “Mm. I’m a man, so I don’t lie. No trickery here.” “Sooooo, you seeee…” Sorella showed him a piece of paper. If no results are achieved within a minute, everyone will be sent back to the start! Everything Porta wrote was definitely true. No lies there. “…Amante, explain.” “Our Master is Porta’s mom. But she’s a mom who treats her kid like that. So she’s our enemy. And the way she treats us…just remembering it makes my blood boil. Rrgh!” “Wh-what? What happened?” “Never mind. Point is, the Master needs to be eliminated. But Porta won’t agree to that.” “Of course not…she loves her mom.” “I have no idea why. Anyway, we tried to talk her into it, but just made her angry…so she locked us in here. If we don’t obey the rules, we can’t leave this dumb game.” “So you picked rock, paper, scissors so we could settle things fast. I see…yeah, no way I’d figure that out without an explanation.” “Fair enough… But now that you get it, enough talking.” All three of them turned on their heels. “Oh, Masatoooo…if you don’t miiiind…” “I’m certainly angry, too. But I can’t agree to fight Porta’s mom. I’m glad you told me what’s going on with her, though.” “Mm. I thought you’d say that, sonny. In the end, we’ll always be enemies.” “We’re going to defeat the Master like the enemy she is. You and your party have fun with this game. See you later.” The three of them tried to walk away… “““Mmphah!””” Thud! …but couldn’t. There were invisible walls around the squares. Having slammed face-first into them, all three turned around, teary-eyed and red-nosed. “You really can’t get it together, huh?” “Sh-shut up! It, uh, seems we have to clear the board game before we can leave… Masato Oosuki! Hand me the die!” “Who’s got it now?” “It’s my turn, so it’s with me! Here goes!” Wise was after Masato. She rolled a 6. “Argh!” And the die went to Medhi. “Anything but a 4. Please not a 4.” Medhi rolled a 4. “Erk…?!” So… “Wise, please squeeze in closer.” Push. “I can’t! Masato! You scoot over!” Flat. “Impossible! Stop pushing! Augh, look, we’re crushing Fratello!” “I got no issues being pressed up against you, sonny! No skin off my nose!” Flat. “Tough luck, Masatooo. You’re stuck between the two flat giiiirls.” Squish. “Sorella! Stop talking crap and gimme the die! Now!” “Whaaat? Aren’t I neeext?” Squeeze? “No, I am! If I don’t roll now, I’m gonna suffocate between your boobs…wait…was that your plan all along—?!”” There they were, on the eighth square of the game of traps. Who would be the first to break free? This was the start of a fierce battle between six—“…Gah…” “Amante’s ooout!”—five people crammed into a single square meter. Now, in the throne room. “If they somehow cooperated with one another, that would be my ideal outcome, but…it seems unlikely.” Dark-Mom Deathmother was watching the commotion through a crystal ball, her expression softening… But only momentarily. Her face quickly stiffened, and she looked away. “…You’ve escaped your bonds already? Impressive.” “It was extremely difficult. Your resolve is not easily overcome.” The floor beside the throne swelled up and transformed into Hahako. And yet Hahako smiled at Dark-Mom Deathmother, displaying no objection to her treatment. “…What?” “You don’t hate children, do you?” “No. I have no reason to. I don’t think of them as any kind of evil.” “You don’t hate your own child, either.” Dark-Mom Deathmother did not have an answer to that. Instead, she waved at hand at the crystal ball, changing what it displayed. Porta was dashing around the castle, placing stuffed animals in every corner. Dark-Mom Deathmother watched closely. Hahako’s smile grew even happier. “You are a mother.” “Stop. That point I must refute.” “Oh? Why?” “Liking children makes one a mother? That’s not how it works, is it? By that logic, you could become a mother regardless of blood ties, gender, or age. That’s just wrong.” “Oh my. You certainly are particular. Then…do you demand such precise responses from children as well?” “No. I demand nothing at all. I have no intention of raising them strictly to my own specifications.” “Very well. Then I’m at a loss. You fit no type of mother I’m aware of…and I’ve gathered data on all the mothers participating in this game.” “Of course. A mother like me would never consider participating in a game that required a mother’s presence.” “What…?” Dark-Mom Deathmother dismissed the image of Porta and rose from her throne. “Adventuring with one’s mother is absurd. The world inside the game ought to be for the children alone. A mother’s participation is unnecessary.” “I disagree. Adventuring with your mother is a wonderful thing.” “But doing so stymies the child’s growth.” “It does?” “Does a child learn everything in life at their mother’s side? That’s clearly not true.” “Well…no, but…” “Children form relationships with each other, experience things together, and learn much in the process. Hahako, listen closely.” Dark-Mom Deathmother turned to face Hahako. “Children grow up even if they have no mothers.” This was Dark-Mom Deathmother’s core belief. At the very least, in this moment, her faith in it was absolute. “Hahako, if you wish to make those three your children, go right ahead. I grant you permission. Is that your desire?” “I-it is, but…” “But consider whether they really need you as a mother. Consider if that really is in their best interests. If you make the wrong choice, it will be painful for all of you.” Seeing the troubled look on Hahako’s face, Dark-Mom Deathmother patted her on the shoulder. And then she headed for the private quarters behind the throne. “…Could I ask one last thing?” said Hahako. “Depends on the question.” “It seems like you are treating your own daughter harshly, trying to turn her against you. It seems you welcome the children seeing you as a nemesis and coming here to defeat you. What is it you’re planning? What are you thinking?” Dark-Mom Deathmother paused. “Everything I do is for the children. Everything and anything.” She spoke softly, as if affirming each and every word. Then she stepped through the door. All alone, Hahako was left trapped in her thoughts. “Children grow up even if they have no mothers…then perhaps it is better if I don’t become a mother. Am I not needed…?” This was starting to sound true. Hahako grew despondent… Hahako was a being who wished to become a mother. The strength of that feeling allowed her to use mom power every bit as powerful as the ultimate mother, Mamako. Mom power had three main sources: the mother herself, Mother Earth, and Mother Ocean. Hahako was not yet a mother herself, so her power was drawn from a close connection to the earth and the ocean. Which was why this was happening. A dreadnought warship flying a Catharn flag was patrolling the vast expanse of ocean. “Mm…? The waves…stopped?” A sailor peered over the prow, unable to believe his eyes. The water’s gentle lapping had ceased completely. This wasn’t a “calm.” The wind was still blowing. The ship’s sails were swollen with it, and the ship itself was progressing at a steady speed—only the motion of the water itself had ceased. Then… “Wh-what the—?!” screamed another sailor—this one was posted in the crow’s nest at the top of the sail. “What’s wrong? Report!” “There’s a depression in the sea straight ahead! Distance…crap! The depression’s getting bigger by the second. I can’t measure the distance! We gotta turn now or the ship will fall in!” “Got it! Hard to starboard! Emergency maneuvers! All hands, grab on to something! Don’t fall overboard!” The helmsman spun the wheel and the ship listed dangerously to the right, turning as tightly as it could. The massive depression in the water was closing in fast, big enough to swallow an entire town. The ship skirted the edges of it—and pulled away. With that narrow escape behind them, the ship remained on high alert. The depression had stopped expanding, so they began sailing around it. “Looks like it’s over… Oh! Is Her Majesty the Queen all right? Go check on her!” “I’m fine. It certainly was quite a lurch and took me by surprise, but as you can see, I escaped unscathed.” “Y-your Majesty…! Oh…” Queen of Catharn (the queen of Catharn) stepped out of the ship’s cabin. Even on deck, she wore a magnificent dress…but appeared to have been dining when the ship turned. The queen had a fork, a knife, and boiled lobster stuck in the curls of her hair. “Not entirely unscathed, I see… My humblest apologies.” “Don’t be ridiculous. I am perfectly unharmed. I would, however, appreciate an explanation.” “R-right…you see…” Unable to tear his eyes away from the lobster on her head—c’mon, get it together, don’t look—the sailor explained the situation. Queen of Catharn stared at the depression, deep in thought. “I did not imagine it being this dire… I was right to verify matters in person. We need to take drastic action. Let’s head back to the Catharn capital, please.” “Aye-aye, Your Majesty!” He saluted the lobs—no, the queen—and ran off down the deck. “Friction between parents and children the world over. Disturbances in Mother Earth and Mother Ocean. I imagine these phenomena are related somehow…which means the only one who can resolve this is…” The queen closed her eyes, and despite the urgency of the situation…smiled.