The Ogre race is a large-bodied species with one to three horns on their heads. Though not as massive as the Giants rumored to live far to the west across the sea, they are still considered among the strongest in the northwest plains, including Trot Celesta. Their innate size and strength ensure they can fight without concern for ordinary weapons. According to official military tactics of the Celesta Army, a fully armed standard human male or dwarf light infantry is rated as one, while an unarmored Ogre male is rated as 2.5. In other words, even if humans were heavily armed, it would be unwise from a military perspective for two or fewer soldiers to challenge a bare-handed Ogre. With proper armament, they could instantly jump to a rating of five, equivalent to a single charge by a cavalry knight. The bold fighting style of Ogres is the highlight of any battlefield. To think that an Ace Knight would be expected to hold their own against five fully armed Ogres is truly a testament to their rarity.
Back to topic.
The large size and sometimes monstrous appearance of the Ogre race tends to be seen as grotesque by humans, a fact that even Ogres themselves acknowledge. However, this does not mean Ogres think humans are beautiful. To them, human women are “too thin and weak to feel secure,” and they say, “They’re cute but don’t stir any lust. I can only feel affection for them like livestock.” Naturally, Ogres have their own standards of beauty. There is a balance in their sense of sexuality. Ogre women are not as muscular as men but are tall nonetheless. As a racial trait, their reproductive organs are particularly flexible, and they possess the sturdy bodies to house the average Ogre phallus, which can reach nearly 50 centimeters (20 inches) long, even moving their internal organs instinctively to make room. Additionally, women are generally more energetic, and some regions still retain matriarchal societies with polygamy. Taller, spirited women who can handle the men are considered “good women” by Ogres—quite the opposite of the ideal gentlewomen in modern human society. Even in Celesta, where inter-racial marriage is legally permitted, Ogres and humans rarely marry. Though they coexist in society, they are seen as a completely “other species,” unlike Elves or Dwarves.
Amidst all this, there is an Ogre youth who has managed to clear several hurdles and win the heart of a human woman. His name is Arnie Boyd. A rookie member of the Crossbow Corps stationed near the northern trading city of Basson in the Celesta military, his rank is junior soldier. This is the story of such a miraculous couple. Well, maybe I’m being too dramatic. It’s not exactly a miracle, but it’s still pretty impressive.
◇◇◇
In Basson, there are shared carriages that roam the town for passengers.
They don’t go fast, frequently stopping to let people on and off, but the fares are cheap and they’re flexible. It’s more like a public service for retired horses who’ve been retired from regular riding.
Sylvia MacLean asked to ride one of these shared carriages to the large arena on the opposite side of town.
That day, a magic show was scheduled at the arena.
By “magic,” I mean real magic, not stage tricks. Researchers from the Magic Department of the Capital University come annually to perform entertaining spells and tour the entire Celesta region to fund their research.
The annual magic show is Sylvia’s favorite event of the year.
”…♪”
“The young lady seems in high spirits today.”
In response to the old driver’s words, Sylvia smiled brightly.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to the magic show every year.”
“Ahh, now that you mention it, it’s about that time. I guess I’ll take the chance to deliver you and watch it myself.”
“Miss, don’t miss out on this!”
“Haha, well, as long as no other passengers join us on the way to the arena.”
Clatter clatter, rumble rumble.
The carriage leisurely made its way toward the arena.
That day, Arnie was on duty for shopping runs.
[USER INPUT]
Ernie and Kelly leapt up.
Not just the two of them were shocked—residents from all over the town peeked out and looked around in confusion.
Amidst it all, a carriage raced past at full speed, turning the corner.
“Hyaaah!!”
The driver fell off the carriage as it turned.
“What the hell!? What’s going on!?”
“The horse got spooked, wouldn’t listen to me… Owwww!!”
“Grandpa!?”
As Kelly helped him up (or rather, picked him up), the old man screamed in pain. It seemed his arm was broken.
“Crap… I need a doctor…”
“Wait, hold on! There’s still passengers in that carriage! A girl!”
“What!?”
Looking over, the carriage was careening wildly, almost on the verge of tipping over.
It was impossible to predict what would happen next. Kelly gritted his teeth.
“Damn it…”
“Captain! What should we do about that!?”
Ernie tapped Kelly on the shoulder.
Kelly looked at him sharply.
“Do you think you can pull it off?”
“We’re the strongest Celesta army, after all.”
“You said it.”
Ernie was young and still held dreams of the military.
For example, the idea that soldiers are the first to help citizens in danger—something that seemed obvious but was actually difficult.
Over time, serving in the military made him forget the very reason he’d picked up a sword in the first place.
Kelly laughed. The bull ogre’s face looked ferocious when he smiled, but Kelly found that smile reassuring beyond anything else.
“Let’s go!! Follow me, Boyd!!”
“Got it!!”
The two ogres started running. The townsfolk of Basson gasped at the sheer force of their massive bodies in full sprint.
The ogres’ massive bodies functioned as an advantage even when moving. The well-trained ogres’ sprinting was fast, their large lower halves making up for it. They couldn’t catch a bare horse, but they could manage to keep up with a heavy carriage. However, the delay of those few seconds made it hard to catch up. After running several hundred meters, the two were still too far away to reach. “Damn it… Boyd, if this keeps up, the main street’s gonna be ruined!” “Got it!!” “It’s all or nothing—fly, you idiot!” ”…Huh?”
Kelly’s words left Arnie momentarily speechless.
Of course they did. There was no way jumping would make him go any faster on this perfectly smooth road.
But Kelly, as the squad leader, was known for her quick thinking in moments like these. Despite her bovine appearance, her mind wasn’t dull like an ox’s.
“Let me throw you away, and you save the passengers from the carriage!”
“…Wha—what!?”
Even so, it was a ridiculous plan.
But Arnie did believe that Kelly was a capable squad leader. If she said she could do it, she probably could.
“…Got it, I’ll leave it to you!”
“Alright… Uuuuhhh, yeeeahhh!!”
Without hesitation, Kelly grabbed Arnie’s arm and flexed every muscle in her body. The sheer expansion made her massive frame look even larger.
Using that strength, she hurled Arnie forward with all her might.
“Oooh, ooooh, oooohhh!!”
Arnie spun around as he flew, landing seven meters above the main street with a perfect parabolic arc. With a thud, he crashed through the carriage roof—or rather, the roof caved in as he fell.
“Eek!!”
Inside the carriage, Sylvia MacLean screamed in terror. The carriage was already shaking from the horse’s panic, and suddenly an ogre had crashed through the roof.
But Arnie shook his head and pulled himself to his feet.
At the end of the main street was a tavern, and if the horse kept running at its current speed, it was almost certain to crash into it.
It was right there.
With his body half-hanging out of the carriage, Arnie saw it and panicked.
“Ahhh, ahhhhhh!!”
There was no time for thought. He reached out instinctively. Grabbing something soft—
Thud!!
A moment later, the horse tried to turn, but the carriage couldn’t follow, and just as expected, it tipped over and crashed into the wall.
◇◇◇
Two days later, Arnie woke up in a soft bed at the town’s clinic. “Boyd! Boyd’s awake!” In the fluffy bed at the town’s clinic, Arnie moved slightly. Everything creaked, but it seemed he was still in one piece. Seeing Arnie like this, Squad Leader Diane let out a relieved sigh. Hearing that she had been worried about him, Arnie suddenly welled up with tears and muttered, “I’m sorry.” Hearing that, the first person to rush into the room and hug Arnie was— “Thank goodness…!!” Sylvia MacLean. The girl he had saved.
Arnie’s final act was to protect Sylvia unharmed.
During the collision with the wall and the crushing of the carriage, Arnie’s massive hand had managed to protect Sylvia. When Sylvia woke up, the first thing she saw was Arnie, holding her gently while half of the mortar wall collapsed around them. And then… “Um… I’ll take care of you, Mr. Boyd!” “No, it’s fine. Sorry about that.” “You’re my life savior, so let me do it!!” ”…Yeah, sure.” Reluctantly, Sylvia ended up helping with everything from meals to even small tasks for the next ten days.
And then, a month later…
“Captain Isaac. Can’t we switch tomorrow’s cleaning duty with another day?”
“Oh? What’s up, Boyd? You planning to go on a date with that human girl?”
”…Don’t be surprised, but… yeah, I guess so.”
”…………What!?”
Kelly stood up and shouted as the other members of the corps gathered around.
“What’s going on? Explain, Isaac!”
“Yeah, sure, Smiley. It seems this idiot is going on a date with a human girl.”
“No way.”
“Yep, that’s right.”
“What the hell is going on, Boyd!?”
“I-I don’t know either! I’m as clueless as you are!”
The next day.
Dressed in Kelly’s old seal leather jacket, the accessories Andy had made like the belt and bracelet, a clean shirt freshly cleaned by Diane, and the cool-looking shoes picked out by Anzeros, Arnie was waiting for Sylvia at their meeting spot.
”…………”
I think I might be being teased a little.
But the high-quality parchment used to mock me was expensive, and the letter written on it was far too earnest.
——Arnie-kun. It’s an invitation to go on a date.
Let’s head to the arena together from noon on Sunday.
I believe you’ll come, so I’ll be waiting for you in front of that tavern.
Sylvia
The wall of the tavern still hadn’t been repaired. Painful memories resurfaced.
Arnie’s only horn had snapped in half during the collision, breaking off from the middle.
”…My horn… is it here?”
Suddenly thinking of it, I approached the crumbling wall. Carefully examining the wall and the ground, I spotted what I was looking for, partially buried in the dirt.
”…Haha, there it is.”
“What?”
[User Input]
[Translator Note: The following text is a dialogue between two characters. It is meant to be read aloud, so please keep that in mind when translating.]
Character 1: “Yeah, totally. If Arnie-kun had died back then, I probably would’ve hated magic shows for the rest of my life.”
Character 2: ”…We’re not gonna die anytime soon, you know. You were the one who almost died, Sylvia-san.”
Character 1: “Yeah… But, you know, I’m kind of grateful for it. If that hadn’t happened, I never would’ve met Arnie-kun.”
Character 1: “Arnie-kun, your face is all red. You’re shrinking down and scratching your head like that.”
Character 2: “Even Sylvia-san’s face is turning red. Your reaction is so obvious and naive it’s almost embarrassing.”
Character 1: “We spent a few minutes just staring at each other like that, but to break the tension, Sylvia-san changed the subject.”
Character 2: “By the way, when I was little, I couldn’t see anything even when I came to the arena. I always had to climb onto my dad’s shoulders.”
Character 2: “When you’re on his shoulders, the whole world looks completely different. I kept pestering him to let me up until I got pretty big.”
Character 1: “Hmm… I see.”
Character 2: “Smile… Can you put me on your shoulders now?”
Character 2: “No way? Arnie-kun, I thought someone as tall as you might be able to carry me.”
Character 1: “N-no, well, it’s not like carrying one person is a big deal for a human… But, uh, what if I touch your butt or something?”
Character 2: “Pfft! Ahahahaha!!”
Character 2: “Arnie-kun said something so ridiculous that Sylvia-san burst out laughing. Arnie-kun looked confused, wondering if he’d said something weird.”
Character 1: “It’s fine, it’s fine! The shoulder ride doesn’t count! Here, get on, get on!”
Character 2: “Okay, okay… Then let me up, please.”
Character 1: “Alright, here I go…”
Character 1: “I tried to keep my hips and knees stable as I gently lifted Sylvia-san onto my shoulders.”
Character 2: “Wow… This is amazing!”
Character 1: ”…Uh, um, well, you know…”
Character 1: “Arnie-kun was holding his head, so Sylvia-san’s chest pressed against the back of his head. He was feeling a little distracted. After a few seconds, he noticed Sylvia-san’s skirt was a bit short and realized he’d accidentally expose her underwear to everyone in the arena. Flustered, he started shifting his body in tiny movements.”
Character 2: “His movements looked just like he was rocking me to sleep. I giggled like a little kid.”
Character 1: “They kept doing that for a while, but then Sylvia-san suddenly started patting Arnie-kun’s head.”
Character 2: “Arnie-kun waited to see what she’d say, and from above his head, he heard her curious voice.”
Character 2: ”…Arnie-kun, your horn… the left one… it’s not there. Was it always like that?”
Character 1: “No. It was for a while.”
Character 1: “It wasn’t that long ago, but Arnie-kun decided to play it cool and say ‘a while.’ He felt like using the word ‘while’ made him seem more mature and important.”
Character 1: “She seemed to be waiting for him to continue, so Arnie-kun cleared his throat.”
Character 1: “He didn’t really think it was something he should talk about with others, but since Sylvia-san liked him, he thought it was okay. It was a good way to kill some time anyway.”
Character 1: ”…I’m from an Ogre colony near the border with Affilm. The Dragon Palace was pretty close.”
Character 2: “Mhm, mhm…”
Character 1: “Arnie-kun gently placed Sylvia-san on his shoulders, trying to keep his hips and knees stable.”
Character 2: “Wow… This is amazing!”
Character 1: ”…Uh, um, well, you know…”
Character 1: “Arnie-kun was holding his head, so Sylvia-san’s chest pressed against the back of his head. He was feeling a little distracted. After a few seconds, he noticed Sylvia-san’s skirt was a bit short and realized he’d accidentally expose her underwear to everyone in the arena. Flustered, he started shifting his body in tiny movements.”
Character 2: “His movements looked just like he was rocking me to sleep. I giggled like a little kid.”
Character 1: “They kept doing that for a while, but then Sylvia-san suddenly started patting Arnie-kun’s head.”
Character 2: “Arnie-kun waited to see what she’d say, and from above his head, he heard her curious voice.”
Character 2: ”…Arnie-kun, your horn… the left one… it’s not there. Was it always like that?”
Character 1: “No. It was for a while.”
Character 1: “It wasn’t that long ago, but Arnie-kun decided to play it cool and say ‘a while.’ He felt like using the word ‘while’ made him seem more mature and important.”
Character 1: “She seemed to be waiting for him to continue, so Arnie-kun cleared his throat.”
Character 1: “He didn’t really think it was something he should talk about with others, but since Sylvia-san liked him, he thought it was okay. It was a good way to kill some time anyway.”
Character 1: ”…I’m from an Ogre colony near the border with Affilm. The Dragon Palace was pretty close.”
Character 2: “Mhm, mhm…”
Character 1: “Sylvia-san climbed onto Arnie-kun’s shoulders, and her world changed dramatically.”
Character 2: “Wow… This is amazing!”
Character 1: ”…Uh, um, well, you know…”
Character 1: “Arnie-kun was holding his head, so Sylvia-san’s chest pressed against the back of his head. He was feeling a little distracted. After a few seconds, he noticed Sylvia-san’s skirt was a bit short and realized he’d accidentally expose her underwear to everyone in the arena. Flustered, he started shifting his body in tiny movements.”
Character 2: “His movements looked just like he was rocking me to sleep. I giggled like a little kid.”
Character 1: “They kept doing that for a while, but then Sylvia-san suddenly started patting Arnie-kun’s head.”
Character 2: “Arnie-kun waited to see what she’d say, and from above his head, he heard her curious voice.”
Character 2: ”…Arnie-kun, your horn… the left one… it’s not there. Was it always like that?”
Character 1: “No. It was for a while.”
Character 1: “It wasn’t that long ago, but Arnie-kun decided to play it cool and say ‘a while.’ He felt like using the word ‘while’ made him seem more mature and important.”
Character 1: “She seemed to be waiting for him to continue, so Arnie-kun cleared his throat.”
Character 1: “He didn’t really think it was something he should talk about with others, but since Sylvia-san liked him, he thought it was okay. It was a good way to kill some time anyway.”
Character 1: ”…I’m from an Ogre colony near the border with Affilm. The Dragon Palace was pretty close.”
Character 2: “Mhm, mhm…”
Character 1: “Sylvia-san climbed onto Arnie-kun’s shoulders, and her world changed dramatically.” Character 2: “Wow… This is amazing!” Character 1: ”…Uh, um, well, you know…” Character 1: “Arnie-kun was holding his head, so Sylvia-san’s chest pressed against the back of his head. He was feeling a little distracted. After a few seconds, he noticed Sylvia-san’s skirt was a bit short and realized he’d accidentally expose her underwear to everyone in the arena. Flustered, he started shifting his body in tiny movements.” Character 2: “His movements looked just like he was rocking me to sleep. I giggled like a little kid.” Character 1: “They kept doing that for a while, but then Sylvia-san suddenly started patting Arnie-kun’s head.” Character 2: “Arnie-kun waited to see what she’d say, and from above his head
Translate the following Japanese text to English. Paragraphs are separated by ”
”. Output each translated paragraph with the same delimiter in between, preserving the exact number of paragraphs. Do not add explanations. Do not merge or split paragraphs.
“I once saved a dragon up there. They were really grateful and gave me one of their treasures as thanks.” “That’s amazing!” Dragons are the most powerful and solitary race among all species. They live isolated in secret villages called Dragon Palaces, interacting with no other races. Their treasures are astronomically valuable, making them the envy of adventurers. “I brought it back to the colony… but they assumed I’d stolen it from the dragon and got really mad at me.” “Huh…?” “As punishment, they yanked out my horn. It hurt so bad, like I was going to die.”
It was a coincidence that Arnie saved the dragon. He was hunting in the mountains when he came across a young dragon who had fallen ill and collapsed in front of him.
Dragons are a different species from wyverns. They have intelligence on par with humans and gorillas, and they usually live in human-like forms. If they lived in their natural forms, even the largest Dragon Palace wouldn’t be enough to accommodate them.
Seeing the young dragon like that, Arnie, who was still a child himself, was both awed by the legendary race and brave enough to carry it back to the Dragon Palace on his shoulders.
The dragon, grateful for his kindness, presented him with one of their treasures—a beautiful gem called a dragon’s pearl, an indestructible jewel that never tarnished or cracked.
When Arnie returned with it, the adults were stunned.
It was unthinkable that a dragon would give such a valuable treasure to a child. They immediately assumed he’d stolen it and sneaked into the Dragon Palace to take it.
Then, without consulting anyone, they decided to punish him.
As Arnie screamed that he wasn’t lying, they pinned him down and tore out his horn as punishment. Then they sent him up the mountain to apologize to the dragon. To a young Arnie, it felt like they were offering him as a sacrifice.
The pain from having his horn torn out was excruciating, and the rain poured down on him. It was a terrible night.
Stumbling back to the Dragon Palace, he did as he was told and apologized… only to find that the dragon had been crying in apology to him. They said they’d done something terrible, asking for forgiveness. But Arnie knew they’d only given him the treasure in the first place.
Still, seeing them cry like that made him incredibly happy.
“But I couldn’t go back after being offered as a sacrifice. So I had the dragon heal my wound and left the Dragon Palace to join the army. …I’m sure everyone back home thinks I died.”
“Haha… well, I’m glad I got to see such a cute side of you, Sylvia-san.”
”…………”
“I really do like other races more than ogres. When people from other races are kind to me, it makes me so happy. It feels like I have a right to live. Ah, but I never thought someone as beautiful as you would like me, Sylvia-san, so today I’ve been over the moon, haha.”
”……I’m sorry!!”
“Huh…?”
Suddenly being apologized to from above, Arnie was taken aback. He’d thought the conversation had gotten a bit emotional, but he hadn’t expected to be apologized to like this.
But Sylvia continued, gently stroking his broken right horn with her finger and clinging to his large head as she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Sniff… I’m sorry… I… I just liked you because you were big, and I thought it was fine to say I liked you… sniff… but now my horn’s broken, and it’s all my fault for breaking it… it’s the last one we had left…”
“It’s fine, really. The root’s still there, so the right one will grow back.”
“But… sniff… I didn’t know… I didn’t realize… how much I liked you… how much I liked you… I’m sorry… I’ll learn to like you properly… Arnie-kun, I’ll learn to like you properly again…”
“K-keep calm, keep calm. I-I don’t need things to be proper or anything like that. I’m just happy you like me, Sylvia-san.”
“A-Arnie-kunnnn! Waaaaaahhhhh!!”
Sylvia was overwhelmed and started crying uncontrollably without any explanation.
Arnie was in trouble. Really in trouble.
She kept sobbing until sunset.
“I’m sorry… I just felt so bad for you, Arnie-kun, and I lost my head.” “Haha… well, it’s fine. I’m glad I got to see such a cute side of you, Sylvia-san.”
The truth is, it had been behind her head the whole time and she couldn’t see it.
Sylvia sniffled and wiped her nose, then frowned with a serious expression as she looked up at Arnie.
“Um, so… I’ll say it again. I really like you, Arnie-kun. I’ve come to like you.”
“Yes.”
”…So, um…”
”……………”
She faltered. Sylvia, still blushing, lowered her head, while Arnie also turned red and stared blankly.
Then, at the edge of Arnie’s wide field of vision, he spotted a familiar bull-like face.
”!?”
Kelly. And at her feet, Andy.
Andy was sitting with his legs crossed, thumb pointed down in a silent booing gesture. It was really immature.
Kelly was thrusting her fist toward her face, going “Go! Get out of here!” as a signal.
Arnie was dumbfounded by what they were doing, but after thinking for a while, he finally understood the meaning behind Kelly’s “go” gesture.
Yes. Arnie had to move on. This was the moment.
“Um…”
Sylvia’s face snapped up at Arnie’s voice.
Arnie crouched down and looked her in the eye, speaking seriously.
“I also really like you, Sylvia-san… I mean, I love you. Um, I want us to be lovers.”
”…Yes!”
Sylvia quickly closed the distance and pressed her delicate lips against the massive lips of the ogre in a kiss.
The sunset cut through the ridges of the mountains, casting a gentle darkness over the lovers.
◇◇◇
“Captain Smison.” “Hm? Oh, it’s just Private Boyd here, got a girlfriend, huh?” “Uh… um, about that girlfriend of mine…” “Tch. What is it, you want another one of those custom accessories? I’m not good with this stuff, so it won’t work more than once.” “No, well, it’s an accessory, but…” ”…Ah, right. That’s fine. Just wait here for a bit.”
Sylvia usually works as a fry cook at a side street stall in Basson City. That night, Arnie showed up unexpectedly, without an appointment. “Excuse me, the sign is… Oh, Arnie-kun!” “Sylvia-san. Um… so, here, take this.” Suddenly, Sylvia was presented with a small accessory. It was a necklace Arnie had made by painting his horn with varnish, drilling a hole, and threading it with a thin chain.
“Eh… What’s this?” “Yes. I want… my horn to be carried by the person I love most.”
“Whew… Damn it. Listen up, you guys. I’m stuck here for now, but back home there’s this amazing beauty! Big boobs! A waist that’s all tight and curvy! And she’s totally in love with me! Plus, she’s a half-elf!” [Commentary] “Ah, yes, yes. Here we go again, the story of Smison’s imaginary girlfriend.” [Waitress] “I’ve got the bill ready, so you’d better hurry up.” [Smison] “So it’s not imaginary! It’s not like Boyd has a real girlfriend or anything! Listen to me, you idiots!” The Crossbow Corps was as peaceful as ever tonight, with people from all sorts of races exchanging drinks.