Everything is Anime! Chapter 100: Fantasy (Dropped) (Patreon)

Erica and Liliana were roused by an alarm clock.

After everything that happened the previous day—accompanying Hikaru and Est at dinner, then waiting until they’d retired for the night—they still didn’t get any rest themselves.

They hurriedly wrote their reports, each sending updates to their respective magic associations. Since those two associations were traditionally at odds, neither side would concede even an inch.

For her part, Liliana, having spent more time around Hikaru, now harbored a far more favorable impression of him.

Compared to her grandfather Kranjcar’s earlier plan for her to serve Marquis Voban, it was like night and day.

Of course, it wasn’t that Hikaru seemed particularly “nice” or anything, but solely the fact he was willing to help ordinary people in dire need showed he had the sense of responsibility to step in.

Nor was it some contrived heroics. As she’d overheard from him, “The sun shines freely,” so to speak. He saved people not out of duty, conviction, or pity—rather, like the sun that shines on everything equally, dust motes included.

That notion set off a burst of inspiration for Liliana. She hurriedly scribbled something in her notebook:

“The sun is great because it can illuminate even the smallest speck of dust.”

Re-reading that line, Liliana grew more pleased by the second. She only snapped her notebook shut at the sound of footsteps behind her. Seeing the visitor was Erica, the starry brightness in Liliana’s eyes chilled in an instant.

“Good morning, Lili,” said the sunny blond, holding a cup of coffee. She, like Liliana, had pulled an all-nighter. Spotting her childhood friend acting so guarded, Erica figured Liliana was brooding over something, but she didn’t try to pry. After a light remark, Erica went to check on Hikaru’s room.

It was seven in the morning. As a proper knight, she needed to stand by for her lord’s commands. Yet the moment she arrived, she saw the door to his room was slightly ajar, so from the hallway she could clearly see what was happening inside.

Dressed in a simple white shirt, looking quite at ease in his chair, Hikaru was enjoying breakfast with Est. With his almost unrealistically handsome face—like the finest jade—just sitting there, he was poetry in motion. His lips, both defined and refined, carried a keen edge yet a gentle harmony.

And it was from those lips, with a calm voice, he’d once said, “Watch closely; behold the true brilliance of the sun.” Anyone who didn’t swoon with a little shriek would be considered rude, Liliana inwardly thought. Erica herself had to steady her breathing, not sure why her heart was beating so fast. Could this be some Authority influencing her?

But she refocused the moment she noticed the food. It didn’t look like hotel fare, and that alarmed her. Something like this was normally a duty they, as knights, should handle.

“Lord… I mean, Sir Hikaru, if there’s anything you need, you only have to tell us,” Erica said.

Before Hikaru could answer, Est, immersed in her meal, raised her head and shook it.
“The hotel’s food… isn’t good. It doesn’t taste nearly as good as Hikaru’s cooking.”

“Huh? Lord Hikaru… is also a skilled chef?” Erica was caught off guard, but the enticing smell in the air didn’t lie.

“Skilled?” Hikaru shook his head. “You mean more than a professional.”

He gestured toward the food. “Would you like some? Est can’t finish all of it.”

Though he’d extended the invitation, the two girls were too reserved to simply say yes. So, taking advantage of that moment, they started reporting the latest news—while also trying to restrain the drool in their mouths.

Of course, most of it was what Hikaru had already guessed. Upon confirming he was a god-slayer, countless magic associations had approached Erica and Liliana, hoping for a chance to meet this new “King.”

The reasons were simple: some feared getting caught in crossfire, so they wanted to forge ties, while others hoped to pledge loyalty for a brighter future.

But Erica had politely declined them all… She knew what Hikaru did at the Roman airport, so she wasn’t about to schedule any grand receptions without his go-ahead.

Even so, she had to give him the heads-up. Hikaru wasn’t omniscient, but he could guess their motives: people are moths to the flame, always drawn to the sun’s warmth. That was basic human nature. Let Erica handle it; from the original story, he knew she had more than enough acumen for such tasks.

Erica was thrilled he entrusted her with authority over such matters. It meant he recognized her. Though the Seven Sisters Alliance was nominally sworn to the Sword King, Salvatore Doni, nobody really felt safe in his half-baked hands.

He had never shown real interest in protecting them. On the other hand, Liliana was a bit antsy, worried that if Erica took over, she might be “cast aside.” She couldn’t help picturing Erica and Hikaru flirting and leaving her behind.

But Hikaru gave her no time to fret, turning to her and saying, “Liliana, you’ll come along with me to Japan next. I want you to handle the travel details.”

In a flash, she went from despair to delight. “Y-Yes, Lord Hikaru, I understand!”

Erica grew curious. Ever since he stepped into the public eye, Hikaru’s movements were: first New Delhi—two Heretic Gods slain—then he flew to Sardinia, where no one even confirmed any gods, yet he killed two more Heretic Gods.

Now he wanted to go to Japan, a nation with little magic presence and certainly no Campione to protect it. Why there? Did that mean another Heretic God was lurking?

At that moment, noise arose in the hallway outside.

~~~

[Translator's Note]:

I'm really sorry, everyone.

I'm going to drop this fanfic. The reason is simple—I’ve gotten bored reading and translating it for quite some time now. I’ve only been pushing through because of the likes and hearts on the chapters.

I truly apologize.

Also, the Melting Pot Concept is dropped for the same reason.

If you joined my Patreon for this series, I’m really sorry.

Moving forward, I’ll be prioritizing projects I genuinely enjoy, for the sake of the longevity of me being a translator. If I don’t even like what I’m working on, I’ll end up resenting it sooner or later.

Thank you so much for understanding.