Maou no Hajimekata

Translator: DarkHeartedAlchemist

Are you really going to take all of that with you?

Of course.

Aur nodded to the words of Zana, who was amazed at how fast he managed to gather all of the required items, but at the same time still a little skeptical due to how roundabout some of them were.

A live Salamander as a substitute for Fur of the Fire Rat.

Dragon Neck Ball made out of polished dragon bone.

A replica of Fruits of the Branch of Perpetual Youth made out of expensive jewelry.

Melizands favorite bowl instead of Buddhas Stone Bowl.

And a creature that was hard to describe no matter how hard you looked at it acting as the Swallows Cowry.

Seeing Aur with all that items in tow was strangely amusing, if not downright funny.

Now all they had to do was hope that the Moon Goddess accepts those gifts without any complaints. To tell you the truth, Zana had her worries, but if there was one thing she learned from the time she has spend with Aur and his men is that they were all utterly unpredictable, and the best she could do was to expect the unexpected.

*Sigh* I guess theres nothing more we can do at this point. Well, shall we be on our way?

Admittedly Zana still regards the Demon Lord as a thoroughly unpleasant individual. He is a bad, suspicious guy who absolutely cannot be trusted and who doesnt trust anyone. But at the same time, he is a reliable master who can weasel his way out of any pinch he finds himself in. So if theres anyone who can persuade Marina to help them, its definitely him.

This is unacceptable.

EEEEEEEEHHHHHH????!!!!!

So you can probably imagine Zanas surprise when it turned out that Marina rejected Aurs offerings after looking at them just once.

Why are you acting so surprised? Did you really think I was going to accept those baubles instead of the bone fide treasures I requested you to obtain?

However, out of all the people gathered in her castle, Marina was the one who was the most surprised at Zanas overreaction.

Did you really expect that farce to succeed? Zana, I believe you know this already, but I am always watching you whenever you are not using my power, so I knew what you were doing ever since you left my this castle a month ago. But I have to say, even I didnt expect how big of a mess this was going to turn into.

Marina said as she took a golden branch with jade leaves into her hands.

I mean, what even is this? This is not at all what I asked you to get me. Just some cheap, man-made imitations with no value at all.

Then Aur, who was being silent up to this point finally opened his mouth to speak, but

Please refrain from saying anything. I borrowed Zanas ears to listen, so I know you are using her safety as a shield.

Marina pointed her staff at Aur to intimidate him, but Aur knew she was not going to kill him. If she really knew what was going on, she would have done so a long time ago. Not to mention that he was a protector of her priestess.

I beg to disagree, Oh Moon Goddess. I believe I have brought exactly what you wanted. Take those Fruits of the Branch of Perpetual Youth for example. The legends of yore describe them exactly as looking as if they were made of gold, jade and pearls processed by the finest of craftsman.

Wha?! What kind of impertinent reasoning is that?! Then what about other things?! Like this?! This doesnt even look like a rat! Are you too blind to tell the difference between a rat and a lizard?!

Marina points at the Salamander and asks.

This is a rare beast specimen. The so called Fire Rat of the legend has never actually been seen as there are no written records of such a creature actually existing, and since this little one here is roughly the same size as a rat, then whoever wrote that legend must have mistook the baby Salamander for a rat.

Aur replied calmly.

T-Then how about the Dragon Neck Ball?! This is just a processed Dragons bone! And it doesnt even look like a ball!

Well what did you expect? The Dragons who bore such balls on their necks have been long extinct since times of the demon War, and their bones crumbled to dust. And even if they were alive today, no hero would be capable of slaying them, so this is as good as we can get.

..Buddhas Stone Bowl?

The one here has been used on a daily basis by a saint. Exactly which saint was using it should be irrelevant.

Then then what about Swallows Cowry?! Surely a creature bearing such things cannot be called a treasure!

My Goddess, that was rude of you to say. I agree that this creature is not the most beautiful being in the world, but it certainly is one of the few of its kind, which in a sense makes him a treasure, dont you think? Because personally think that my disciple did quite a good job with it.

Dont you dare telling me youve made such an abomination yourself!

Unable to stand it anymore, Marina finally snapped.

Not I, Oh Goddess. His disciple did. I believe he said so just a minute ago.

Your. Disciple. Made this?!

Zana delivered a splendid tsukkomi, which only made Marina even more confused.

If thats how you see my gifts, then allow me to ask you a question, Goddess of the Moon.

Aur stood up from his knees and looked Marina straight in the face.

What are the criteria you use to define if something is real?

This question was so absurd that Marina couldnt find the words to reply to him.

My Dungeon is the microcosm of the entire world. Everything is there and everything can be created in it. So as far as Im concerned, every single one of the things my subordinates collected can be considered as a real treasure.

He spoke from the bottom of his heart. Or at least that was how it sounded to Zana.

So if you deny my statement, if you think that those are not the real treasures, then show me the proof that I am wrong. Show me the genuine treasures.

Wha.? That That is

With that one single sentence, Aurs and Marinas roles have been reversed.

It should be easy with your abilities, right?

Zana recalled that Aur has asked her a similar question in the past, and it threw her out of balance just like the Goddess was thrown off balance now.

If something like that really exists, that is.

Aur delivered the finishing blow, knowing full well that Marinas power was not able to do it. That was Marinas fate this time: to be made aware that there are problems in this world that even her abilities are not able to solve.

Very well. I shall accept your offerings as the genuine ones.

Did she made that decision because of her power, or because she has recognized Aurs potential?

Zana, I leave helping him in your hands.

Marina gives Zana an order while sighing heavily.

Understo.

No.

Aurs voice blocked Zanas confirmation.

Marina, I want you to be the one to do it, no one else.

You want me?

Marina blinked her eyes a few times and gave him a sharp look.

That means you dont want Zana to act as a conduit and want to receive my blessing directly? I regret to disappoint you, but my power as the Moon Goddess cannot be transmitted to men. Im sorry, but Ill have to give it to one of your subordinates. Does that satisfy you?

Not in the slightest.

From atop her throne, Marina looked down on Aur, thoroughly displeased.

So what exactly do you mean? Say it clearly so I can understand your intentions.

Didnt I said so at the very beginning?

Aur said while climbing the steps to Marinas throne.

What I want is Marina, the Goddess of the Moon.

WHAT THE FUCK?!!!!!!!

Wha. YOU FOOL! Do you even realize what youre saying?!

Knowing exactly where all of this was going, Zana kicked Aur, but he didnt even budge an inch when it connected. The one who got more damaged by that was Zana herself.

So you want to make me your woman.

That is on my agenda, yes.

Marina narrowed her eyes.

Dont you think you are getting too arrogant for your own good, human?

Not at all. After all, I have already bedded the Goddesses of the Sea, volcano and the Boundary.

Aur pointed at the items behind him.

You admitted that my offerings to you are genuine. Can I take that as the sign of your consent?

You can. After all, I did gave you my word.

Marina grabs the edges of her clothing and lets them slide off of her while holding the chest area with her other hand.

LADY MARINA..?!

Zana couldnt believe wat was happening in front of her very eyes.

That is.

She lets her clothes fall to the ground and bares her breasts before Aur with a wicked smile.

. If youll be able to enjoy such a body at all.

In the place where Marinas womanly attributes began to bulge, was a deep, ugly scar.