summerpeanut

Chapter 22 : Reunion

TL:SummerPeanut

TLN: Labyrinth saturation -> labyrinth overflow. Just a random thought but don’t we all just hate Mr.Cliff Hanger? And thanks for the support Gaven.

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I have been in this world for more than six years now.

It was a short life but I did my best. I don't intend to give up but I can see the situation.

I can't just run away alone. Even if the Knights came to help in this situation, it would take them an hour to get here. And against this horde…even the Knights.

Why is this happening…

I had heard that there were a lot of magic beasts recently.

That was why Count Beetle has been sending his knights all the way to this labyrinth city of Grantham. There are more than 120 Knights of Beetle so they are divided into groups of 20 people each, and they dive every day into the labyrinth in rotation.

The Knights dive into the labyrinth to thin out the magic beasts but they are not as skilled as the adventurers at attacking the labyrinth.

As for those adventurers, all D-rank and above adventurers have gone west to make a name for themselves leveraging the war against the kingdom of Barx in the west.

The labyrinth here was only built shortly before I was born, and there are only goblins inside.

This is why many E-rank adventurers flocked to this town and this town became very lively.

This labyrinth is known to be easy but just the third floor is said to be made with pure malice.

There is a spring room where goblin generals keep popping up apparently.

It seems that they are so strong that a C-rank party can barely defeat them and there was no party in this town that could conquer that spring room. Once in the past, a famous B-rank party from another city came to the Grantham Labyrinth, and it seems that this party of six C-rank adventurers was able to conquer the spring room but they did not return from the room that seemed to be the boss room.

Later, the Beetle Knights also attacked this labyrinth but they were too busy dealing with the spring room and did not make it to the boss room.

The remaining E-rank adventurers in the town also dived into the labyrinth but they only went as far as the safe zone on the second level. This is because beyond that point sometimes there are several goblin generals and their lives would be in danger.

The Knights are thinning the herd beyond that point until they reach the spring room on the third level.

Such a situation continued until last month. However, something unusual happened.

Magic beasts began to appear frequently in the vicinity of the labyrinth city of Grantham.

The magic beasts are kobolds, which are not a threat to Grantham, where there are many E-rank adventurers. However, there were many of them.

The Knights were more busy exterminating the kobolds than attacking the labyrinth. They had to defeat about 100 of them every day or they would come to invade Grantham.

It is said that the dispatch of 20 men from the Knights to Grantham every day is straining them quite a bit.

There are also other cities besides Grantham and it is not only around Grantham that the number of magic beasts is increasing.

Not to mention there is also the city’s security to consider.

Nevertheless, Count Beetle continued to send the Knights.

And about three hours ago it happened.

Labyrinth overflow (labyrinths). A large number of goblins are coming out of the labyrinth.

None of the adventurers in Grantham have ever experienced labyrinth overflow.

Of course, neither have we. So at first, we thought it was nothing serious because there were only a few goblins.

That was a mistake. If only we had prepared to run away right then…

In response to the labyrinth overflow (labyrinths), the adventurers immediately went to defeat the goblins. It was about an hour after the labyrinth overflow (labyrinths) that we finished defeating about 100 goblins that came out on the ground.

I think there were about 50 adventurers, but no one was seriously injured.

I was, let's say, supporting adventurers with heals.

Yes, I can use precious Holy magic, and I think I have quite a lot of MP.

After I had healed all the adventurers, the second wave came.

I used the heals thinking there would be only one wave but that was a mistake.

The second wave doubled in size about 200 of them came out of the labyrinth.

And now there are goblin mages and hobgoblins too.

The adventurers were on the defensive. They were using heals to cover them but it’s at the point where I could run out of MP at any moment.

Residents saw the second wave and begin to evacuate.

We thought we might be able to do something if the evacuees asked for help from the Knights who were supposed to be outside the city. Or so we believed until this moment…

The city's inhabitants fled out of the checkpoint to the west.

The goblins followed them and the western checkpoint was overflowing with goblins.

The residents who failed to flee headed in a southwest direction.

Where we were.

It seemed that this southwest point was the only place in the city where there were counterattacks.

It's only natural since most of the adventurers were here.

We had probably killed about 100 of them, and the remaining 100 were finally coming into view.

But there were a few hobgoblins and goblin mages left so we couldn’t let up just yet.

Just when I was thinking so.

The third wave came.

Counting only the hobgoblins and goblin mages, they numbered 300.

Not only the residents who had come here to take refuge but also the adventurers were in despair.

I prayed that my father and mother had escaped.

My father and mother have been kind to me since I came into this world.

My second father and mother.

And then I heard a voice I should not have heard.

“Clarice, are you safe? Your dad will definitely hold the ground here. It's going to be all right, don't worry.”

“Thank God. Clarice, you're safe. We'll take your place, don't worry.”

My father and mother were too late to escape. Or perhaps they couldn't escape without me.

My father and mother went in front of me.

The front line had been under the care of the adventurers but they were about to be breached.

Some of them had already been seriously wounded and were retreating.

As the adventurers retreated further and further, they got surrounded by goblins.

And it took less than half an hour before we were completely surrounded.

There were only about 20 adventurers left who can still fight.

We were in the southwest corner of the city, with the adventurers guarding the north side and the residents guarding the east side from our point of view.

On the front line of the residents were my father and mother. Behind me are over 100 wounded.

And on this east side, which is guarded by the residents, there is a seriously injured man. My father!

My father's right arm was broken. And his stomach was bleeding.

“Dad! Are you alright? Wait, I'll heal you now.”

“Don't. The people you need to heal now are adventurers. Heal the adventurers first.

That way, you will be saved. The residents will be saved.”

Then my mother also retreated, bleeding from her stomach.

Apparently, the goblins had already confirmed their victory and were planning to slowly torment her to death.

The evidence of this was that they were attacking while laughing ‘Gyah gyah gyah’.

I healed my father and mother without hesitation.

The wounds on my father's and mother's stomachs were healed.

My father's right arm did not but he survived so I stopped healing him after one use.

An adventurer saw this and said.

“If you can still use the heal, please use it on the adventurers.”

Then the residents.

“I am more seriously wounded than you, so heal me first!”

“Me first! No, it's me! …”

I knew this would happen.

But I couldn't abandon my father and mother.

In the meantime, the humans started a domestic dispute with each other.

Some of them, to the point of using violence, tried to have me heal them.

It was someone from the nobility. He told me that he’s a baron and he should be prioritized above all.

After confirming that the nobleman had only abrasions and that he was okay, I used what little MP I had left for the adventurer.

Then the nobleman hit me on the cheek.

“How DARE you! I sentence you to execution for impunity!”

Then the nobleman slashed at me with his sword.

I can’t believe what he had just done, and moreover, I was surprised that he even slapped me on the cheek so I could only freeze in place.

I closed my eyes and prepared myself but I didn’t receive his slash yet.

‘Huh?’ When I opened my eyes, I saw that my father had taken my place and was cut.

And my mother was right in front of me.

The two of them used their flesh as a wall.

I immediately healed my father.

It stopped the bleeding a little but not completely.

Then I cast heal again but it did not activate.

I had only 1-9 MP left.

Father who was cut down said to the nobleman.

“Please forgive my daughter. I beg your magnanimity...”

“You plan to interfere with me too huh! You and your daughter will both be executed for disrespect! Apologize with your death!”

When the sword was swung down.

The nobleman was blown away.

I was startled and looked towards the boy I didn't know…he was there before I knew it and had blown the nobleman away.

A boy about my age.

A boy taller than me.

And he was a boy who looked somewhat nostalgic.

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Chapter 21 : What Lies Ahead

TL:SummerPeanut

Author’s Note:

This is the second volume.

I will try my best to post a new chapter every day at 8pm.

Please look forward to it.

TLN: <.<

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More than a year has passed since the goblin king was defeated.

The name of the city was decided to be Irgusia.

However, it was no longer the domain of Count Carmel and became an area under the royal family.

And Zeke officially became the administrator of the Irgusia labyrinth.

When he went to the capital, he was elevated to the rank of viscount as a reward for offering the golden treasure sword and mithril silver ingots.

Of course, finding the Irgusia labyrinth and security activities around Almeria were also included in his evaluation.

Normally, a low-ranking aristocrat would be subordinate to a higher-ranking aristocrat, but Zeke is not subordinate to anyone in particular and is directly under the king's command. This is no different from the treatment of a senior noble.

However, although this kind of situation is rare, it is not unprecedented.

Count Carmel was also elevated to the rank of Margrave.

The city of Irgusia was developing as originally planned, too smoothly in fact, it attracted a large number of E-rank adventurers who had completed their paper-era.

Naturally, the city also succeeded in attracting the Adventurer's Guild.

We are still the only one who goes to the 3rd floor because they say that this floor is a privilege only for B-rank and above with multiple nomination requests.

I spent the past year with Ike doing classroom work.

I had no problem with the four arithmetic rules because I had memories from my previous life but I had no idea about the common sense of this world so it was a good opportunity for me to study.

Whenever we studied, both Ike and I would always deplete our MP first.

It is not that I don't like to study but I can't deplete my MP with ease unless I do it at a time like this.

First of all, the country where I live is called the Kingdom of Balkus, which is located in the southwest of the central continent.

In the central continent, wars between nations occur frequently, and the skirmishes are ongoing with the Kingdom of Zarkham in the east. For this reason, this country has been recruiting useful adventurers into the nobility and securing them as its forces.

However, Irgusia is located in the westernmost part of the kingdom of Balkus and is not so much involved in these wars.

It is said that people in this world are taught not to deplete their MP.

They say that if you deplete your MP when you are young, you will frequently lose consciousness or die.

I was surprised because I was actively depleting my MP.

Perhaps, people without magical talents might not be able to achieve the same thing.

I also learned the value of money in this world.

Stone 100 yen

Iron coin 1,000 yen

Silver coin 10,000 yen

Gold coin 100,000 yen

Platinum coin 100 million yen

And so on.

I have also learned about the titles of nobility, which are not so familiar to me as a former Japanese.

The higher nobility consists of duke, marquise, count, and margrave.

The lower nobility consists of viscount, baron, and (baronets).

The above is the list. According to the world trend, only baronet is not a noble because there’s no right for the children to succeed the title.

In the case of the higher nobility, all others except the heirs are said to be either baronets or commoners.

As I mentioned before, the lower nobility basically serves the higher nobility in most cases.

The king gives lands to the higher nobility and the higher nobility gives lands to the lower nobility.

Viscounts, barons, and baronets are often not given fiefs.

Such is the case with the heads of knighthoods and magic orders too.

By the way, the Viscount’s XX pattern usually contains words that refer to the owned territories or regions.

Count Carmel is a count who governs the Carmel region.

As I mentioned earlier, many of those below the rank of viscount does not have fiefdom. They are like Zeke.

It seems that it is difficult to give honorific titles to such people, and they are left to decide whether to be called "Sir" or "Lord Sieg”. Well, it is good as long as there is some form of respect.

It is not that I have been doing only classroom work and MP depleting all the time too.

Once a week, the four of us went to the boss's room on the third floor.

But after the third time, it was just me and Ike.

And this is the result.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: Wind King / Goblin Butcher

Status: Second son of Viscount Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: 6 years old

Level: 11

HP: 34/34

MP: 5878/5879

Strength: 29

Agility 30

Magic: 40

Dexterity: 30

Endurance: 31

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special Ability: Swordsmanship(Lv5/B)

Special Ability: Fire Magic(Lv1/G)

Special Ability: Water Magic(Lv1/G)

Special Ability: Wind Magic(Lv8/A)

Special Ability: Holy Magic(Lv3/B)

Well, my status has become quite monstrous.

I am sure that I am at least in the upper echelon of C-rank adventurers.

Incidentally, I was exempted from the appraisal ceremony as a special exception. Because I did a lot of work, apparently.

I was grateful because I didn't know what would happen if they found out about my status.

Also, I learned Cure, which is a recovery for abnormalities via Holy Magic.

And as for Ike…

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Heir to the Viscount Bryant family, human race

Condition: Good

Age: 9 years old

Level: 16

HP: 50/50

MP: 862/862

Strength: 34

Agility: 34

Magic: 19

Dexterity: 22

Endurance: 31

Luck: 10

Special Ability: Swordsmanship(Lv4/C)

Special Ability: Spearmanship(Lv6/B)

Special Ability: Fire Magic(Lv4/C)

Ike has greatly increased his MP.

His Fire magic has also increased in level, allowing him to be more versatile.

I heard that he will start school next year but I am worried that he will be bullied because of his high status.

And as for our idol, Leena?

Name: Leena Bryant

Title: -

Status: Eldest daughter of Viscount Bryant, human race

Condition: Good

Age: 3 years old

Level: 0

HP: 3/3

MP: 1/1

Strength: 1

Agility1

Magic: 2

Dexterity: 2

Durability: 1

Luck: 20

Special Ability: Water Magic(Lv0/C)

Special Ability: Earth Magic(Lv0/C)

The abilities haven't changed, but her cuteness is getting to an outrageous level.

I, Ike, and Zeke become even more lovestruck.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I'm the one with all the free time right now.

Ike is struggling with the four arithmetic rules so I'm thinking of diving into the Irgusia labyrinth to pass the time.

I've been told that as long as I don't go to the third level, I can dive alone.

Well, being the cautious person I am, I'm going with the members of Azure Fang.

I had always wanted to visit a place I had never been to before in the Irgusia Labyrinth, so I told the leader, Van, about it, and he gladly accepted my request.

We started our exploration at the first level. I had only ever gone to the right of the t-junction on the first level ever since I first time came here and never the left.

I would like to go there at least once to perfect my mapping of the floor.

I proceeded to defeat the goblins in the corridors and rooms.

I walked quite a distance. The first level is probably the widest.

Then we reached the last room, that is, the dead-end room.

The last room was smaller than the normal room. It’s about half the size of a normal room.

And there’s something obviously wrong with this room.

The walls. These walls are made of magic. Or perhaps it is a magical barrier?

When I look at it with my magical eye, I can clearly see that there is something beyond this wall.

I said to Van.

"That wall there, don’t you think there’s something wrong with it? Can I ask you all to go investigate with me?"

It is best to check these kinds of unusual places with multiple people.

Even if it is a trap, it is not scary if we touch it together.

The members of Azure Fang touched the wall like a magic barrier.

It seemed to be a normal wall.

I touched it with caution, and my hand went into the wall without any resistance.

I felt an unpleasant sensation on my hand and arm that were in the wall.

Everyone looked perplexed.

"What's wrong? How did you get your hand in the wall?"

The leader Van came toward me in surprise.

I tried to pull my hand out of the wall but it felt like something was holding me and my hand was stuck.

"I can't get my hand out, can you please help me get it out?"

All the members tried to pull my body or break the wall but it didn't budge at all. There was nothing I could do at this point.

If I had to contact Zeke and the others and wait until they come, I would be in this state for hours.

After thinking for a while, I came to a conclusion.

“Mr. Van, I'm going to go to the other side. Mr. Van and the others should go to my father and report back to him. If I can get back, I will chase after you.”

“I was thinking about that option myself but... it's dangerous, you know? There is a possibility that you might not be able to come back. Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir. I have thought about it a lot in my own way. Please do.”

“Alright. Then Iris and I will stay behind just in case. The rest of you will go to Mr. Zeke and the others to report.”

I was given a very good suggestion so I nodded immediately.

“These walls seem to be quite thick. On the other side, the tip of my hand is still within the wall so there's a good chance I won't be able to hear you once I'm inside. Then I'll be going, please.”

When I said this, I was told to wait a moment and a small crystal was placed in my hand.

“Hold this. These crystals come in pairs, so that even if they are about 10 km apart, they can tell each other's location. Anne is holding the other one now but I will give it to Mr. Zeke or Ike. Can you tell how the other crystal will react right now?”

I could feel the sensation of another crystal moving away from the crystal.

"Yes. Somehow, there is a sensation that it is moving away from here. I am sure that Anne is on her way to father. Thank you very much. I am gradually losing feeling in my right hand and right arm, although I’m afraid, I’ll be going to the other side. Take care."

I said that and then walked toward the other side of the wall.

The wall was about 10 meters thick. I could breathe inside the wall but it was uncomfortable.

The visibility should have been dark and poor but somehow I could see.

The fact that it was about 10 meters thick meant that there was light about 10 meters in front of me. I think it is probably a crack in the wall.

I walked around while wondering if this is what it is like inside the magic barrier.

While walking, I used the Wind Cloak (Sylphid), at first it was not stable but soon I adapted and was able to wrap it properly.

Then, I went out to the other side of the wall.

The scene that appeared in front of me was...

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Chapter 20 : The Clear

TL:SummerPeanut

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I and Ike continued to defeat the goblin generals devotedly.

When the goblin general is no longer summoned, we defeat the goblin lord.

The goblin generals are turning into a magic beast stone every second.

Yes, the so-called strategy I told Ike was a massacre.

I look at the goblin king's MP and it’s down to 15.

Half a minute later, my MP is considerably reduced but we were able to defeat the goblin generals just like when we were grinding them in the spring room and I was able to keep the MP consumption down by using only Wind Dagger(Sylph Dagger).

My level went up when I was slaughtering the goblin generals.

Thinking 'Well, if I'm defeating this many, I'll obviously level up,' and I checked my status as I had the composure to do so.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: Wind King / Goblin Butcher

Second son of Baron Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: 5 years old

Level: 10

HP: 25/31

MP: 1081/3925

Strength: 25

Agility: 27

Magic: 36

Dexterity: 27

Endurance: 27

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 4/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 8/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 2/B)

Finally, I got a title. Wind King and Goblin Slaughterer, I would like to see more details but I don't have that much leeway.

However, since my level has increased, Wind Cutter has been able to penetrate the goblin generals and kill two of them.

This has made it very efficient.

I was able to defeat them much more easily and the momentum was completely to our advantage so I put a bit of magic power into the Wind Cutter and fired it at the goblin king.

Although it was quite a distance away and thus the goblin king managed to block with its sword, the sword was cut in half and I managed to land a slash wound on its arm too.

I thought it could be finished off any time now but I didn’t want to defeat the goblin king yet since goblin generals and goblin lords are good experience source.

Then when the goblin king's MP dropped to 0, the last goblin lord got summoned.

And when all the goblin generals were also defeated. So the goblin lord's MP was also 0.

It seems that magic beasts don't sleep even if their MP is 0.

With the goblin lord defeated, there was only one goblin king left.

I wonder how many hours we fought... There are more than 1,000 magic beast stones lying around.

Zeke and Maria were immensely impressed by the sight which is understandably too awesome.

Ike nodded at me and put away his sword.

I guess he wanted me to defeat the goblin king.

I released Wind Cutter chantlessly(...).

Yes, during this battle, while I was frantically defeating the goblins, I got tired of casting spells so I tried to release Wind Cutter without chanting and I was able to do it.

The goblin king could not react at all and his head flew off its body.

It was finally over.

That's what I thought as I sat on the spot.

Zeke, Maria, and Ike ran up to me too.

“Well done, Mars, Ike, without you guys we wouldn't have made it this far, let alone defeating the boss.”

When Zeke said this, Maria hugged me and Ike.

“Thank God you're safe.”

Both of them must have been worried sick.

This room was the only one with a high degree of difficulty that even Zeke and Maria, a C-rank party, would have died.

We were all happy when a treasure chest popped up on the altar.

There was also a large treasure chest in the place where the goblin king was defeated.

Firstly, I appraised the goblin king's big treasure chest nearby to make sure there are no traps and then opened it.

Incidentally, although it was large, it had a value of 3 only.

Inside were precious mithril silver ingots, 100 of them weighing 1 kg in total.

Even I, who have knowledge of the market price, can understand this. They are expensive.

In fact, just exchanging 1000 D-rank magic stones and 30 C-rank magic stones for gold coins would net the equivalent of 115 gold coins or about 11.5 million Japanese yen.

While Zeke and Maria's eyes shone dollar marks from the side, I appraised the other treasure chest on the altar.

Then...

Name: Treasure chest.

Special: -

Value: 4

Details: There’s no way of knowing what’s inside. Appearance rate and what is inside depends on ‘Luck’.

When I opened the chest, I found.

Name: Fire Phantom’s Armour (Ifrit’s Mail)

Defense: 30

Special: Magic +1 Endurance +2

Value: A-

Details: Can only be equipped by those with Fire magic aptitude. When magic is channeled, it can be wrapped with fire. Even if the wearer was attacked in areas where there is no armour, the power of fire can reduce damage received.

I knew it...

Ike happily equipped it after I told everyone about the effect.

It was quite large but it became the perfect size when Ike equipped it.

When I was disappointed with my luck, everyone suggested that I buy my equipment the next time I go to the royal capital. If we cashed in these mithril silver ingots and magic stones, I would be able to buy a great piece of equipment.

I really wanted to get one piece of equipment from the treasure chest in the labyrinth but if there is something good there, I'll have them buy one for me.

However, I don’t want them to forcibly push me to buy something unnecessary so only if there is good equipment.

On the way back, I checked the performance of Ike's armour as I walked.

To put it bluntly, it doesn't even get scratched by attacks from goblin generals.

It is only when they attack the parts without armour that some damage will finally reach Ike.

I think it’s fine to think Ike equipped with it is at the level where there is no one who can beat him anymore.

I was thinking about this when I suddenly remembered that I obtained titles.

I tried to appraise the title.

Wind King: A title given to those who are among the ten best wind magicians in this world. The power of wind magic is increased.

Goblin Slaughterer: Title given to the one who has killed the most goblins in this world. Strength +2. If another person trumps the record number after this title is given to an individual, the title would be given to two people.

I think these are some good harvests.

I mentioned this to Zeke.

Then.

“My God! A title! I've never seen a single title-holder. Much less a holder of two! According to the rumors, you can equip up to 3 titles so try and get one more. If you gained more titles, apparently you can choose which to equip but I’m not sure about the details. I'm sorry but you'll have to look it up yourself Mars.”

Even if I'm not blessed with a treasure chest, I've got my ‘effort’ for me so let's keep it steady and work hard.

We hurried home to where Leena is waiting at as I vowed to myself.

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Author’s note:

With this, volume 1 is completed.

People who are wondering where is the heroine, please wait a little bit more.

The second volume chapters are scheduled to be released every day at 8 pm.

Thank you to those who continued to read up here.

Please give this series your rating if it’s to your liking.

TLN: >.>

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Chapter 19 : Boss Room

TL:SummerPeanut

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The past year or so has been very productive.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, second son of Baron Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: 5 years old

Level: 9

HP: 28/28

MP: 3921/3922

Muscular strength: 22

Agility: 24

Magic: 33

Dexterity: 25

Endurance: 25

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 4/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 8/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 2/B)

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, heir to the Bryant barony

Condition: Good

Age: 8 years old

Level: 15

HP: 47/47

MP: 201/201

Strength: 32

Agility: 32

Magic: 16

Dexterity: 20

Endurance: 29

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 4/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 5/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 3/C)

Both Ike and I surpassed Zeke and Maria's stats.

We are probably about as capable as C-rank adventurers.

First of all, I'm now at level 8 in Wind magic.

My magic power has also increased and I can now cut an armored goblin general in half even with an ordinary Wind Cutter that is not pumped with magic.

Also, I can now kill goblin generals with my Wind Dagger(Sylph Dagger) without deploying my Wind Cloak(Sylphid).

I can now use new magic too.

And I'm now at Swordsmanship Lv. 4.

It was a happy miscalculation that my Swordsmanship level increased even though I was using a dagger.

It seems that the dagger was recognized as a sword for me because my physique is different from Zeke and Maria.

Ike had also become a complete spear user and was already stronger than the Blue Fang’s spear user, Luster.

And today we are going to the room behind the spring room.

The four of us are now in the safe zone, making a plan.

Both Zeke and Maria already know that I and Ike are stronger than them, so we make a strategy centered on me and Ike.

I said strategy but it’s just about the formation.

Ike, me, Maria and Zeke will go in that order.

As soon as we reached the spring room, we defeated the 20 goblin generals.

After we defeat them, we go through the passage beyond the spring room.

It's the first time we’ve been here, so I'm bracing myself.

However, there was only one room at the end of the passage beyond the spring room.

The colour of the wall was different.

The walls of the labyrinth were red in colour.

Zeke said.

“This looks like the boss room. I think the goblin king is in there, so watch out.”

“How does the goblin king move?”

“I've never actually fought one myself but it seems they're basically the same as goblin generals.

But I've heard that even if you attack goblin king, its HP recovers so attacking half-heartedly is pointless.”

Ike then opened the big door to the boss room.

Apparently, only the boss room has a door.

It seems that it is not possible to ambush boss from the outside.

The first thing I saw was a small staircase in the centre of the room with an altar on it.

There was nothing on the altar.

In front of the stairs was a magic beast about three metres tall, with large horn and a magnificent sword.*1

To the left and right of the large-horned magic beast is a magic beast with a sword instead of an axe, a larger version of the goblin general.

Besides that, there are about 20 goblin generals roaming the room.

First, I appraised the one with a body larger than normal goblin general.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Goblin lord

Threat: C

Condition: Good

Age: 3 years old

Level: 12

HP: 50/50

MP: 21/21

Strength: 24

Agility: 20

Magic: 5

Dexterity: 6

Endurance: 28

Luck: 1

Special ability: Summon magic beasts (Lvl 1/G).

Next, the big-horned magic beast.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Goblin king

Threat: C+

Condition: Good

Age: 3 years old

Level: 15

HP: 60/60

MP: 31/31

Strength: 30

Agility: 24

Magic: 15

Dexterity: 6

Endurance: 26

Luck: 1

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 3/D)

Special ability: Accelerated HP recovery (Lv 2/F)

Special ability: Summon magic beasts (Lv 2/F)

It looked pretty strong. But if it's the current me and Ike, we can win.

I told everyone about the opponent's status.

When I told Zeke and Maria so, they immediately deployed the earth fort and ice fort.

First, I'll take out 20 goblin generals with my Wind Cutter.

At the same time, Ike runs into the goblin lord on the left side.

Ike is equipped with a spear and the goblin lord with a sword.

Obviously, the spear has the advantage.

After a few strikes, Ike's superiority was immediately apparent.

And just as he was finishing off, a new goblin lord was summoned.

The goblin king was the one who summoned it.

I thought we had to start with the goblin king so I tried to head towards the goblin king but before I knew it the goblin generals I had just defeated were surrounding me.

The goblin lord had summoned goblin generals.

The situation became troublesome.

There is an option to have Zeke and Maria actively participate in the battle but the two of them are on standby as insurance in case I and Ike got into a pinch.

Then Zeke and Maria were surprised.

Apparently, the goblin king doesn't normally have the ability to summon.

And they've never seen a goblin lord before. Of course, they have never heard of its existence.

There was no point in holding back so I decided to use one of the Wind magic…that I had newly learned, Tornado.

After telling the whole family that I was going to use Tornado, Ike went back to Zeke and Maria's place.

“They are probably within range except for the goblin king. Brother Ike, please take care of the goblin king later.”

Ike nodded and I unleashed my Tornado.

Tornado takes away the opponent's freedom in exchange of the lower firepower. I could have put a Wind Cutter inside the Tornado but I went with the Tornado with the least amount of firepower possible.

If I kill a goblin lord here, the goblin king will summon another goblin lord that would not be caught in the Tornado.

Ike went to take out the goblin king while I stalled the goblin lords.

With Zeke and Maria's support, of course.

The battle between Ike and the goblin king was incredible.

When Ike stabbed the goblin king with his spear, the goblin king didn’t pull back from the spear and slashed at Ike with its sword.

Ike tried to pull out the spear but the goblin king was also very strong and he couldn’t pull it out easily so he gave up the spear and quickly dodged the incoming sword. Ike's left arm was cut and bleeding a lot, probably because he was too late when he made his decision.

I disengaged Tornado and immediately went to heal Ike.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to let my guard down.”

The goblin king tried to give chase but Zeke and Maria covered him with Stone Bullets and Ice Arrows causing him to break the chase.

“Honestly, one-on-one with the goblin king could be tough. I need to find an opening somehow.”

“Then I will defeat the goblin lord while it is fighting Brother Ike. Then it might try to summon them, so please take advantage of that.”

Ike nodded and engaged in a fierce sword fight with the goblin king with the Fire Spirit’s Sword in his right hand.

The goblin king's wounds healed slightly.

Was it thanks to the skill's accelerated HP recovery? It's a tough cookie.

I wiped out the dying goblin lords and goblin generals.

As soon as the goblin lords were defeated, the goblin king summoned more goblin lord.

It seems that he could only summon them if he held up one of his hands.

As soon as the two goblin lords are summoned, the summoned goblin lords start summoning goblin generals.

It seems that the first priority of the goblins is to increase their numbers.

I tried to defeat the goblin lords while they were summoning goblin generals but they managed to summon a few.

And in the end, the second summoning phase lasted until 20 goblin generals were summoned.

This is tough.

“Do you think you can take advantage of the window where it summons the goblin lords?”

“No, the summoning is too fast for me.”

“Let's fall back again to father and mother first.”

We retreated back to Zeke and Maria.

The goblins were chasing us but the goblin king was not chasing us with them.

If they would chase us together, we could roll them up together with the Tornado. Troublesome.

I thought but then I realized something.

Wouldn't this be almost the same situation as the spring room if the goblin king didn't join the fight?

The only difference was that it's a non-stop 2v20 and the goblin lords are slow to enter the brawl if we just let them use summon.

And I told Ike about the scare tactics.

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TL’s note:

1. Not mentioned it’s one-horned or two-horned or 108 horns.

Chapter 18 : Hunting Goblin Generals

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

Back in the safe zone, we had lunch and some rest.

I was sleeping after lunch because I ran out of MP.

Ike was also running low on MP, but in Ike's case, it takes six hours to recover to full MP so he went straight to rest with Zeke and Maria.

And when I woke up, we would go back to the spring room.

This time Ike can't use granting(enchantment) so I thought I had to work very hard.

But a happy miscalculation happened.

Ike seemed to have leveled up on the way and can fight 1 vs 2 or even 3 without granting element.

Then I leveled up and I could cut the goblin general armorless parts even without concentrating my magic power.

Here's one thing that surprised me.

If you defeat 20 goblin generals within 30 minutes, the treasure chest always re-pops.

The magic beasts come out of the black vortex magic pool and the treasure chests come out of the white vortex magic pool.

However, all the re-popped treasure chests had a value of 1 and their contents were potions or iron ingots.

I don't know how many we defeated in the end but we had to go home because we couldn't hold any more magic stones.

Well, my MP was just about to be depleted so it was just nice as well.

When we came back from the dungeon, it seemed that the inhabitants of the town were worried about us, and they all called out to us, looking relieved.

“I'm glad you're safe and sound. We were worried about you.”

“If you don't mind, please tell us about the labyrinth sometime later.”

I wondered why everyone was in awe but then I remembered that Zeke had been promoted to a baron.

Then we arrived home.

The loot was plentiful.

First of all, we all went to see Leena, who was adored by the members of Azure Fang.

Yup. It's no exaggeration to say that we return back for this.

Zeke gave some of the loot to the members of the Azure Fang. It's all the potions and some iron ingots from the treasure chest.

It is said that there are very few users of holy magic in this world so the potions are very expensive. The Azure Fang people were very happy.

And when the Azure Fang members left, we took a bath and ate dinner.

We were tired so we decided to go to bed today and have the family meeting tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will rest and Azure Fang will be going to the labyrinth in the morning.

I appraised myself before I depleted my MP.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Second son of Baron Bryant, human race

Condition: Good

Age: Four years old

Level: 7

HP: 21/21

MP: 7/2840

Strength: 16

Agility: 18

Magic: 26

Dexterity: 19

Endurance: 19

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 2/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 7/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 2/B)

My status had improved but my skills were as usual. Well, I was happy because I have the feeling that I'm getting stronger.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, Baron Bryant's legitimate son

Condition: Good

Age: Seven years old

Level: 12

HP: 40/40

MP: 0/125

Strength: 25

Agility: 25

Magic: 13

Dexterity: 15

Endurance: 22

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 4/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 4/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 2/C)

I appraised Ike in his sleep.

His level had gone up by two...

His spearmanship was also at level 4.

Isn't Ike the strongest of the Bryant family?

I think I'm strong against small fry but I don't think I'm ready for strong enemies.

A family meeting was held the next day.

As a result of the meeting, it was decided that I and Ike would level up in the spring room for a while and that the golden treasure sword would be kept at home temporarily. And that Ike and I will go to school when I turn 10.

In this world, it seems that you have to go to school from the age of 10 to 13. Of course, it wasn't compulsory but we decided to go because it would give us more options for the future.

Fortunately, the Bryant family has a large number of magic stones. Just this fetches quite the amount of money apparently.

Hunting goblin generals was ultimately only for me and Ike's level up, not for money…right? I think so...

Well, I want Leena to have an easier time so let's do our best.

And the day after the family meeting, the goblin general hunting began in earnest.

First, we brought in a lot of preserved food and recovery medicine in case of emergency to the safe zone.

Ike and I would hunt goblin generals most of the time.

Zeke and Maria were thinning out the magic beasts on the second floor while we hunt goblin generals. In short, they were killing the magic beasts between the second and third floors.

But they are both sorcerers and don't have as much MP as I do so they fight carefully.

And as for the spring room, a large number of goblin general's magic stones were piled up.

The labyrinth absorbs the corpses, which is a good thing, but if this had been outside, it would have been a nightmare.

After four treasure chests came out, I went back and had a meal, then depleted my MP and went to bed repeatedly.

And this time, Ike was also depleted of MP. When we are sleeping in the safe zone, Zeke and Maria will come back.

If I wake up first, I and Zeke will go to the spring room.

To be honest, this was the hardest time. It's tough but it was also a very good experience. I would deploy the Wind Cloak (Sylphid) with the Wind Dagger (Sylph Dagger) in my right hand and then attack with the Wind Cutter with the Wind Dagger (Sylph Dagger) in my left. Siege only helped me in a pinch so I basically stood at the entrance of the room and deal with 20 goblin generals.

Here I also made another discovery. If you defeat 20 goblin generals alone within 30 minutes, a treasure chest will appear with a value of 2.

Silver ingots and advanced potions also appeared occasionally, which was a tasty surprise.

However, you often cannot defeat them within 30 minutes if you fight alone and the battle couldn’t continue for an hour.

This was because the Wind Cloak(Sylphid) consumes a lot of MP.

When we go back to the safe room, Zeke took out the enemies and I just followed him.

When I wake up after depleting my MP, this time I go to the spring room with Ike again.

This routine continued for more than half a year.

And after more than half a year, I and Ike are now five and eight years old.

====================================

Author’s note, not TL’s:

The next post will be at 3pm.

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Chapter 17 : Aiming for the Deep Layers (2)

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

Once temporarily went back home, we decided to dive back into the dungeon with some preserved food and blankets next time.

Since we found that there was a safe zone, we would leave the baggage there.

Next time we would be staying overnight to explore(dungeon attack) the labyrinth, so everyone is flocking to Leena now.

Healing is necessary, after all.

The next day, we dived into the labyrinth again after getting everything ready.

This time Zeke and Maria had a lot of luggage so I and Ike had to defeat the monsters. Although last time it was also I and Ike that defeated the enemies, I felt a little nervous considering the fact that I can’t allow any leaks.

I guess such tension was good because it took us two hours to reach the safe zone on the second floor.

And I picked up this item from a treasure chest on the way.

Name: Golden Treasure Sword

Attack: 6

Value: -

Details: Low attack power but the value varies from person to person.

Zeke and Maria's eyes were dollar marks when they picked this up.

The sword was made of gold and inlaid with diamonds and various other gems.

The hilt was also beautifully studded with jewels, and the scabbard, like the sword, was also decorated with jewels, and the ornaments were gorgeous. The two of them praised me countless times saying that I did amazing.

Personally, I would prefer to have my own equipment over this but since Zeke and Maria were so happy, I was happy too.

Zeke and Maria said I could buy anything I like after we return but after thinking calmly I believed what we need at this moment is armor for Ike.

Anyway, I'll think about it before going back to town.

After unloading the baggage at the safe zone and having a fairly early lunch, we took a break and set out to explore the new section.

We spent almost a whole day exploring the second floor but we didn't find any stairs.

We didn't find any treasure chests and I felt a bit tired thanks to that.

According to Zeke, it would be already on the more fortunate side if one finds a chest every three labyrinth dives so I pulled back myself together thinking that I had become too pampered.

We went back to the safe zone, had dinner, cleaned ourselves up, and went to sleep.

We would start the exploration early in the next morning apparently.

Incidentally, what I meant by cleaning ourselves up is that I keep emitting water magic water all the time while everyone takes a shower.

This was why Maria had brought a bathtub.

I had heard that when Zeke and Maria were diving in the labyrinth together when the children (we) are not there, Maria does not want to stay overnight to explore the labyrinth because she cannot clean herself.

Because in other dungeons, there are a number of parties in the safe zone so if Maria at that time tried to clean herself up, she would definitely get ogled by the other adventurers' eyes.

I mean, it's hard to believe that Maria is now 26 years old and has three children. This is beauty.

No one would doubt her if she said she was 20 years old, unmarried, and had no history of childbirth.

I thought that if this dungeon became popular, it would be quite profitable to build men's and women's baths in the safe zone and charge for their use.

The next day, we headed for a place we hadn't explored yesterday.

There were several goblin generals on the way so they became Ike's spear practice partners.

Ike was also blown away when he tried to intercept a wildly flying axe with his spear.

Every time that happens, I heal him.

And when the goblin general is about to die, I heal it with my heal.

But still, spears versus axes is a pretty bad match.

Unlike swords, spears leave a lot of openings when they are repelled.

If he’s using swords, he would be able to redirect the coming attack but the more-specialized spears’ advantageous reach would cause his posture to be largely thrown off instead.

I’m sure this would be a good experience for Ike. I’m a little sorry about the goblin general though...

I also released a Wind Cutter to test it but it only cut through the armor and gave a light cut if the armored part was hit.

If I hit the unarmored neck or a joint, that would be a fatal wound but I can't cut it in half.

When I was making good progress while doing this, we stumbled upon another large room on the second floor.

There were three goblin generals and seven hobgoblins.

With multiple goblin generals, it might be tough for just myself and Ike.

But Zeke and Maria told myself and Ike to go. This is Sparta.

As usual, we took out seven hobgoblins with my Wind Cutter as quickly as possible.

The goblin generals were heading toward us so we decided to adopt a different tactic compared to the usual.

I decided to concentrate on their legs.

I fire my Wind Cutter at their legs and push them back with Wind so that they couldn’t get any closer at all. The strategy worked and all three of them got stuck on their feet.

Ike took down the stuck goblin generals. Then.

“I'm always amazed by Mars, really.”

He said bitterly.

Zeke and Maria were looking at him as if he was saying the obvious.

And then there was the treasure chest.

“Oh no~, I didn't expect to find so many treasure chests. I feel bad for the other adventurers but... I can’t help but feel happy.”

Zeke stared at me as he said that. He wanted me to appraise it.

I made sure there were no traps and opened the treasure chest.

Name: Aquamarine necklace

Special: Magic +2

Value: C+

Details: By channeling water-based magic, it is possible to create a water-based barrier around the body

Oh, this necklace sported a simple design.

When I gave it to Maria after telling her the effect, she was very happy and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

It feels good to be kissed by a beautiful woman even if it's just my mother.

Then, at the end of the large room, there was a staircase to go up.

The third floor has a distinctly different atmosphere from the second floor.

Walking up the stairs and down the corridor, we found a slightly larger room.

There were a lot of goblin generals in the corridor on the way.

When I looked into that room, an odd sight was laid in front of me.

There were 20 goblin generals.

And black magic pools were swirling in 20 places.

Even if you don't use your magic eye, you can see them.

Zeke said.

“I've never seen a spring room this big before. It's amazing.”

Normal rooms’ monsters in the labyrinth are revived one hour after they have been wiped out(...).

Therefore, it is said that when adventurers attack the deeper layers, they leave only one monster in the room to proceed.

This is because, if ten monsters appear and they leave only one monster in the room, the remaining nine will not be resurrected so they do not have to worry about the return journey even if they dive as deep as they can.

This seems to be a strategy often used when diving in unexplored labyrinths, although it is not possible to use this method in popular labyrinths because someone else would be diving there.

Returning to the subject, a spring room is a room that revives the monsters even if you don't kill all of them.

Moreover, the revival time is 30 minutes.

So to get through this room safely, you have to kill 20 of them within 30 minutes.

It would be easier if I could kill goblin generals with Wind Cutter but I don't have that much magic power yet.

Then Zeke said.

“Ironically, I'm glad there are rooms like this. If you gain experience here, you can become a D-rank adventurer.

We can expect demand from intermediate adventurers. Ike, Mars, your mother and father will protect you if you are in danger so try to challenge yourselves. I think that 20 goblin generals are probably equivalent to a quest for a C or B-rank party. It will be a good test of your skills.”

When he said that, he pushed Ike and me to the front. Spartan as ever.

I advanced with Ike and prepared to release the Wind Cutter.

But this time, I felt that stalling wouldn’t cut it, so I released the Wind Cutters with more magical power than usual.

The Wind Cutter sliced the goblin general in half.

Taking that as a signal, Ike also went towards the goblin generals.

He circled around well so that it was as if he was fighting them one-on-one.

I hit the goblin general closing the distance with me with Wind Cutter, but the goblin general, having seen the battle earlier, rushed at me while defending itself with its axe.

The axe could be cut in half by the Windcutter but I have to shoot the Windcutter twice per goblin general to take them down. If I hit the armor, there were times that I was unable to hit the third time so I had to receive some attacks but I used heal instantly while in combat.

Ike also appeared to be very worn out.

It was the first time I saw him fight while granting(enchanting) fire magic to his weapons.

That's how desperate he was.

I also had a few close calls so I was mostly using the Wind Cloak (Sylphid) and firing the Wind Cutter in rapid succession.

There was a big gain in this battle.

When I deployed the Wind Cloak (Sylphid), the wind put up a barrier that reduced the damage.

Just like that, we fought until the last 3 enemies but the previously defeated goblin generals started to revive.

While fighting, I noticed that the goblin generals here immediately turn into magic stones after being defeated.

I didn't care and kept on defeating them, and in about 50 minutes, we had killed 40 of them.

It was also a great harvest that I was able to defeat them without having to constantly deploy the Wind Cloak (Sylphid).

Then a treasure chest appeared in the middle of the room.

Name: Treasure chest

Special: -

Value: 1

Details: There’s no way of knowing what’s inside. The rate of appearance and what inside depends on ‘Luck’

This treasure chest was worth less than usual.

When I told Zeke and Maria the value, they told me to open it anyway, so I did and found a lump of iron.

Name: Iron ingot

Value: E

Details: -

It's the hardest thing I've ever gained and the dullest too...

And when I mentioned that I was already on the verge of depleting my MP, we had to go back to the safe zone.

====================================

Author’s note:

I plan to keep uploading until the end of the first volume.

I will start uploading 1 chapter per day so please look forward to it.

TLN: Not me. (ಠ_ಠ)

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Chapter 16 : Aiming for the Deep Layers

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

On the day to enter the labyrinth.

We are now in front of the big house at the entrance to the labyrinth.

“We're all ready, aren't we? I've got the potion and antidote just in case. We’ll be fine.”

Zeke said words I couldn't tell whether he was asking himself or us.

“Yeah. We're fine.”

Ike replied.

The labyrinth search (dungeon attack) with the four Bryant family members, excluding Leena, then began.

First, we opened the door of the house and proceed to the end of the hall, then go to the left side after you hit the end of the hall.

By the way, when we first went to the right side it seemed that there were several rooms but in the end, it was a dead end.

The reason I say ‘seemed’ is that they searched there when I wasn't with them and Zeke, Ike, as well as the Azure Fang party confirmed that they had reached a dead end.

And this time they decided to go left. They went to the left side several times but had not found the stairs yet.

Some goblins appeared in the passage but Ike quickly stabbed them to death with his spear.

The monsters in the labyrinth are said to be absorbed into the labyrinth on their own after a while even if you don't burn them so if you only take the magic stone, you can leave the corpse as it is.

Also, in special rooms, corpses are immediately turned into magic stones.

Such rooms are said to have an unusual number of monsters.

Then we arrived at the biggest room of all.

They had never been here before.

When we searched the room, we found three hobgoblins, five goblin mages and at least ten ordinary goblins.

Zeke said.

“Ike, Mars, can you two take them down?”

Ike replied when asked.

“No problem. Mars, just focus on using Wind Cutter to take out the goblin mages first.

If there's room to spare, I’ll count on you to take care of the hobgoblins too.”

I nodded as he said his piece.

Then I fired a series of Wind Cutter shots from the passageway and easily killed five goblin mages.

When I killed the goblin mages, I also chopped up all the goblins in front of me so there were only three hobgoblins and five goblins left.

I fired a Wind Cutter at the hobgoblin's eye in a sideways slash to blind it as a support to Ike and it was cut in half from the eye up.

“H-hm?”

I felt that the power has become very strong, perhaps because I have reached Wind magic level 7, or perhaps because my magic power has increased.

Just like that, the remaining hobgoblins were defeated with Wind Cutter, and Ike, who was already in front of me, defeated the remaining goblins as if it were just a chore.

Ike looked at me and said to me while being baffled.

“Seems like goblins and hobgoblins are no different in front of Mars now.”

Zeke and Maria seemed to agree. They both nodded.

And there was a treasure chest in the corner of the room.

Since the treasure chest was supposed to be opened by me and seeing that there was no trap when I appraised it, I opened it.

Then a spear came out from inside.

Name: Blaze Lance (Flame Lance)

Attack: 20

Value: C

Details: The spear can be granted(enchanted) with fire magic.

It’s another one that would make Ike strong again.

But this time, it could be enchanted with Fire magic. It was only described as such.

Can't you grant(enchant) normal weapons?

When I told everyone the details, it was decided that it would be Ike's equipment.

Only Ike's equipment was getting more and more awesome. All that was left was the armor.

He decided to leave the spear he was using here and take it when he goes back.

After that was an uphill staircase.

Perhaps because of the word diving, I had the image of going down but it seemed to go up.

Well, it's a mountain mine. Of course you go up.*1

The atmosphere on the second floor was a little different.

First of all, the normal goblins disappeared and only hobgoblins and goblin mages appeared.

The hobgoblins are fine but the goblin mages are annoying.

We can react if we know stun bullets are coming but the damage is no joke when they shoot at us when we were not aware.

So everyone was searching with a sword or dagger in their dominant hand.

Even so, unless we are able to take the battle initiative we will receive some damage if 10 or more goblin mages come out at once,

Each time they do, I use heal.

Isn't this floor too hard without heals?

After several rooms, there was a room with a glowing white entrance.

Then Zeke and Maria...

“It's the safe area(safety zone). Let's rest.”

So they said.

Apparently, no magic beasts appear or can come here.

“It's about past eleven now. Let's have dinner, rest until 12 o'clock, then go exploring again and go back from here at about 14.00.”

Did it take us about three hours to get here? Well, we came here while exploring so it would take us about two hours to get back home so it should be just right with remaining energy right now.

We continued to explore and killed hobgoblins and goblin mages and my level went up for the first time in a long while.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, second son of Baron Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: Four years old

Level: 6

HP: 18/18

MP: 1678/2832

Strength: 14

Agility: 16

Magic: 23

Dexterity: 16

Endurance: 16

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Natural ability (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 2/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 7/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 2/B)

I was happy because I felt like it's been a long time since I got to level 5.

And then we arrived at another big room.

I looked around inside and saw a larger hobgoblin equipped with an axe and armor accompanied by around 7 hobgoblins and goblins.

I appraised that goblin for the first time.

Name

Title: -

Race: Goblin general

Threat: D

Condition: Good

Age: 2 years old

Level: 10

HP: 38/38

MP: 1/1

Strength: 18

Agility: 10

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 5

Endurance: 22

Luck: 1

It’s young in terms of age but quite strong. Its threat was D.

At the very least it would be a tough fight if it was able to close its distance to Zeke and Maria.

Zeke and Maria said.

“I guess there are goblin generals here after all. And at the deepest layer, there might be a goblin king.”

“Yes, I suppose so. But if the deepest part is really a goblin king then we can officially market this dungeon as a beginner's dungeon.”

“Ah yes. We need to get an adventurer’s guild invited to this town. Also, we need to decide on a name for the town.”

They seemed kind of happy to encounter a goblin general.

I think it was quite strong though.

“Ike, Mars, I don't think you've ever seen your father and mother fight before, so watch us this time.”

Zeke said this and slowly walked into the room with Maria.

They could have caught the goblins by surprise but they let the goblins notice them.

I watched them closely.

“Earth fortification (Earth Fortress)”

“Ice fortification (Ice Fortress)”

Zeke and Maria chanted their own spell.

Then an earth circle around Zeke and an ice circle around Maria were formed.

However, the shapes were slightly different from that of a normal hut. They had no entrance or exit.

The hobgoblins hit the ice-covered enclosure with all their might but it did not budge.

The goblin general also tried to destroy a hut made of earth with an axe but the earth was only slightly chipped away.

Stone bullets and ice arrows then stroke the goblins from each hut.

Although their defense capability is great, their penetrative and destructive capabilities are not lacking behind in the least. Is this why they are called the Brown Colored Shield (Brown Shield)?

In no time at all, they were all destroyed, and there was a treasure chest in the room.

For the first time, we found two chests in a day.

Anyway, I would appraise the treasure chest as usual.

Name: Treasure chest

Special: Trap (arrow)

Value: 3

Details: No way knowing what’s in it. The rate of occurrence and what is inside depends on ‘Luck’.

Oh, it mentioned trap (arrow).

When I told Zeke that there was a trap, he told me to open it from behind so I did it from behind.

Then an arrow flew out from the treasure chest towards the front with great force.

Thank goodness there was appraisal skill.

I checked the contents of the treasure chest.

Name: Earth Spider’s Staff

Attack: 2

Special: Magic +3

Value: C

Details: Reduces MP consumption by 1 when chanting Earth magic, and slightly shorten the activation time of Earth magic

Oh, that's a pretty good one.

When I explained the wand to Zeke, Zeke looked happy and said, "I'll take this one."

Yeah. No matter how old one gets, he’ll always be happy when his equipment gets stronger.

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Next>> 

TL’s note:

1. I have been assuming all the while that they are going down to the bottom of the dungeon…

Chapter 15 : Immigration

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

A month had passed since the dungeon was discovered.

It seemed that we had already hunted all the goblins in the area and often entered the goblin labyrinth too.

The crisis on the west side of Almeria seemed to have passed.

However, it seemed that the labyrinth must continue to be monitored, and my father had been promoted to the rank of baron to manage the goblin labyrinth as per the previous talk.

He is currently in the process of removing all the buildings from the abandoned village and building new houses.

There are around 100 migrants from Almeria. This number was a much larger group than expected.

The reason for this is that the goblin labyrinth is ideal for beginners and it seems to be just right for those adventurers who have been promoted from paper to E-rank so many merchants have moved here, perhaps thinking that E-rank adventurers will flow in from outside Almeria.

Goblins in the surrounding area have been hunted to extinction but the goblins in the labyrinth are very numerous.

No matter how much we hunted, the number of goblins did not seem to decrease so E-rank adventurers would be able to raise their level just fine.

And with the Bryant family came the Azure Fang, a C-rank party of six D-rank adventurers.

They were all about 18 years old and were apparently Almeria's most promising newcomers.

Apparently, they had been helped by Zeke and Maria during their paper days, and seem to have feelings of gratitude and admiration for them.

Their party consisted of...

Van, male magicswordsman and the leader, Lv 16.

Yug, a male swordsman Lv 15

Luster, male spearman Lv 15

Iris, male scout, lv13.

Anne, female water magician Lv14

Asha, female fire magician, Lv 14.

They were also actively helping with town development and Zeke seemed to be feel thankful for that.

The Bryant family enters the labyrinth in the morning and Blue Fang enters the labyrinth at night.

If the rest of the E-rank adventurers hunt the goblins little by little, the labyrinth is as good as no threat.

Also, when Blue Fang has time to spare, they will train me and Ike with swords, spears, and magic.

We were happy to know these very good brothers and sisters.

“Mars, cut that tree into rectangles. After you cut it, take it to your parents and keep the scrap wood for firewood.”

The carpenter called out to me.

Yes, I'm helping him with carpentry now.

I volunteered to do it. The reason for this is that apparently the maximum MP goes up until around the age of 10, but after that growth seems to slow down. This is just what I think based on what my father and mother told me and what Azure Fang(Blue Fang) told me.

I have innate talent skill so it may not apply to me.

The common point of maximum MP and carpentry work is that I can’t deplete my MP during labyrinth dive because I have to manage my MP. But in the city, I can deplete it without any worries.

Unlike other people, my MP recovers to full after three hours of sleep.

I also have a habit of waking up on my own when my MP is full.

I cut wood with Wind Cutter and carry heavy things with Wind. If I have to carry something carefully, I can use Wind Cloak (Sylphid) to increase my physical ability, so there is no problem.

Like this I raise my maximum MP by 5 on the days I don't dive into the labyrinth.

Ike often dives the labyrinth with Zeke.

It is a very good environment to be able to enter the labyrinth right from home.

And Maria sometimes dives the labyrinth too.

She started diving the labyrinth because Leena has been weaned and she could leave Leena to Azure Fang’s care for a short while during her dive.

Well, she goes for an hour at most.

Six months had passed since then.

I am four years old and Ike is seven.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, second son of Baron Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: Four years old

Level: 5

HP: 16/16

MP: 2328/2829

Strength: 12

Agility: 14

Magic: 20

Dexterity: 14

Endurance: 13

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 7)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 2/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 1/G)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 7/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 2/B)

The levels of clairvoyance, swordsmanship, wind magic, and holy magic had increased and my status exploded.

And now I can also use fire magic and water magic. Though, my talent is G for both.

Still, I think my talent in my previous life was less than G so I can keep doing my best.

MP had also risen quite nicely.

Wind's MP consumption is now 3 while Windcutter is 6.

Let's see the effects of level 7 of clairvoyance another time.

Next up is Ike.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, Baron Bryant's eldest son

Condition: Good

Age: 7 years old

Level: 10

HP: 34/34

MP: 120/120

Strength: 21

Agility: 22

Magic: 10

Dexterity: 12

Endurance: 18

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 4/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 3/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv 2/C)

Oh, my God, he's a genius. And his build is quite a large one for a seven-year-old.

I'm also surprised that he can already fight on equal terms with the Azure Fangs in terms of swordsmanship.

What is more surprising is that his main weapon is now a spear.

He is equipped with a spear and carries the fire spirit’s sword on his back.

Well, the spear is just an ordinary spear but it has a long reach so he never gets in range of the goblins and the sight of the goblins unilaterally being laid waste by him is even more terrifying.

Then there's Zeke and Maria.

Name: Zeke Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, head of the Bryant Barony

Condition: Good

Age: 27 years old

Level: 22

HP: 49/49

MP: 72/72

Strength: 11

Agility: 16

Magic: 32

Dexterity: 15

Endurance: 17

Luck: 10

Special ability: Knifemanship(Lv 2/D)

Special ability: Earth magic (Lv 6/C)

Name: Maria Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, first wife of the Baron Bryant

Condition: Good

Age: 26 years old

Level: 20

HP: 40/40

MP: 64/64

Strength: 11

Agility: 14

Magic: 31

Dexterity: 18

Endurance: 12

Luck: 10

Special ability: Knifemanship(Lv 2/D)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 6/C)

Zeke and Maria are also the strongest in town.

Well, I think Ike will overtake them next year.

Leena's status hasn't changed at all but her cuteness has improved explosively.

When I see her 1-year-old appearance walking around the house a bit, I want to hug her instantly.

And then, after dinner, when everyone was having their way, Zeke gathered the family together.

“I'm thinking of going deep into the goblin labyrinth next week. The reason for this is to find out how far E-rank adventurers are allowed to go into the labyrinth. We don't even know how many more layers there are, so we'll investigate that too. Maria will be coming with us this time. Leena will be with the Azure Fang. Ike, Mars, you two, get ready.”

“”Yes.””

We replied in good spirits.

====================================

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Next>> 

Chapter 14 : E-rank Adventurer

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

As soon as we got back from the Adventurers' Guild, I was so tired I fell asleep.

I properly used Sylphid to deplete my MP before going to bed though.

The next day was a rest day.

Last night, Zeke reported yesterday's events to Maria apparently.

They tried to have a meeting yesterday but since I fell asleep, so it was held today.

Today I practiced swordsmanship with Ike.

We were good matches in terms of status but I couldn’t pose a challenge at all.

Besides, yesterday Ike had also increased his level to 6.

Ike is really capable. Will he eventually be called a sword saint or something?

No, his talent was higher with the spear so he might be a spear saint instead…

“I knew I couldn't beat brother Ike.”

“No, that's not true, if the three years old me and the Mars of today were to fight, I'd lose without being able to do anything.

Mars will eventually become stronger than me. I have to do my best to protect a bit of my dignity as the elder brother.”

He replied with things like that. No, seriously, he's a competent brother.

When I went to bed and woke up after eating lunch and depleting my MP, Zeke and Maria called me.

We were going to have a family meeting in a bit.

“Well, now that Mars is awake too, let's talk about yesterday together.”

Zeke, Maria, and Ike were already at the table.

When I got to the table too, the family meeting started.

“Let's talk about yesterday's rewards first. This reward is a quest that the three of us have accomplished together, so we need to divide it up properly. But I'm not going to give that much money to you kids.”

“I got the fire bracelet yesterday, so I don't need a reward. If you insist, please give it to Mars.”

When Ike said that, I said what I wanted.

“Then I want you to lend me a beginner's book on fire magic. I would also like to borrow water and earth if you have them too. I'd like to be able to make a little fire even if I can't use Fire because it would make my adventures a lot easier. Also, yesterday's goblin mage seemed to be able to use magic despite his G-talent in earth magic. If it's possible for me too, I'd like to give it a try.”

All were surprised by this.

“I have the beginner's grimoires so I can give it to you right now. You brothers are not greedy at all.

Then I’ll take the reward from the guild yesterday without any ceremony. In return, I have something for you.”

Having said that, Zeke handed me and Ike a card each.

“This is an adventurer's card. It's an E-rank adventurer's card, just like you were told yesterday. Don't ever lose it as it can be used as a form of identification.”

I received my adventurer's card from Zeke. The material is said to be made of copper.

Incidentally, the material seems to differ according to rank.

S is orichalcum

A is adamantite

B is silver mithril

C is silver

D is iron

E is copper

F and G are paper

The F and G rank adventurers are called ‘paper’ because their adventurer cards are paper.

“Well, I went to the guild in the morning to talk about the future.

The guildmaster, Count Carmel, the lord of Almeria, and I so it was three of us in total. And this is what they said.

He'd like us to emigrate to a place near the abandoned village with some adventurers. Of course, he would offer us a reward.

Tomorrow Count Carmel himself is going to the royal capital, and he is going to report about the labyrinth.

He is going to negotiate for the appointment of a baron. If he gets the right to appoint me as a baron, he will promote me to a higher rank. I refused, saying that I was not fit to rule but he said he only wanted me to manage the labyrinth, so I said I would consider it and returned home.

There is a world of difference between a baron and a baronet.

First of all, there is the right of succession. We’ll also get a salary from the count for managing the labyrinth.

And we don't have to do any complicated governing, and we can still dive the labyrinth as before. What do you all think?”

“I think it's a very good deal. There's just one thing. How many people are going to emigrate?

Frankly speaking, we don’t have enough hands to handle if something goes wrong.”

“I think it's a very good thing too. I think we should take chance.”

Ike also agreed. And I agreed with one condition.

“I agree with all your opinions too. I only have one request.

I will decline the succession to the title of Baron from the very beginning. Well, I think it's decided with brother Ike from the start but I don't want to fight with my family or my siblings. If it's a clean rivalry, I'd welcome it but I definitely don't want to participate in a stifle.”

Then Ike.

“Actually, I was thinking of declining the succession myself… The number one reason is that I want to achieve it on my own. Worst-case scenario Leena should become a baroness instead...”

“You people really aren't greedy. Well, as your father, I'm glad you're thinking like that.

Well, the succession is still a long way off but the Baron title and the emigration are a set of things. First of all, we need to find out how many people are going to emigrate and how many are strong. Also, I've been asked to continue with the nomination quests, so tomorrow we are going to go back and kill goblins, so keep your eyes peeled. By the way, I've been told that I can now rent carriages for free all the time as long as I'm on the nomination quest.”

Goblin hunting again tomorrow.

If I have time, I want to practice Fire and Water.

The next day I left the house as usual and was taken to the weapon shop.

They said it was to buy my equipment.

But I was only three years old so no matter how high my status is, swords are too big and I don't want to carry them around.

When I thought so, it seemed that they were going to buy a dagger.

Zeke told me to look for one myself to see which one I like so I'm going to look around.

Name: Iron Dagger

Attack: 4

Value: F

Details: -

Name: Silver dagger

Attack: 6

Value: D

Details: -

I don't know which one to choose because I don't know the prices in the first place.

Meanwhile the dagger that was said to be the most valuable in the shop...

Name: Silver mithril dagger

Attack: 9

Value: C

Details: A dagger that easily allows the magic conduction by the equipped person

This certainly seemed like a good dagger.

While thinking so, I came to the junks sale spot as I looked around.

Name: Dagger of the Wind (Sylph Dagger)

Attack: 2

Special: 1 Magic 1 Agility 1

Value: C

Details: A special dagger that makes you lighter when equipped. If wind magic is granted (enchanted) to the dagger, the attack power and agility are slightly increased

This was just right for me. Maybe it wasn’t too expensive since it was treated this way.

“Father, I'd like this one but would that be alright?”

“Shopkeeper, tell me what this does.”

“Oh, that's junk with two attack power. I'll give you for a silver coin. You could use it as a carving or cooking knife.”

“Mars, are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes. This is fine.”

That was how he bought me this Sylph dagger.

It's my first piece of equipment so I'll take good care of it.

====================================

<<Prev 

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Chapter 13 : Adventurer Guild

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

“I can't believe there's a treasure chest so soon... Mars, try appraising the treasure chest. Maybe you can find out if there’s a trap or something.”

Zeke said so, so I gave it a try and appraised it.

Name: Treasure chest

Special: -

Value: 3

Details: There’s no knowing what’s inside. The rate of appearance and what inside depends on Luck

It doesn’t seem like a trap... nothing is mentioned under ‘special’.

I told Zeke that there was probably no trap and that I, with my higher luck, might get better results if I open it, and thus I became the one to open it.

I opened the treasure chest with caution.

It contained a bracelet with a red magic stone embedded in it.

When I appraised it.

Name: Fire bracelet(Flame Bracelet)

Special: Magic + 2

Value: C

Description: A bracelet that contains fire magic. Reduces MP consumption by 1 when chanting fire magic and slightly shortens the activation time

When the effect was reported, it was immediately decided for Ike to equip it.

At first, it seemed too big for Ike but it became the perfect size when he put it on.

“Thank you. Mars. Now I can burn the magic beast corpses more efficiently.”

With our loots in hand, we quickly escaped the labyrinth and hurried home.

There were no goblins at all on the way back.

We arrived in Almeria before evening.

We immediately headed to the guild to report.

This time, Ike and I were going inside together.

We entered the guild for the first time. There were only three adventurers and a few staff members.

The inside of the guild was cleaner than I expected.

The walls were decorated with quest papers, and swords  shields decorations.

Three adventurers were looking at us who stood out of place.

We were not intimidated by them. If anything, they were looking at us as if we are a rarity.

Zeke walked up to the woman at the reception desk.

“Lucia. I have a report for the guildmaster. Also, there's a magic stone in the carriage that I need you to buy.”

The young woman, about 16 years old, called Lucia, directed the other female employee at reception to the carriage, while she herself led us to another room.

The guildmaster's room was on the second floor.

“This way, please. Are your children with you today?”

Lucia asked and Zeke replied.

“Yeah. I'd like them to be present this time. Can't I?”

“No, I think it will be fine. They both have an atmosphere that doesn't match their age after all.“

I and Ike…

“”Thank you very much.””

We bowed our heads.

Then Lucia knocked on the door.

“Master, Sir Zeke says he has something to report.”

Then from the inside.

“Come in.”

The reply came.

Lucia then opened the door and let us in.

Lucia herself did not go inside apparently.

“Oh, Zeke, thank you for your hard work. And who are those kids?”

“Yes. These are my sons Ike and Mars. Ike, Mars, please say your greetings.”

“It's nice to meet you. My name is Ike Bryant and I'm six years old.”

“It's nice to meet you. My name is Mars Bryant and I’m three years old.”

“Oh. Thank you very much for your courtesy. I'm Ralph Sergent, the guildmaster here. Ralph’s just fine. Nice to meet you. Hey, Zeke, how did you train them to be like this? They are even more polite than most adventurers here, aren’t they.”

“That's the thing, I've never taught them etiquette or how to speak.

Putting aside that for now, regarding the nomination quest details actually the abandoned village at the foot of the mine was occupied by goblins.

I think we killed 400 of them. The problem starts here, when I entered the house in that abandoned village, it had become a saturated labyrinth (labyrinths). It is probably a labyrinth fused with the mine. We have confirmed hobgoblins and goblin mages in the labyrinth. There is a likelihood that a goblin king is located in the deeper levels. Labyrinth saturation (labyrinths) has probably started. If we don't smash them before it reached the magic beast march (Stampede) state, it will pose a big issue to us.”

“What the hell? A saturated labyrinth (labyrinths)... Fortunately, we've confirmed that there are only goblins now. But a goblin king is tricky. I will discuss this matter with Count Carmel. Having two labyrinths in Count Carmel's territory is indeed a bad idea.”

Ralph frowned and continued to say so.

“And what's with the kids? They’re not here on a social studies field trip, are they?”

“Yes. I would like these children to be registered as adventurers as special exception. I had them accompany me on the investigation, and I couldn't have got this far without them.”

“Are you sane? They're only six and three, right? You can't do that even if it’s you, Zeke.”

“May I have you at least do appraisal first? And then I believe you could understand how much these children could be an asset on the field.”

“To think you would go that far. Hmmm... well, if Zeke says so, then why not.

Lucia! I know you're out there. Come in!”

When she said this, she opened the door and Lucia came in.

“Did you notice? All I have to do is give an appraisal, yes?”

I see, so this is the person with appraisal skill.

I appraised Lucia.

Name: Lucia Sergent

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 16 years old

Level: 1

HP: 10/10

MP: 20/20

Strength: 3

Agility: 3

Magic: 4

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 3

Luck: 2

Special ability: Simple appraisal (LvMax)

Sergent... She’s Ralph's daughter?

Or rather, it seems that simple appraisal is a thing.

Also, let's appraise Ralph.

Name: Ralph Sergent

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 40 years old

Level: 28

HP: 65/65

MP: 10/10

Strength: 34

Agility: 32

Magic: 3

Dexterity: 28

Endurance: 31

Luck: 1

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 5/C)

An attacker gorilla huh.

Age-wise, they are likely to be a father and daughter.

And Lucia appraised us, siblings.

Then her face twitched as she stared at us.

“What? Eh? W-wait? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!”

Ralph saw what was going on. He asked.

“Oh, this is impossible, swordsmanship, spearmanship, fire magic... swordsmanship, wind magic... ho-hol...”

Lucia mumbled to herself.

“Oi, oi. Tell me properly… Just what’s going on…”

Apparently, the simplified appraisal does not allow status figures to be seen.

“Y-you two can use swords and magic?”

Not knowing how to go about that question, I looked at Zeke.

Then Zeke answered for us.

“Ike can use the fire magic Fire, and Mars can use the wind magic Wind and Wind Cutter. Additionally, Ike can handle the magic sword Fire Spirit’s Sword and he is also equipped with a fire bracelet, so I believe their attack power is decently high.”

I knew he wouldn’t say anything about holy magic. I think they know from the simple appraisal result but we’re not going to tell them ourselves, are we?

“Well, seriously... this is beyond just a genius. It's true that there's no option not to use this level of manpower but... O-okay. I'll allow Ike and Mars to register as adventurers. But on one condition.

Let's see some magic. I'm not doubting you but I just want to make sure.”

I and Ike shot magic out of the window into the sky.

Then Ralph.

“You shall be E-rank adventurers by special exception and you can dive the labyrinth for E-rank adventurers. We will issue you an adventurer's card so you can come and get it at a later date. I will also give you the rewards for this nomination quest. On one condition. I only want you to continue with the nomination quest. If possible, I want you to continue thinning out the magic beasts (goblins) and I want information on the labyrinth. It's a lot of work and it will be dangerous but the situation in Almeria is pretty bad right now. Talk it over with Maria and think it over.”

Having said this, Ralph bowed his head slightly.

Zeke understood. He replied that he will think about it together as a family and left the room with his head down.

We brothers followed Zeke and bowed our heads before leaving.

After leaving the guildmaster's room, we dropped in at the guild reception and Zeke received the redemption of the magic stones and the reward for the nomination quest.

His face was smiling as he looked at the rewards handed to him, seems like it was quite a large amount of money.

Finally, we arrived home.

Maria greeted us while holding Leena in her arms.

When I saw Maria and Leena's faces, I felt relieved and tired at the same time.

I didn’t know if it was the same for Ike but for some reason, he started smiling when he saw my face.

I also laughed when I saw that for some reason.

Let's relax at home.

====================================

Author’s note:

Ralph, the guildmaster and a commoner, speaks informally to Zeke, a nobleman. Conversely, Zeke speaks respectfully to him.

The setting I decided is such that the guildmaster treats the baronet adventurers just like any other adventurers.

I'm sorry if there are any discrepancies.

TL: Unlike in Japanese, it’s harder to portray the difference in the level of formality via English and that might be the reason why you feel some awkwardness in the tl. So that’s my excuse as a bad TL-er. Btw yup, still world-building. Not entering the 2nd arc that the author mentioned yet.

<<Prev 

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Chapter 12 : To the West

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

At a point located 1km away from the checkpoint west of Almeria.*1

The goblin encounter rate is still abnormally high.

What would have happened if we hadn't been hunting them?

By the time we reached this point, we had killed about 30 of them.

This time we're coming via horse-drawn carriage, so it's a lot easier without the burden of travel and luggage.

There was one problem: the horses were a bit scared of the goblins but while we were hunting more and more in front of them, they became less and less scared.

Normally we would hunt goblins around here but today we are going further to the west.

I asked Zeke who was mounted on his horse. Incidentally, I was riding a little bit in front of Zeke.

If I see a goblin, I cut it up with a Wind Cutter.

Ike was in the carriage looking outside and he would go out if the situation becomes dangerous.

Well, I don't think he’ll have a chance to go out for a while.

I asked Zeke this on the road.

“Father. What is there if we continue west?”

“There are mines to the west. This mine seems to have been dug up and abandoned by the time I was born. The village at the foot of the mine was also abandoned when the mine was closed.”

The further west you went, the higher the rate of encounters with goblins.

And settlements that appeared to be abandoned villages were visible in the distance.

I was told by Zeke that I could use up all my MP so in a few more minutes I would become MP deficient and go to sleep.

The reason why Zeke said that is because the plan was for Zeke and Ike to guard the carriage while I sleep and when I wake up, we will explore the abandoned village.

There’s also the fact that I’m the most suitable to hunt goblins (small fries) enroute.

When I used up my last MP, I leveled up. I didn’t even have any MP left to appraise, so I just went to sleep. When I told Zeke that I was going to sleep because I had run out of MP, he took me into the carriage and let me sleep.

Ike swapped places with me and he went outside.

I woke up a little after three hours.

Zeke and Ike were chatting while being vigilant outside.

I appraised myself because I've just leveled up.

I'm excited to finally get my level up.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Condition: Good

Age: Three years old

Level: 4

HP: 13/13

MP: 1604/1605

Strength: 10

Agility: 11

Magic: 15

Dexterity: 11

Endurance: 11

Luck: 30

Unique Ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique Ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 6)

Unique Ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 6/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 1/B)

All statuses increased by 2.

I'm concerned about my low HP, but I'm a lot stronger in terms of my abilities.

Will I be able to compete decently against Ike now?

“Father, brother Ike. I'm awake now. I will recover both of you now.”

And I casted cure(heal) them both.

“Thank you. While Mars was sleeping, the goblins came quite a bit. They seem to be coming from the abandoned village so we'll have to be careful when we explore the abandoned village.”

Saying so, we drove forward the horse carriage.

As we got closer to the abandoned village, the goblin encounter rate became even higher.

There seemed to be something in this village.

We had reached the entrance to the abandoned village.

Looking inside the village from the entrance, there were about 50 goblins just on the outside.

There were probably also some inside the houses so it seemed safe to assume that there were 100 goblins.

We had already planned a strategy.

First, Ike used Fire at the center of the goblins.

Once all of them noticed us, I would dice them up with my Wind Cutter at the entrance to the village.

If they got close to us, I could take them out in one go and since the spell penetrates, MP efficiency-wise was even higher.

When I can't deal with them, Ike will help me and Zeke would be there if it got dangerous.

And we decided to go with that plan.

First, Ike hit the goblins with Fire.

“Gyah-gyah-gyah!!!!”

They screamed.

Ike shot at their faces to make them scream.

The goblins heard the screams and looked in the direction the Fire was shot and noticed us.

Dozens of them came out of the house.

The goblins came towards us all at once.

I lured them back enough and then released Wind Cutters.

We fought for about an hour and defeated them all.

Ike burned away the pile of goblin corpses with Fire.

Then only the magic stones were left behind, so we picked them up and put it in the carriage.

It was when we were about to return to the village on the carriage.

The door of the largest house on the mountainside opened.

There were about 20 goblins and one very large goblin.

The largest goblin must have been about 2 meters high.

I tried to appraise the large goblin.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Hobgoblin

Threat: E

Condition: Good

Age: 10 years old

Level: 7

HP: 30/30

MP: 1/1

Strength: 12

Agility: 5

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 15

Luck: 1

The first strong foe.

It had high HP and high durability value.

I told Zeke and Ike the results of my appraisal.

Ike asked Zeke.

“Father, what should we do?”

“Let's do things as usual first. If Mars cannot defeat the hobgoblin, we will fight them while retreating. Ike, keep your sword at the ready.”

“”Yes.””

The goblins charged.

I used Wind Cutter to kill all but the hobgoblin.

And I succeeded in hitting the hobgoblin with Wind Cutter but it only managed to inflict some cuts, not fatal wounds.

“We'll fight them as we retreat! Mars, fire your Wind Cutter at both eyes of the hobgoblin.”

When told to do so, I fired the Wind Cutter to both its eyes, successfully slicing through both eyes of the hobgoblin.

The hobgoblin, deprived of its vision, was rampaging about as it saw fit.

In the meantime, Ike beheaded the hobgoblin with a flash of his sword.

When the magic stone was removed from the motionless hobgoblin, it was slightly larger than the goblin's magic stone. Would it be worth a little more?

Having defeated the hobgoblins, we explored the village.

There was nothing special in the village. And all that was left was the big house on the mountainside where the hobgoblin had just appeared.

We opened the door of that big house with caution.

The moment I opened it, I realized that this space was foreign to me.

I was speechless at the first sensation. Ike must have felt something too.

Then Zeke said.

“It's a labyrinth (dungeon). Oh my God. It became a labyrinth. If goblins had overflowed from here, it would be a big problem. Magic beasts’ march(stampede) due to labyrinth saturation(labyrinths) would have been the worst possible scenario.”

“What do we do now? Father, shall we go return for now? Although I think it's only around 14:00.”

When Ike said that.

“Let's explore a bit. Because if there are goblins here, we can report that goblins could be originating from here.”

“I understand. Mars, we'll have to be careful alright.”

“Understood. Brother Ike.”

“Okay, we'll go with me in the lead, Mars in the middle, and Ike from behind. We’re not doing any attack so we’ll leave as long as we found a few goblins later.”

With that said, they proceeded through the labyrinth.

The labyrinth’s road was about 10 metres wide.

Straight ahead from the door, we soon came to the end of the path and came to a crossroads.

We went to the right. A little further on, there was a room. Looking inside with caution, I saw the hobgoblin from earlier and three goblins with wands.

I appraised the hobgoblin but it was not much different from the hobgoblin I saw earlier.

I then appraised the goblin with the wand as well.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Goblin mage

Threat: F

Condition: Good

Age: 8 years old

Level: 5

HP: 12/12

MP: 10/10

Strength: 5

Agility: 2

Magic: 7

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 3

Luck: 1

Special ability: Earth magic (Lvl 1/G)

Goblins that use magic.

I told the other two the results of the appraisal.

We decided to defeat them without letting them activate their magic. The hobgoblin was to be taken down after blinding it, just as before.

First, we attacked the three goblin mages with my Wind Cutter, Zeke's Stone Bullet, and Ike's Fire in a surprise attack. Only Ike's goblin mage survived but quickly I fired another Wind Cutter to finish him off. And the remaining hobgoblin was beheaded by Ike after I blinded it.

Then there was a treasure chest in the corner of the room.

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TL’s note:

1. Yes, it’s Almeria. The author suddenly changed from Alteria to Almeria.

Chapter 11 : Rapid Growth

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

“Okay, I raised a level.”

Ike said happily.

I appraised Ike.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 6 years old

Level: 5

HP: 24/24

MP: 65/90

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Magic: 5

Dexterity: 5

Endurance: 8

Luck: 10

Special Ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 3/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv1/C)

He really honed his vanguard skills huh.

His maximum MP had also gone up because he has been using Fire to deal with all the magic beasts after I've finished getting the magic stone recently and he experienced MP depletion after using magic two or three times after reaching home.

As for me.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: Three years old

Level: 3

HP: 11/11

MP: 1580/1602

Strength: 8

Agility: 9

Magic: 13

Dexterity: 9

Endurance: 9

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate Talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 6)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 6/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 1/B)

My status had improved considerably but the most important thing this time was that I had finally reached level 6 Clairvoyance.

Since the level of Clairvoyance increased, the details of skill and equipment have become clear.

For example, when I appraised the lightning magic that I've been wondering whether to use for a long time, I found out that

Unique ability: Lightning magic.

Magic received from God. Its firepower is unrivaled by any other magic.

Requires considerable training in magic manipulation to handle.

It said something quite scary.

The Fire Spirit’s Sword was appraised as follows.

Name: Fire Spirit’s Sword (Salamander Sword).

Attack: 20

Special: Magic 2

Value: B

Description: A magical sword made from mithril silver. Giving fire magic (enchant) to the sword will increase its attack power.

A legit cheat item.

My wind magic had also reached level 6.

The performance of the Wind Cloak (Sylphid) had also improved. In addition, the magic consumption of wind magic had also been reduced.

Wind's MP consumption became 4, and Wind Cutter's consumed 8 instead of 10.

Wind Cutter's magic now manifested in an instant and with a longer range.

And today I'm going to tell my family about the appraisal.

Then again, I’m planning to say "appraisal" instead of "clairvoyance".

This is because Clairvoyance will become even more amazing from now on.

It's an ability that contains the remaining power of the demi-god, after all.

As usual, after the dinner was over and all the family, with the exception of Leena, were sitting around the table, I suddenly raised my voice.

“Father, mother, brother Ike. I have something I want you to listen to.”

When I said this, everyone turned to me.

“Actually, I became able to use the appraisal a while ago. I was puzzled at first but I'm getting used to it now so I’m reporting it.”

Everyone was surprised. Zeke then said.

“So Mars can understand everyone's status?”

He asked.

“Yes. I understand everyone's status. I also know that the Fire Spirit’s Sword is a very awesome weapon and has hidden abilities.”

I told everyone my capability.

Ike was pleased with the status of the Fire Spirit’s Sword but Zeke and Maria were even more pleased.

That was because Leena had the talent for water magic and earth magic.

Incidentally, it seems that water magic and earth magic are the strongest among the four major magic attributes in this world.

“Why don't we discuss the matter of the investigation of the western side of Alteria from the previous family meeting again?

We've been hunting goblins for the past month, and I believe there is clearly an unusual increase in numbers of goblin compared to the other magic beasts settling in the area. The evidence for this is that all goblins these days are zero years old or within a year of being born. I don't know how they are born ... or occur, but I feel we should investigate that...”

Then there was Maria.

“Right. It's only been a month, but for you two it's already been a month.

You're getting better and more stable in combat, so I think it's an okay for me too.

I'd also like to warn you both that it's very easy to get up to level 5, but be prepared for it to get harder every multiple of 5, from 5 to 10, and then to 15.

Dear, what are your thoughts on the investigation?”

“I think they're all right now too. I think they're stronger than most other F-class.

Then I'll take on the nomination quest tomorrow, so Ike and Mars should get to bed early. Understood?”

“”Yeah””

We responded so.

Let's go to bed early for tomorrow.

The next day Ike and I woke up very early.

We were both in the garden training with our swords when Zeke and Maria woke up looking very refreshed.

I stared at them while thinking that this means the fourth one is coming soon before looking away.

“Well, let's eat dinner, get ready and go investigate. Just in case we'll be late, so we'll take more recovery stuff than usual. Especially magic recovery medicine (magic potion).”

I've had one magic potion before and it restores 10 MP.

It's not very tasty, to be honest.

As usual, we readied ourselves and head to the guild.

Then Zeke received the nomination quest at the Adventurers' Guild.

Zeke came out of the Adventurers' Guild and said.

“I've just received a nomination quest and they're very grateful. He told me to come to the master room if I succeeded in the quest. At that time, I'll call you guys up too.”

I and Ike jumped up with joy.

We had both wanted to join the Adventurers' Guild for some time.

And this time, the guild was specially offering us a horse carriage.

The guild master actually thought that Zeke would be heading off on his own to investigate so he made this arrangement for him to escape immediately if anything went wrong.

It seemed that he was told that he could use the horse as a decoy which made it much less dangerous.

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Next>> 

Chapter 10 : First Levelup

TL: SummerPeanut

====================================

We were steadily beating the goblins.

I just kept on killing goblins with my Wind Cutter.

Ike also cut up goblins with his sword.

After about an hour, Ike said

“I feel like my level has gone up somehow.”

And when I did an appraisal.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 6 years old

Level: 2

HP: 17/17

MP: 31/61

Strength: 5

Agility: 6

Magic: 3

Dexterity: 4

Endurance: 4

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 2/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv1/C)

Oh, he certainly did level up.

It's just that I haven't told anyone about my Clairvoyance so…

“Brother Ike, awesome. What's it like?”

I asked the obvious question.

Then.

“I kind of feel lighter, I guess. I don't know if I've really leveled up though.”

I checked my status but I haven't leveled up yet.

Because of my Innate Talent skill, I need three times as much experience as the others.

Then Zeke.

“It's a bit early today but we'll go home in a bit. I’m thinking of having lunch with the whole family.”

So he said.

I wanted to do more but I believed that they wouldn't take me out anymore if I was being selfish so I nodded silently. Ike did the same and nodded too.

After that, we returned to the city after defeating another five goblins. Just right before noon.

We went to the guild to complete the subjugation quest.

It would probably be difficult to feed a family with only this number of magic beasts.

I have to work harder to become more useful.

We arrived home. Maria was surprised that we were back earlier than expected but she seemed to be relieved that everyone returned safely.

After lunch, we did a bit of training and went to bed. I feel like I need to deplete my MP at least once a day or else it’ll feel weird.

And the next day we headed back out of town.

Today's goal is for me to level up.

The plan’s to quickly search enemies for me to hunt the goblins with Wind Cutter.

About an hour after we started hunting, I finally leveled up.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Condition: Good

Age: Three years old

Level: 2

HP: 5/7

MP: 1441/1547

Strength: 4

Agility: 5

Magic: 8

Dexterity: 5

Endurance: 5

Luck: 30

Natural ability: Innate Talent (LvMax)

Intrinsic Ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 5)

Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 5/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 1/B)

All statuses except luck were increased by two.

I think I'm someone with amazing talent if I say so myself.

And I told Zeke.

“I think I've raised my level too. I feel a little more empowered.”

Zeke replied in response.

“Mars, you might have difficulty rising level but you are growing steadily so don't be in a hurry and keep at it.”

He said so to me.

After that, we just kept on hunting goblins.

It seemed that Ike's level has risen too.

But no matter what, I felt there were too many goblins.

I think I defeated at least 100 goblins yesterday and today combined but the rate of encounters (encount) didn’t decrease.

Today we hunted until the evening so I asked Zeke on our way home.

“Are there always this many goblins?”

“No, this time it's unusual. I think I'll report it to the guild.”

Zeke informed the guild of the quest completion report and the goblin anomaly.

Zeke returned from the guild with an unhappy face.

Something must have happened. But neither I nor Ike would be able listen in to the details.

If it's the information we need, Zeke will always tell us after all.

When we arrived home, Maria greeted us.

And after dinner, Zeke started talking.

“Apparently there have been signs of a march(stampede) of magic beasts in the east of Alteria recently.

It seems that adventurers of D class and below are busy defeating the magic beasts in the east. Meanwhile, adventurers of C class and above are in the labyrinth. The worst thing that can happen is that the labyrinth is flooded with magic beasts. This can't be helped.

However, the west side is also overflowing with goblins abnormally. When I reported this, the guild side gave me a nomination quest. They want me to investigate the west side. The reward is quite high but to be honest I'm hesitating here. Our family will be in danger if I leave it alone but investigating it will also be dangerous. I want to hear everyone's opinion.”

Then Ike.

“I think we should go and investigate. If it's only goblins, then even I and Mars can take them out.”

But Maria said in response.

“It's too dangerous. If it’s only goblins coming out, it would be fine but it is possible that the reason goblins are coming to the vicinity of the city is that they have been driven out because stronger magic beasts have settled where they live. Goblins are the weakest of all magic beasts. You might be able to manage a kobold or so but a pack of orcs would be too dangerous."

This time I spoke up too.

“I want to go and investigate. However, I'm going to withdraw because the current me will only be a burden. The promise I originally made to mother was that I would not go to places that are far away or where magic pools are likely to form. Father, when do you have to do that nominated quest? Can't it be in a month later?”

“Hm. Maria and Mars have a point. Of course, I want to go and investigate.

I'll put the nomination quest on hold for now. We'll continue to go around the town and kill monsters as we have done up until now. I'd also like you to fight kobolds. Thank you, Maria. And I'm sorry. I made you take on an unpleasant role. You alright with this arrangement, Ike?”

“Yes. I was too proud of myself, it seems. I'll pull myself together again tomorrow and do my best.”

He then continued to hunt goblins in the vicinity of the city for a long time.

Occasionally a kobold would appear but I was able to take them out quickly with Wind Cutter.

Incidentally, the status of the Kobolds was like this.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Kobold

Threat: G

Condition: Good

Age: 1 year old

Level: 2

HP: 6/6

MP: 1/1

Muscular strength: 2

Agility: 4

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 2

Endurance: 1

Luck: 1

One of them is easy to quickly take it down but they are basically a swarm most of the time.

When 10 of them formed together, I had to retreat as I annihilate them all.

This is because I want to fight them in a position where I have as much of an advantage as possible.

But in the end, we still had to receive their attack. Zeke acted as a shield for me and Ike so that we don't get attacked. However, we have not seen the Earth Fortification(Earth Fortress) yet, perhaps in hope of us gaining more experience.

And a month has passed since then.

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Next>> 

Chapter 9 : First Magic Beast

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

“Be careful. Don't overdo it.”

Maria said that as she saw us three men out.

“Leave it to me. I won't let the kids get hurt.”

“”We're leaving.””

Zeke is equipped with a staff, Ike with a fire spirit’s sword and I with a wooden sword.

Zeke also has a dagger in his waist.

First, we headed to the Adventurer’s Guild where Zeke accepts the quest to defeat magic beasts, which is always requested.

Ike and I didn't go into the guild but waited outside a short distance from the guild instead.

Because there is bound to be trouble if a three-year-old and a six-year-old enter the guild.

Zeke came back with a quest.

Then we went to the entrance on the west side of the city.

The labyrinth city of Almeria is covered on all sides by large stone walls. There are only four entrances to the city, one each in the east, west, south, and north.

All entrances & exits are guarded by gatekeepers and it is necessary to pass through the checkpoints before entering or leaving the city.

I was told later that this is partly as a countermeasure against external enemies but it is also more to create a blockade in case the labyrinth becomes overrun with magic beasts.

We passed through the checkpoint on the west side without incident.

There was a grassland there. A literal carpet of green spread over the whole area.

In the distance away, cattle and goats were grazing.

Ike and I were admiring the scenery for a while.

After a few minutes, Zeke said it was time to go and we proceeded through the meadow.

“I didn't expect to find them so soon.”

Zeke suddenly said so.

I have no clue what he’s talking about.

I looked at Ike but he didn't seem to understand either.

Then Zeke said.

“There are three goblins over there. Can you see them?”

He pointed his finger.

I honestly couldn’t see, so I

“I don’t know.”

I answered honestly.

Apparently, Ike didn't either.

He was still looking hard in the direction Zeke was pointing.

“It's still some distance away. Then I'll show you the basics, I'll take down two of them and Ike will take down the other one. Just hit them with Fire and you should be able to take them down. Have your sword ready in case you missed.”

After Zeke made his points clear.

He walked slowly to the front of us.

After a short distance, the goblins became visible to us.

They are shorter than we expected. It's about the same size as Ike, around 120 cm.

Their skin is green with a hint of brown.

We slowly approached the goblins so that they don't notice us.

The goblins were laughing while staring at the ground.

I appraised the goblins.

Name: -

Title: -

Race: Goblin

Threat: G

Condition: Good

Age: 1 year old

Level: 2

HP: 10/10

MP: 1/1

Strength: 3

Agility: 2

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 2

Luck: 1

Yup. I could win this one. It's a G threat.

“Here we go. Watch first.”

Zeke whispered in a small voice.

“Stone bullet.”

A block of stone stroke the head of the goblin in the center and penetrate its head.

The goblin that was hit by the stone bullet fell straight down without a sound.

“”Gah-gah””

The remaining two turned to face us.

“Stone bullet.”

This time it hit the goblin on the right side of the head.

The one remaining goblin did not hesitate to rush towards us.

“Ike, are you ready with your Fire?”

“Yes. May I shoot it now?”

“Yeah. Aim and fire properly.”

“Fire!”

The Fire released by Ike looked like it was sucked into the goblin.

The goblin was hit squarely and struggled on the spot for about five seconds before dying.

“Alright, well done. How are you feeling?”

“Yes. Nothing unusual in particular. I just can't stop my hands from shaking a bit.

If I beat them a few times. I'll get used to it.”

Zeke nodded and used the dagger he always carries at his waist to remove the magic stone from the heart area of the first two goblins he killed.

“When you kill a magic beast, be sure to take its magic stone. You can have the guild buy these from you. Be sure to burn any magic beasts you finished when you are outside. You don't want them to become undead after all. However, you can use materials from certain monsters, which I will explain later. For now, Ike should try taking the magic beast stone from the goblin he defeated.”

Ike approached the burned goblin as instructed and safely removed the magic stone.

“Alright. Let's go to the next one. This time Ike, try using your sword. And Mars, get ready your holy magic.

Ike, don't force yourself.”

Having said that, he started to look for the next prey.

And I tried to voice my opinion to Zeke.

“Father, may I try my magic next time I see a goblin?”

“Unfortunately, you can't kill magic beasts with Wind, so no.”

“Yes. I will use Wind Cutter instead of Wind. Can't I defeat him with a Wind Cutter?”

“!!! Have you learned to use Wind Cutter? Where?”

“As I was using the Wind in different ways I wondered what would happen if I condensed the wind.

When I asked mother about it, she told me there was a magic called Wind Cutter, and then I somehow managed to use it.”

“...I see. Well, let's give it a try on the next one.”

“Thank you very much. But I have low magic power, so my range is short. I think my limit's probably 20m to 30m, so please follow up if there's anything.”

Zeke and Ike nodded at my words.

It didn't take long before we found our next target.

Three goblins again.

The difference from last time was that the goblins had already spotted us.

The distance was about 100 metres.

The goblins were running towards us. They were not that fast.

“Mars! Dad doesn't know the range of Mars so when they get within range, fire the Wind Cutter. When Mars shoots, Dad will shoot Stone Bullet too. Ike, try to take out the remaining one with your sword.”

“”Understood.””

Goblins approached.

50m

40m

30m

Aim for the neck. Let's go!

“Windcutter.”

My Wind Cutter easily took off the goblin's head.

Then Zeke's Stone Bullet also went through another goblin's head.

And the remaining goblin was easily decapitated by Ike.

The three of them looked at each other and laughed at their victory with much to spare.

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Author’s Note:

He had been able to use wind cutter since chapter 5. Zeke was not informed.

Chapter 8 : To Outside

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

1 year later.

I and Ike worked really hard.

We worked so hard that I doubt anyone would have in their childhood in my previous life.

It was a very fulfilling year.

First of all, my status.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Status: Good

Age: 3 years old

Level: 0

HP: 5/5

MP: 1541/1542

Strength: 2

Agility: 3

Magic: 6

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 3

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 5)

Unique ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 5/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv 1/B)

Firstly, my MP was significantly increased.

This is because it is now possible to clad myself with wind magic and MP can be depleted quickly if I ever wanted to.

Incidentally, I named the magic that clads the body with wind magic as 'wind-cloak’ (sylphid).

It consumes 5 MP per second, so it consumes 300 MP in one minute.

Although I still can't achieve an explosive increase in physical ability, I can now engage in sword fights on equal terms with Ike when I’m clad in wind-cloak.

Next, Ike.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title:

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 6 years old

Level: 0

HP: 16/16

MP: 60/60

Strength: 4

Agility: 5

Magic: 2

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 4

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv 2/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv 1/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv1/C)

Ike was trained in swordsmanship and spearmanship by his tutor, Frank.

He pushed himself quite hard and got a few injuries but I used holy magic to heal him behind Frank’s notice.

And his major accomplishment was that he became able to handle a fire spirit’s sword.

Zeke, Maria, and Frank were also surprised.

Nobody expected him to be able to handle a magic sword at the age of six.

Although it couldn’t be said that he has mastered the elemental sword, the fact of him being able to use it is amazing.

Perhaps Ike is a genius who works even harder than I do?

And, most importantly, the third child of the Bryant family.

Leena, the eldest daughter.

The father, Zeke, has brown hair.

The mother, Maria, also has brown hair.

The brother, Ike has red hair.

I have blonde hair.

And Leena has brown hair.

The result of Leena’s appraisal was such.

Name: Leena Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 0 years old

Level: 0

HP: 1/1

MP: 1/1

Muscular strength: 1

Agility: 1

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 1

Luck: 20

Special ability: Water magic (Lv0/C)

Special ability: Earth magic (Lv0/C)

Truly skills that wouldn’t let you doubt that the child is indeed Zeke and Maria’s.

Leena is not only Zeke and Maria's idol but also mine and Ike's.

She’s the first girl in the Bryant family and how could she not be cute?

I've had more chances to meet a few of the neighbourhood kids lately and every time I do an appraisal, I've never seen one with a D or above in talent.

All the Bryant children have at least two above C.

Are Zeke and Maria, in some way, amazingly gifted?

One would even think that the more family members of Bryant there are, the easier it will be to defeat demons.*1

Well, even if we don't say anything, there will still be more children.

After all, Maria is such a beautiful woman that it's hard to believe she already has three children.

She's only 25 and I will probably have two or three more brothers or sisters.

And today is the day of Ike's appraisal ceremony.

The appraisal ceremony must be taken at the church every time a child turns six.

Normally, the ceremony is done in the morning but Ike is the only one who takes it in the afternoon.

Ike's abilities are not something he wants to expose to the eyes of those around him, so we forced the decision to have it done in the afternoon.

Ike was also called a 'genius' and a 'child prodigy' by the church officials who were present at the evaluation.

Zeke and Maria asked the church officials present not to tell anyone about Ike's talent and the church agreed.

After the appraisal ceremony was successfully completed, a second family meeting was held at the Bryants’ home.

The agenda was the future of the Bryant family.

The four members of the family, excluding Leena, gathered around the table.

“Well, it's been a year since then. From my point of view, Ike and Mars seem to have grown beyond my expectations. Tomorrow, as we talked last year, I and Ike will start thinning out the magic beasts outside the city. I want Mars to support us with holy magic too but I want to hear everyone's opinion first.”

“I, trained with my everything for this. I would very much like to go outside the city with father and thin out the magic beasts. I have also been injured during training but without Mars' cure(heal), I would not have achieved as much from my training. So I would like to request Mars’s to be allowed to go too.”

There is a reason why Zeke said he wanted me to accompany him and Ike once again voiced it out to get permission for me to accompany them.

It was to persuade Maria.

Maria is not absolutely against it but I think she is still very worried.

Outside the city, there are not only magic beasts but also bandits.

“I am still worried, you see. If you take Mars with you, you can heal some wounds with holy magic.

I am sure that any battle will be secure.

But if you take him, he won't be able to escape in case of an emergency.

Mars is only three years old. No matter how much of a genius or prodigy he is, I think it's too early.

I feel it's too early even for Ike...

At the very least, if I could go with you but with Leena around, that's not possible.”

All three groaned with 'hmmm'.

No one is saying anything wrong. Besides, everyone is thinking calmly.

I don't think I have a say in this matter, so I keep quiet.

I really want to be a part of the team but I understand what Maria is saying.

In fact, I believe Maria is right.

It was Ike who broke the silence.

“I think what mother said is right. So can't you request an escort quest from the guild for just one week? Or if there is someone close to father and mother who knows how to do it instead, you could ask that person. Alternatively, there is the idea of buying slaves. In any case, I would prefer someone trustworthy, since we are assuming that Mars will be using holy magic.”

“With an escort quest, you'd have to nominate someone. And I can't think of anyone I'd be willing to give a nomination quest to. There's no one suitable amongst dad and mum’s acquaintances.

There are circumstances that make it a bit difficult to meet Ike and Mars's grandparents. The only option left is slaves huh... But you need money to buy slaves and you have to look after them after you buy them. I don't want to spend much while we can't dive into the labyrinth.”

Come to think of it, I've never met my grandma and grandpa, and I never hear from them.

Something must have happened to them.

Also, I hadn't really thought about it but it seems that you can make quite a lot of money by diving in the labyrinth.

Since the surrounding of a baronet are commoners, we are also commoners in a way but I feel that the standard of living of the Bryant family is clearly different from that of the commoners around. What about the other baronets?

Instead of diving labyrinth being profitable, it might just be Zeke and Maria that’s outstanding.

And there are slaves in this world, apparently.

I was somewhat proud to hear Zeke's statement that slaves need to be properly taken care of too.

But still, we are completely stuck in an impasse. Or so I thought.

“What does Mars think? Tell us honestly.”

Maria asked.

“I want to go with father and brother. It's just that normally I think what mother says is right...”

“...Then...the three of you should go as originally planned. But don't go to places that are far away or where magic pools are likely to form. In addition, you probably can't wear proper equipments since you are still children but you need to bring all the tools you need with you alright. There may be situations where you can't cure(heal) so make sure you take potions with you. Dear, please take care of them.”*2

Maria gave in and the three of us were able to go.

Tomorrow, we will start killing magic beasts outside the city.

I mean, I don't even know much inside the city so I'm just happy to be able to get out of the house.

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TL’s note:

1. The author seems to be trying to say Bryant family and their genes are better than any other family. So the larger their number, the easier it’ll be to deal with magic beasts.
2. Magic pool: a place where magic accumulates or magic is dense. The author just threw something new w/o much explanation.

Chapter 7 : Family Meeting

TL:SummerPeanut

TL: I think I forgot to mention the first volume is child arc.

====================================

On the night Zeke and Maria returned injured from the labyrinth. After dinner, I was about to practise my magic as usual.

When I sat up from my child's chair, Zeke said, 'Wait a minute'.

The family of four was sitting around the table.

Then Zeke cut in with his words.

“We're starting the Bryant family meeting now. On the agenda is the future of Ike and Mars.”

I and Ike stared at each other.

Then Ike asked.

“What is it about?”

“First of all, I'm thinking of teaching you about your father and mother's work - their position as adventurers and their fighting style.

Dad and mom are in a party called Brown Colored Shield(Brown Shield)].

It's a C-rank party. We mainly explore the labyrinth(dungeon) where we live, Almeria.

By the way, your father is a C rank adventurer and your mother is a D rank adventurer.

Ranks range from G to S.

G and F ranks are entry-level adventurers, E rank is basic-level, D rank is intermediate-level, C rank is advanced-level, and B rank and above can be knighted, taken up by the executives of the Knights’ Order or the Magicians’ Order. Anything so far that you don't understand or have any questions about?”

Then Ike asked.

”How does one become an S-rank adventurer?”

“I don't know how to become an S-rank adventurer either. Because even I've only seen B-rank adventurers. I'm sure there are such adventurers in the royal capital and larger labyrinth cities though.

Continuing the previous talk, the merit of forming a party is that, for example, let’s say there are four D-rank adventurers. If they are alone, they will not be able to take on C-rank quests. However, they are allowed to do so if they form a party of C rank.

The disadvantage is that if you are in a B-rank party or higher, you can be forcibly detained by the guild in the case of an emergency.

Guilds are basically independent of any country.

In the event of a stampede, the guilds are normally in charge of the adventurers.

However, in most cases, the nobility will order the guilds to protect them out of self-interest. The guilds cannot repel the pressure from the governing state and the nobles I suppose.

That is why they sometimes protect the distant and safe nobles rather than the dying commoners in front of them.

Because we don't like that, Maria and I won't ever be a B-rank party.

Our first priority is our family. If it comes down to it, I'll take Maria, Ike and Mars over anyone who's dying in front of me! I don't care what they think. Any questions up to here?”

It was unexpectedly heavy talk, so Ike and I nodded silently.

Zeke saw this and continued talking again.

“It is not only in the labyrinth that magic beasts appear. There are many outside the city too. And they've been increasing lately.

You might have already known this but the other day Count Carmel, the ruler of this land, came to both of us husband and wife to request our help to thin out the magic beasts in the labyrinth.

We wanted to keep this town safe so even though we were worried about Mars, we still went into the labyrinth.

But we thought it would be just me and Maria diving in.

But today, when I saw Mars's holy magic, I had a thought. To have both Ike and Mars to help.

Though originally, only after Ike turned 12, then I would bring him to go outside the city to hunt magic beasts with me.

Don't worry, I'm not saying we're going to dive into the labyrinth out of the blue. I'm only going to take on quests that focus on thinning out the magic beasts outside the city until Mars finishes his appraisal ceremony.”

I and Ike were still silent.

I just listened seriously to Zeke speaking.

“Again, it's still too early to suddenly go out and fight magic beasts so I'll hire a swordsmanship teacher for the two of you.

I'll make a decision after I see how Ike and Mars grow up in a year's time.

In addition, fundamentally, I don't want Mars to take part in the battle. I want him to support everyone with holy magic. So your swordsmanship practice is for self-defence in case of emergency. Is that alright?”

““Understood.””

I and Ike replied together.

But there was something I really needed to ask too.

“Father, mother, what happened to your injuries today?

If you don't mind, could you tell me?”

Then Zeke tried to answer but Maria, who had been silent until now, replied instead.

“It's my fault. I was fighting the magic beasts on the second level of the labyrinth, avoiding the magic beasts on the first level as usual, but I felt ill and was late in casting my magic.

Similar to how our party name has the word ‘Shield’ in it, our fighting style is mainly defensive.

To be more precise, your father fights mainly with the Earth Fortification(Earth Fortress) and myself with the Ice Fortification(Ice Fortress), but my activation of the Ice Fortress was delayed and I was attacked. Your father covered for me and managed to defeat the monster but he was injured in the exchange.”

“Don't you always bring along some sort of recovery medicine(potion) or something?”

“Right. I would usually have potions with me.”1

“I see.”

When I said that, Zeke said something very important.

“I have one more thing to say to you guys. You will have a brother or sister soon.”

““!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!””

I was so surprised.

Well, they didn't miss a single day without procreation activity so it's no surprise.

Because you were pregnant, your condition suddenly fell in the labyrinth and that led to the injury…

“Please don't force yourself again.”

When I say that, Maria...

“Yeah. I'll stay at home with you two tomorrow.”

Replied so.

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TL’s note:

1. I think this relates to the 2 grimoires they purchased or maybe due to the new sibling so they can’t afford potions. But the author left it the convo there for our imagination.

Chapter 6 : Holy Magic

TL:SummerPeanut

TL: Fire Spirit’s Sword(Salamander Sword) -> Fire Spirit’s Sword is translation of the kanji while Salamander sword is added by the author in the bracket in katakana. Maybe he wanted Fire Spirit’s Sword to be read as Salamander Sword?

====================================

“I got two very nice items today. I'll show you after dinner, now go and take a shower.”

Zeke spoke hurriedly in an excited fashion.

“Okay. Father.”

When Ike replied, I nodded and followed behind Ike.

After supper, Zeke pulled out a sword from his backpack which he always carries with him when he dives into the labyrinth.

The sheath of the sword was not flashy but it was beautifully decorated and there was a large red magic stone on the hilt of the sword. The blade boasted a beautiful silver colour.

“This is fire spirit’s sword (salamander sword). It seems to be a fire elemental sword. I had an appraiser check it out so I'm sure there's no mistake about it. Ike, this is the right sword for you as such I'm giving it to you. You must use it for justice alright.”

Ike sported a big smile on his face.

“Thank you. Father. I will become a fine man like you!”

So he said.

I appraised the fire spirit’s sword.

Name: Fire Spirit’s Sword (Salamander Sword)

Attack: 20

Special: Magic 2

Value: B

This is amazing.

No wonder Zeke and Maria came back so excitedly.

Incidentally, when I appraised a table or two around here.

Name: Table

Value: -

Were the details that only appeared.

Only rare items can be identified in detail, apparently.

It doesn't shame the word clairvoyance.

While Ike was being elated with the fire spirit’s sword, this time Maria said.

“Next is Mars. Look at this.”

After saying so, she took a book out of the rucksack.

It was an elementary holy magic grimoire.

“This is for you, Mars. Study it and learn it well.”

I was so surprised I did a guts-pose unwittingly.

“Thank you. I will work harder than ever.”

and received the elementary holy magic grimoire.

I practiced holy magic all that night, but I couldn't learn it.

Is it because my talent is only B that I can't learn it as well as wind magic?

Then Ike, who has a C talent in fire magic, must have worked very hard.

Thinking that must have been the case, I felt happy.

That it is more fun to work hard with everyone compared to being alone.

The next day when Zeke and Maria went to the labyrinth, we also did our usual daily routine.

Ike was practicing with his usual wooden sword, not the fire spirit’s sword he received yesterday.

“Brother Ike, why are you not using the fire spirit’s sword?”

When I asked so.

He replied “It still feels too early for me. Too much power is going to ruin me.”

Ike's answer was so dependable that I thought he was a reincarnated person too.

“As expected of brother. I too will try my best not to be too proud, following your example.”

I'll try my best to use holy magic too!

With that in mind, I tried to use holy magic, but to my surprise, my MP decreased by one on the first attempt.

Then, after chanting the beginner's holy magic cure(heal) many times, I grasped cure(heal) before lunch.

“Brother Ike! I can use cure(heal) now!”

When I said this to Ike, he looked happy.

“You did it. I scraped my knee while training earlier, try applying some cure(heal).”

“Yes, I understand. Cure(heal).”

The wound on Ike's knee then healed in the blink of an eye.

Ike looked very happy and gave me a fist bump.

Cure(heal) consumes 10 MP it is not yet known how much HP is recovered.

It would be best if I never had a chance to use it but that's definitely not the case.

I need to train myself to be able to activate the magic more smoothly.

Because magic takes time from the moment it was cast to the time it is activated.

My Wind activates with no time lag at all after I cast it but Ike's Fire takes about two seconds before it activates.

I heard that it takes even longer for intermediate magic and above.

After finishing the morning training and eating lunch, an incident occurred.

Zeke and Maria came back from the labyrinth with injuries.

Zeke and Maria's fighting style is iron defense.

They can dive into the labyrinth every day because they don't get injured but this is not the case for ordinary adventurers, so it is normal for others to rest for two or three days after diving into the dungeon.

“Father, mother! Are you alright?”

Ike ran up to them.

“We’ve had a bit of a screw-up. Sorry, but I need lots of wet towels.”

Zeke, who is on Maria's shoulder, spoke calmly.

“Sorry for worrying you. It's okay, just get us a towel please.”

Maria also replied gently.

In response, Ike immediately turned to leave to get the towels ready.

But I told Ike to wait a minute and I asked him to stay where he was and appraised Zeke and Maria.

Name: Zeke Bryant

Condition: Injury (Major)

HP: 10/48

Name: Maria Bryant

Condition: Injury (minor)

HP: 24/40

Apparently, Zeke was more seriously injured.

And I applied cure(heal) to the severely wounded Zeke.

“Cure(heal)."

Name: Zeke Bryant

Condition: Injury (minor)

HP: 25/48

One cure(heal) restored 15 HP.

So I thought that he would be fully recovered two more times.

“Cure(heal).”

“Cure(heal)."

So I chanted it twice.

Name: Zeke Bryant

Condition: Good

HP: 48/48

Zeke and Maria were very surprised to see the scene.

Not caring about that, I casted cure(heal) twice on Maria as well.

Name: Maria Bryant

Condition: Good

HP: 40/40

They both recovered their HP.

“How are you, Father and Mother? Are you still in any pain?”

I asked.

“... W-well, that really helped. Thank you.”

Zeke said, and Maria.

“Thank you! Looks like you can use cure(heal) now!”

She hugged me as she said happily.

After recovering, they went straight to the bathroom to wash off their fatigue and dirt.

Ike and I were relieved to see that.

That night a family meeting was held.

====================================

Author’s note:

I plan to post another chapter today.

TL: Not me. I said nothing. :x

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Chapter 5 : The First Magic

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

The next day Zeke bought an elementary wind grimoire and an elementary fire grimoire.

Apparently, holy grimoires were not sold in shops because there was no demand for them.

Also, grimoires are very expensive and even if they were sold, the holy grimoires were apparently unaffordable.

Even the two elementary ones cost 10 gold coins each.

A normal baronet would never be able to afford this but fortunately the Bryant family 'still' had the money.

However, it is said that the purchase of the two grimoires caused the family's finances to tighten considerably.

Incidentally, one gold coin costs about 100,000 Japanese yen.

Two books are worth two million.

They moved to the garden and each started practicing magic.

I know they expect a lot from me so I'm trying my best to learn wind magic too.

Ike also knows the value of the grimoire and is working hard to learn fire magic.

Incidentally, I heard that Ike also became able to even circulate magic yesterday.

The problem with both of us is that we can't read that many characters.

So Maria is there for me and Zeke for Ike, teaching us the contents of the book.

The most important thing is to transmit the magic power from the dantian to the tips of the hands and chant ‘Wind’ when the magic power builds up.

I think I'm getting the hang of it, little by little.

This is because my MP was not decreasing at the start but my MP is decreasing by one every time I chant wind now.

And that happened after dozens of attempts.

“Wind.”

Then magic is released from my right hand, creating a line of wind.

The wind immediately subsided but the magic was definitely activated.

The MP consumption was 5.

When the three of them saw it, they were pleased.

I could feel a strong will from Ike that he would do it too.

And a few days later, Ike was also able to use fire after suffering from magic depletion many times.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

A year later, I was two and Ike was five.

Of course, I never stopped practicing magic all the time.

Zeke and Maria were stunned when I was able to use magic while running.

It's amazing to be able to run at my age, but apparently, it was supposed to be impossible to release magic while doing something else.

Also, I started wielding a stick in the garden to strengthen my swordsmanship.

I'm still a lot weaker than Ike but I'm also thinking of learning swordsmanship in earnest.

This is what my two-year-old status looks like.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 2 years old

Level: 0

HP: 2/2

MP: 640/640

Strength: 2

Agility: 2

Magic: 5

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 2

Luck: 30

Unique ability: Innate talent (LvMax)

Unique Ability: Clairvoyance (Lv 5)

Unique Ability: Lightning magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv0/B)

Special ability: Wind magic (Lv 4/A)

Special ability: Holy magic (Lv0/B)

I have been practicing wind magic all my time, so only wind magic has increased in level.

I can now use the intermediate magic Windcutter, but it is not the kind of magic that I could use in town so I only used wind. But with an MP consumption of 5, it is hard to deplete my magic power.

Incidentally, it is said that you can join a magicians order if you can use intermediate magic. It's the magician version of the knights order.

Ike is growing up nicely too.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 5 years old

Level: 0

HP: 5/5

MP: 40/40

Strength: 3

Agility: 4

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 2

Endurance: 2

Luck: 10

Special Ability: Swordsmanship (Lv1/C)

Special ability: Spearmanship (Lv0/B)

Special ability: Fire magic (Lv1/C)

Ike learned fire magic and then focused on swordsmanship.

Zeke and Maria had been diving in the labyrinth, leaving me to Ike's care. This is because Ike had become a reliable five years old.

The reason for this was that recently the number of magic beasts have been increasing so that Count Carmel, who controls this land, had apparently asked Zeke and Maria to defeat the magic beasts in the labyrinth personally.

Count Carmel himself owned the knights and the magician order, but the knights fight mainly on horseback and are not suited for diving into the labyrinth.

Also, the magicians order only has small number of magicians to begin with and thus such a valuable force cannot be sent to the labyrinth.

The status of Zeke and Maria looks like this.

Name: Zeke Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, head of the Bryant baronet

Condition: Good

Age: 25 years old

Level: 21

HP: 48/48

MP: 70/70

Strength: 10

Agility: 15

Magic: 30

Dexterity: 14

Endurance: 16

Luck: 10

Special ability: Knifemanship (Lv 2/D)

Special ability: Earth magic (Lv 5/C)

Name: Maria Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, first wife of the Bryant baronet

Condition: Good

Age: 24 years old

Level: 19

HP: 40/40

MP: 62/62

Strength: 9

Agility: 14

Magic: 29

Dexterity: 16

Endurance: 12

Luck: 10

Special ability: Knifemanship (Lv 2/D)

Special ability: Water magic (Lv 5/C)

I guess they are both typical sorcerers so their muscle power is low.

But still, to think their MP is this low.

I want to see how they fight in the labyrinth.

I heard that today, too, Zeke and Maria two are going to dive into the labyrinth and thin out the magic beasts from now on.

Though, they're not going to the deeper floors because of us.1

When they went to the labyrinth, Ike and I were practicing swordsmanship in the garden as usual.

Well, it wouldn't look like practice for a two-year-old me wielding a stick but I was doing secret practices.

That I was secretly practicing to put wind around my body to improve my physical abilities.

I'd been doing it ever since I started practicing swordsmanship but I still can't do it even now.

However, I'm not going to give up just because I can't do it.

I'm going to keep doing it for at least 10 years.

Then, as usual, after practicing swordsmanship for three hours, I eat lunch, and after that, I continue to use wind magic until I reach 0 MP and go to bed.

And after sleeping for three hours, you can find me practicing swordsmanship outside again.

Meanwhile, Ike practices swordsmanship and fire magic in the morning and spearmanship in the afternoon.

Zeke and Maria bought wooden swords and spears for me and Ike.

When Ike uses the wooden sword in the morning, I use the stick, and when Ike uses the wooden spear in the afternoon, I get to use the wooden sword.

Ike is a martial artist so it's better for Ike to use something solid, and above all, even if it's just a wooden sword, I'm still too young to handle a wooden sword as a two-year-old boy.

In summary, one of the reasons of wanting to be able to clad myself with wind is to freely wield the wooden sword.

And around 17:00, Zeke and Maria came back looking very excited.

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TL’s note:

1. They are worried about their children and can only go to the first few floors of the labyrinth so that they can return at the end of the day. Or at least that’s the nuance for now.

Chapter 4 : Magic’s Tidbits

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

Next day.

After waking up in the morning, I brushed my teeth before heading to the living room.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

Zeke and Maria replied in response to my greeting.

Ike seemed to still be sleeping.

“Mars, the thing about yesterday, Dad and Mom decided to teach Mars some magic.

Before we do that, you have to promise me one thing. Holy magic is rare and valuable magic that heals people's injuries and illnesses.

You won’t know what the bad guys will do to you if they managed to catch you. So you must never tell anyone else that they can use it until you grow up... or until your dad and mom say it's okay. Understood?”

“Yes, I understand. Please take care of me.”

“Okay, I'll teach you the basics first. After that, we'll find out what kind of magic Mars is good at.”

“Understood. How can I do that?”

“First, focus your attention on the dantian1, which is a little below the navel.

That's where the magic power is stored. You have to be aware of circulating that magic power through your body.

It will be difficult at first but if you can't do it, you won't be able to use magic even if you have the talent with holy magic.”

“I understand. Father. I will try it!”

As soon as I replied, I immediately understood that the dantian was a pool of magical power.

However, I just can't get it to circulate throughout my body.

After struggling for about 10 minutes, Maria gave me some advice.

“Try to be conscious of the blood flowing from the dantian.”

Mobilizing all the knowledge I learned in my previous life. I managed to visualize it.

Then when it seemed that the magic power was circulating in my body, I started to feel a little hot.

“Oh. It looks like you've done it. And the amount of magic power seems to be very high.

I can't believe it, but I feel it's far above mine and Maria’s.”

“Yes, it's already extraordinary for a one-year-old to be able to talk and walk normally, but I've never seen such a level of magical power. As long as he has the magical aptitude...”

“Right. I bought the crystals last night, so we'll do an appraisal. Let's start with Ike.”

After Zeke said so, he brought Ike who was sleeping in the bedroom.

“Ike, say status open.”

“Yes. Father. Status open.”

Ike's status is then projected onto the crystal.

But not as detailed as my appraisal.

Name: Ike Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 4 years old

Level: 0

HP: 4/4

MP: 1/1

Strength: 2

Agility: 3

Magic: 1

Dexterity: 2

Endurance: 2

Special ability: Swordsmanship

Special ability: Spearmanship

Special ability: Fire magic

Zeke and Maria who saw these results.

“Amazing! Ike has swordsmanship and spearmanship, plus a flair for fire magic! I want Ike to train in magic too! It wouldn't be just a dream to be the commander in a knight order!”

“Yes! It's no exaggeration to say he’s a child prodigy. Let’s make sure to raise him right.”

When Ike was told this, he still didn't seem to know exactly what they were talking about but he seemed to understand that Zeke and Maria were happy about him, and thus he seemed happy.

“Now Mars. Say status open.”

“Yes. Status open.”

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner.

Condition: Good.

Age: 1 year old

Level: 0

HP: 1/1

MP: 292/292

Muscular strength: 1

Agility: 1

Magic: 2

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 1

Special ability: Swordsmanship

Special ability: Wind magic

Special ability: Holy magic

“What the hell... 292 MP...

That's almost five times more than the sorcerers me and Maria,...”

“So this is a genuine prodigy. Besides holy magic, you can also use wind magic... So the myth that holy magicians are so loved by the gods that they can't use other kinds of magic was a lie.”

“One thing's for sure, both our kids are abnormals. With their strength, it might even be possible to conquer the world.”

As expected, I'm pretty gifted after all.

And I don't want to just sit on with this gift, I want to work twice, or even three times harder than others.

I'd rather work three times as hard as anyone else because I believe my real talent is the hard work I inherited from my previous life.

Here, Zeke muttered with a troubled face.

“Hey, how come my and Maria's kids and neither of them have earth magic and water magic? No way... no, that's not possible.”

“Dear. It's definitely our child. I swear to God, I would never have children with anyone else.”

“Well, yeah, that's right. After all that many times we did, of course, they're our kids.”

What are you talking about in front of your kids?

“Father, Mother, I can now circulate magic but how can I use magic?”

“Ah, ah. Actually, your father can only use earth magic and for your mother, water magic. So since we can't use holy magic, wind magic, or fire magic, I'll get you a grimoire later. Mars, you need to learn language otherwise you won’t be able to read the grimoire.”

“Thank you. Then I'll study the language while practicing my magic circulation.”

Afterward Ike said.

“If Mars is going to practice magic, I'm going to practice magic too.”

And they began practicing the magic circulation.

Zeke and Maria happily watch their children practice their magic.

Who wouldn't be happy to see their children doing their best?

Let's work hard to serve filial duty!

====================================

Author’s note:

Thank you for reading.

TL’s note:

This is not obvious in English but both Ike and Mars speak polite/formal language. But I don’t think ‘dearest father/mother, or lord brother’ actually makes sense here so I do them away.

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TL’s note:

1. You will know if you read some martial art or cultivation novels. The so-called point within our body where life force or some form of energy gathers.

Chapter 3 : Nice to Meet you Isekai-san

TL:SummerPeanut

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It's been half a year since I was reincarnated into another world.

I've learned a little bit about this world.

First of all, I was born as [Mars Bryant], the second son of a baronet family.

Father [Zeke Bryant] 23 years old, brown-haired handsome mage

Mother [Maria Bryant] 22 years old, brown-haired beautiful mage

Older brother [Ike Bryant] 3 years old, red-haired mischievous boy

That’s the family structure.

The father, Zeke, and mother, Maria, made a name for themselves as labyrinth adventurers and were knighted as baronets after presenting the king with some very rare and valuable items.

In this world, there are labyrinths where you can find magic beasts inside. You will find treasure chests if you go deeper, magic stones and sometimes materials from the magic beasts, and very valuable things from the treasure chests apparently.

It seems that magic beasts appear in places other than the labyrinth, and recently the number of magic beasts has been increasing.

Zeke and Maria both seem to be wizards.

I've appraised them before but I can't see the detailed status because the level of the unique ability clairvoyance is too low.

All I can see is [name] and [status].

Ike is a naughty boy that’s addicted to playing swordplay.

He's still wielding a stick even now.

And as for me, I was weaned the other day.

This body of mine seems to be very exceptionally competent. Although I can't speak yet, I can understand what they are saying.

And best of all, I can now walk albeit unsteadily.

The fact that I can walk is a progress but I made another progress too.

And that is.

(Status open)

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Level: 0

HP: 1/1

MP: 10/10

Muscular strength: 1

Agility: 1

Magic power: 1

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 1

Unique ability: Innate talent

Unique ability: Clairvoyance

Unique ability: Lightning magic

Special ability: Swordsmanship

Special ability: Wind magic

Special ability: Holy magic

That is on the day before yesterday my maximum value of MP increased.

When I first saw my status, the maximum MP was 1.

When I used clairvoyance, my MP dropped to 0, I felt tired, and I lost consciousness.

The next time I woke up, my maximum MP was 2.

I used clairvoyance again while thinking that my MP will increase everytime I used up my MP. I fainted every single time I did that.

I repeated the process of where my max MP increased every time I woke up.

Also, it seems that in the status open, you can't see the condition, luck, magic or swordmanship talent level.

Perhaps they can only be seen in the boundary world as the demi-god said.

I plan to have breakfast then use my clairvoyance to do appraisals to use up my MP before going to bed today too.

I staggered to the living room and sat down at the table with my family of four as usual.

The staple food in this world seems to be bread, and all three meals are served with bread.

I was thinking that I'm more of a rice person myself while Maria fed me bread she dipped in milk to let it soften.

The conversation on the table went along the line of this.

“Mars is really levelheaded huh. Even if it’s unsteadily, he's already walking in 6 months.

And he seems to know exactly what we're talking about.”

“That's true. It was a real handful with Ike last time but Mars is the extreme opposite to the point I’m worried about him. Maybe with Ike around, it provided him a positive stimulus.”

“Mars is amazing, isn't he? He's not like other babies.”

I am being praised.

I repeated to myself I have to work hard as I contemplate whether I’m the type who grow from compliments.

After finishing my meal, I started walking to strengthen my legs and feet and I used clairvoyance to spend all my MP when I got tired.

I can't wait to be independent and work hard for my family!

I'll have to do at least twice as much this time as I couldn't fulfill filial duty for my parents in my previous life.

Six months have passed since then, and it's been a year since I was reincarnated.

I've been depleting my magic power and running around rather than walking, not skipping a single day. I had even started to speak.

I've been depleting my magic 5 times a day, so my MP has increased a lot.

In addition, because of the extensive use of clairvoyance, the skill level has also increased and more detailed information than just the ‘status open’ can be seen.

There is this ‘age’ status different from the boundary world.

The good thing about clairvoyance is that unlike ‘status open’, it can also appraise others.

In order to distinguish between the status open and the status using the clairvoyance, the clairvoyance is called appraisal instead.

Here's what I got after my appraisal.

Name: Mars Bryant

Title: -

Status: Human race, commoner

Condition: Good

Age: 1 year old

Level: 0

HP: 1/1

MP: 290/291

Muscular strength: 1

Agility: 1

Magic power: 2

Dexterity: 1

Endurance: 1

Luck: 30

Unique Ability: Innate talent (LvMAX)

Unique Ability: Clairvoyance (Lv5)

Unique Ability: Lightning Magic (Lv0/S)

Special ability: Swordsmanship (Lv0/B)

Special Ability: Wind Magic (Lv0/A)

Special Ability: Holy Magic (Lv0/B)

Perhaps due to the repeated magic power depletion, it has been increased by 1.

It's really great to be able to see the results of your efforts. It makes you want to work harder and harder.

However, there is one problem now.

The MP that can be consumed by the clairvoyance is 1 so I couldn’t consume all my MP at all.

Afterall I don't know how to use magic.

Even if I chant ‘Thunder!’ or ‘Raiden!’, nothing seemed to work.

As expected, I need to learn how to use magic.

Currently, I’m eating dinner.

In the course of the meal, I asked Zeke and Maria.

“How do you use magic?”

They look at each other, surprised that a child who is just a year old would ask such a question.

“Mars knows magic? And why do you want to use it?”

“If I have the talent, I want to learn it early and give it my full effort.”

“Well, maybe Mars can use it. But even Ike who’s four year old is not ready. I'll teach you both when Ike is ready.”

“When will brother learn magic?”

“When Ike turns six, we'll have a ritual to test his aptitude and then Mars will have his aptitude tested and learn magic.”

Two more years?

I don't want to waste two years of my life.

So I decided to try another question.

“What kind of magic is holy magic?”

When I asked this, Zeke and Maria stared at each other with more surprise than before.

My brother Ike was very interested in what we have to say. Ike is definitely a carrier of the middle school disease.

“Where did you learn that word?”

“It came to me in a dream. I dreamt that I was healing mother and father.”

“Dear, if he is capable of using holy magic, we must teach it to them at an early age and make sure they are aware of its dangers. The ability’s too rare and you never know what might happen.”

“Hmm, Mars, your father and your mother are going to discuss some matter now, so go to bed early. We'll talk again tomorrow.”

“All right. I’ll be waiting for good news. Good night, father, mother and brother Ike”

““”Good night”””

By the way, this is what my brother, Ike, is capable of.

Name: Ike Bryant.

Title: -

Status: Human, commoner.

Condition: Good

Age: 4 years old

Level: 0

HP: 4/4

MP: 1/1

Muscle strength: 2

Agility: 3

Magic power: 1

Dexterity: 2

Endurance: 2

Luck: 10

Special ability: Swordmanship (Lv0/C)

Special Ability: Spearmanship (Lv0/B)

Special ability: Fire Magic (Lv0/C)

This kind of specs at level 0.

He seems to be quite the martial artist type.

By the way, it is said that special ability is inherited from parents to some extent in normal circumstances.

My father Zeke has earth magic and my mother Maria has water magic.

Apparently, the Bryant family is not normal.

With this in mind, I do my best to appraise to deplete the MPs before going to bed.

I hope they will tell me tomorrow.

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<<Prev 

Next>> 

Chapter 2 : Boundary World

TL:SummerPeanut

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I found myself in a white world when I woke up.

An empty world. I guess I was struck by lightning and died.

I wonder what happened after that. Sigh, I was not filial to my parents. I wanted to study harder, get into a university and enjoy campus life.

While I was thinking about this, before I knew it, a white old man appeared in front of me.

I can't really see him well. He seemed to be fading.

And then he said

“You’re finally awake. Let me apologize first. I have troubled you.”

“Although I’m really confused and unable to grasp my current circumstances, pleased to meet you. I am Fujisaki. May I know why you are apologizing to me?”

“It is because I pierced you three. In other words, I accidentally killed you.”

“First thing first, who are you? Is this heaven?”

“I am a Demi-God. This is the boundary world or, in simpler terms, one step away from heaven. I wanted to give a divine punishment to the world I manage but for some reason it was absorbed into your world. I am really sorry about that.”

“What will happen to me now?”

“I will reincarnate you with my authority. However, I am not able to return you to your former world. Unfortunately, I can only reincarnate you to the world I manage. In addition, I do not have much time left. As much as I would like to grant you special power, it seems that I do not have much power left.”

I thought that was very high-handed of him.

One-sidedly reincarnating people. And the most painful part of is not being able to leave a single word to my parents.

I wanted to be filial to my parents.

But there is no point in wasting time here.

I need to extract more information.

“What kind of world am I going to be living in?”

“It's a fantasy world as what your world termed as sword and magic. There are a lot of magic beasts in that world today, and some places are quite dangerous. Although I said I didn’t have much power left to grant you, I would try my best to fulfill your needs. I can give you two inherent skills. The other two only have one, but you are special.”

I didn't understand why I’m special but I'll ask you a few questions at once first.

“May I ask you a few questions?”

“I don't have a lot of time, but I'll answer as many as I can.”

“How old will I be when I am reborn?”

“Zero. That is to say, you will be born as a normal human being.”

“What kind of family environment will I have?”

“I can assure you that you will be well provided for at least.”

“Can I use magic?”

“Yes, reincarnators can. But not all of them.”

“Not all of them? How many different kinds of magic are there?”

“Fire, water, wind, earth are the four main attributes and then holy magic. Also, there are a few more kinds depending on the race.”

“What attributes would I have?”

“Say the word ‘status open’. While you are here, you can see your abilities in detail. You will still be able to see them in the reincarnated world, but not as detailed.”

I did as I was told and said the keyword. "Status open."

Name: Fujisaki Yuusho

Title: -

Status: Dead

Level: 0

HP: 0/0

MP: 0/0

Muscle strength: 0

Agility: 0

Magic power: 0

Dexterity: 0

Endurance: 0

Luck: 30

Unique ability(Unique skill): Lightning Magic(Lv0/S)

Special Ability(Skill): Swordsmanship(Lv0/B)

Special ability(Skill): Wind magic(Lv0/A)

Special Ability(Skill): Holy Magic(Lv0/B)

“What the heck is this?”

“Huh. It’s quite amazing even if I don’t grant you any power.”

“Does this mean I can use lightning, wind and holy magic?”

“Yes. To be precise, you become more suited to use them. You have to put in effort to use it.”

“Can I use any other magic? And what is the difference between lightning magic and the other spells in the Special Ability (Skill) category?”

“A unique skill is an ability that only you can use in the world. Therefore, you are the only one who can use lightning magic. You can also use holy magic, which has very few users. If you increase your magic power, it may be possible to use other magics as well. One piece of advice, though, is to not tell anyone about your status unnecessarily. Tell only to those you trust."

“Thank you very much. What is the level of civilization in that world? And what is the ‘S’ at the end of the lightning spell?”

“The level of civilisation in your world is about that of the Middle Ages in the west. S refers to your talent of that skill.

I digress but S is at the level where you will wonder if there’s even a single person on that level. It is fine to think that there are no two S's in that world.

S -> A -> B -> C -> D -> E -> F -> G. Depending on the time period, even not a single A talent might appear at all.”

Oh, apparently I’ve been blessed with talent.

Somehow I want to quickly be reincarnated and work hard after hearing that.

But I still need to collect information.

“I'm running out of time. What abilities do you want? I'll help you as much as I can.”

“Then I'd like to be blessed with a talent where effort is rewarded proportionally.”

“Isn't that a normal thing?”

“Maybe it's normal, but in my case it's possible that my status won't increase at all even if my level rises...”

“I see, then I will grant you innate talent.

Some people call this a faulty ability, but it's not. Some people have fallen behind because of this ability but I'm sure you'll be fine.

The experience required to reach the next level is three times that of others. However, as you level up, all your abilities except luck will increase 1 by 1. The experience required to raise the level of unique and special abilities remains the same however.

Also, the speed of recovery of magic power becomes faster.

By the way, not all abilities increase by 1 when you level up.

Other than HP, MP and luck, all other abilities increase by 2 to 5 usually."

So I can definitely grow more than others.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Then I will grant you the other ability as much as I can with my remaining powers.

Let’s see, if I have any power left I’ll give you the ‘Clairvoyance’.

It is a very useful ability because it enables you to assess other people and things, to know the flow of magic, and to see at night. It has other functions but due to time limitations I’ll stop my explanation here.”

“What will happen to you?”

“I will die after I reincarnate you. My clones will take care of the other two. As they are clones, they will have only half the power of the original me so I will not be able to give them as much power and explanation as I did to you.”

“I…see.”

“Well, it looks like time is really running out. Please do well there for my sake too.”

He disappeared.

And then my reincarnation began.

I looked at my status one last time.

Name: Fujisaki Yuusho

Title: -

Status: Dead

Level:0

HP: 0/0

MP: 0/0

Muscle strength: 0

Agility: 0

Magic power: 0

Dexterity: 0

Endurance: 0

Luck: 30

Unique ability(Unique Skill): Innate Talent(LvMAX)

Unique ability(Unique Skill): Clairvoyance (Lv1)

Unique ability(Unique Skill): Lightning Magic(Lv0/S)

Special Ability(Skill): Swordsmanship(Lv0/B)

Special Ability(Skill): Wind Magic(Lv0/A)

Special ability(Skill): Holy Magic(Lv0/B)

It seems that I have safely received the clairvoyance ability.

It's the start of another world from here on.

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<<Prev 

Next>> 

Chapter 1 : Prologue

TL:SummerPeanut

TL: Still in the middle of reading but this web novel seems decent? Will probably continue until vol.2 then decide if I'll continue with this series. I was reading another webnovel about a female noble being sold to enemy country but wasn’t that interesting even after reading 11+ raw chapters.

Anyway, as usual, I don’t guarantee my translation accuracy but I hope I can still convey what the author wanted to.

Author’s note:

This is my first upload. I somehow wrote this following my random feeling, please read it with big magnanimity in your heart.

====================================

I guess I didn’t make it this time either.

I (Fujisaki Yuusho, 20 y.o), a second-year NEET, was disappointed from seeing the returned result of the national mock exam.

But I can’t just stay depressed.

My motto is ‘Anything is possible if you put your mind to it’.

It’s just that I didn’t put in enough effort.

I studied for my 3rd entrance exam as I believe that is the case.

Up until now, I had only studied 12 hours a day so I will start studying 15 hours a day from now on.

And after I got accepted into the university, I want to play baseball.

By the way, my first choice is the most famous ‘mammoth’ university in Japan that maintained that position for 3 years in a row.

My standardized test score is apparently about 50.*1

My classmates that started studying in summer of their 3rd year had joined university with better standardized test score result. Meanwhile, I started to study hard since my first year.

There was a time when I was jealous of the way they passed the exams, as if they were ridiculing my efforts.

But I told myself that I just wasn’t trying hard enough.

It was the same with baseball.

I had been playing baseball since before I started primary school, but I had never been a regular player.

Neither the junior high school nor the high school was a strong school in terms of their baseball team.

In high school, I was not even put on the bench once.*2

I thought to myself, ‘I have to do my best’ as I started to write with a mechanical pencil.

‘Crack!’

I'd been studying for a few hours and my pencil lead broke.

I'd run out of refills too so I'll have to go to the local convenience store and buy some more.

I also ran out of loose-leaf, so I'll buy some too.

I got ready and head for the convenience store late at night.

It was raining heavily and there was thunder outside too.

As soon as I arrived at the convenience store, I suddenly felt the need to go to the toilet and called out to the female clerk.

“Can I use the toilet?”

“Please go ahead.”

‘Is this girl a new staff?’ She's about my age, and I don't think I've ever seen a clerk as pretty as her.

I often come to this neighborhood convenience store.

Since it’s this me saying it's the first time I've seen her, I’m sure that is the case.

As I finished my duties in the toilet and exited it while musing about such thought, I quickly noticed the change in the store’s atmosphere.

I heard a man shouting out loud.

"Give me the money!"

A man wearing an eye patch, probably about 1.7m tall, was holding a knife to the face of the new female clerk.

A male clerk was watching from the backyard. He must be cowering in fear.

He didn’t seem to be helping the woman at all. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be according to their manual?

In contrast, the new female clerk seemed to be calm.

She immediately opened the register and handed over the money.

The robber received it and

“Fuck you! There’s no way this is enough! Get more from the next register!”

He shouted in agitation at the new female clerk.

I sneaked up behind the robber, who seems to be distracted by his own agitation.

I had taken a deck brush from the toilet.

“Get it faster! Move faster! I’ll kill you, you know!”

The robber spit and yelled.

Just as he was about to pull a knife on the woman, I made my move.

I got behind him silently and gave a full swing with the deck brush at his arm.

It felt like the purpose why I have been swinging the bat for 10 years is for this very moment!

And it paid off in spades.

‘Whoosh!’

The deck brush hit the man in the right shoulder with the sound of wind being cut.

“UWAa!”

The robber, startled by my sudden appearance and in pain, let go of the knife in his right hand.

He glared and shouted back at me.

“I’ll fucking kill you!”

The man then pulled out a new knife from the pocket of his hoodie and held it in his left hand.

With surprising calmness, he backed away to the entrance to the convenience store so as not to be sandwiched between me and the woman.

His right hand was slanted down due to the full force of my swing.

In my right hand, I have a deck brush that was broken from the impact of my full swing.

In a way, it posed more threat than how it was before it broke. The broken end was jagged after all.

The lady clerk took the opportunity to sound the alarm.

“PIRINRINRINRINRINRIN”

When the alarm sounded, the robber gave up and ran outside.

I wasn't planning to chase him but I went outside to see which way he went.

When I went outside under the heavy rain, the robber noticed me and stopped running. He, instead, came at me while brandishing a knife and screaming!

I hesitated on whether I should run or not but since the other side only had his left hand, I decided to face him.

I held my deck brush to intercept the knife-wielding robber.

I ducked down to dodge and tried to use the broken deck brush to get rid of the robber's knife in his left hand but he must have been expecting such action. I can feel the robber's determination not to let go of the knife.

The visibility was also very poor because of the heavy rain.

The decisive moment came when the knife couldn’t be seen.

That was when the robber swung the knife down on me.

I backed up and tried to untangle away from him but he stopped in the middle of his swing and stabbed straight at me.*3

He had only been swinging the knife randomly before but he suddenly tried to stab me.

Since it’s not possible to handle the sudden change in pattern, I wouldn’t be able to avoid it at this rate.

The robber’s face sported a small smile, thinking that he had finally won.

Right at the moment before the knife made a hole on my arm, it was smacked down to the ground.

The female clerk swung a kind of stick into the man's hand.

The clerk holding the stick was dignified and even with her face wet from the rain, she was recognisably beautiful.

“Thanks! You saved me!”

“Thank you too! You helped me just now!”

We both thanked each other loudly without taking our eyes off the robber.

Then, as we approached the robber, a light surrounded us.

That light enveloped the three of us.

‘Boom, boom, boom, boom!’

The sound came later but I was swallowed by the rush of light and my consciousness faded away.

====================================

Author’s note:

I'll be updating this page from time to time. I'll be back soon.

I hope you can read until the end of volume 2 before giving your review.

I feel that there are many weird use of language on top of the typographical errors but I hope you can be lenient on that part.

If you find any mistakes, please report them to me.

Next>> 

TL’s note:

1. mangadex(.)org/chapter/79c55cca-ede6-426f-a855-b4800ea26441/20. All credits for this explanation is to Ai’s fanclub group
2. I think being put on the bench means being a substitute player?
3. I didn’t know robbers and random baseball students these days can do combat.

The Sacrificial Girl Was Not Eaten Due to Her Name

Author: 柏いち

TL: summerpeanut

"────Let us hunt down god."

The people in the audience room were startled by the girl's words.

It was too irreverent, even for a princess. Someone shouted ‘Take back your words.’

“We are frightened of the god.”

“Pray tell, why should we be afraid?”

“We do as we are told and no more we prepare sacrifices, we flatter him.”

“Pray tell, are we, humans, not supposed to be more unfettered than that?”

“Let us stand up. Let us make a stand.”

“Let us end the rule of god and begin the rule of man.”

“Let us get rid of these chains with our own hands.”

‘Ah!’, someone muttered.

The princess's eyes were burning like a flame.

Her words were like a sharp knife.

It was a hope that everyone had thought of at one time or another, but had hidden in the corners of their hearts.

Those who were about to scoff at such a dream story gasped when they saw her expression.

Indeed, her sister was…

Her sister was the sacrifice.

She wasn't going to make it for her sister.

And yet, even then.

So that the tragedy won’t be repeated yet again. So that no one else would have to suffer the pain of losing his or her beloved sister.

The princess stood up.

And the flames spread.

Here and now, those who wanted to hunt the god let out a roar.

♢♢♢

“Ahh, I feel tipsy.”

The woman moaned in the rattling carriage. This vehicle, which was not designed for sightseeing, did not allow even a single ray of sunlight to pass through. On top of that, she didn't have any passengers to talk to. Her butt hurt too.

The woman that was lying around as her rears reached her limits──── was named Centipede*. She was being transported.

Q. Where to?

A. To god.

What's more, Centipede's occupation is a sacrifice.

She is a professional sacrificial who received gifted education from the age of zero.

That day they were born as the twin daughters of the king.

The older sister was to be educated as a princess, while the younger sister, Centipede, was locked up in a dungeon as a sacrifice.

Once upon a time, hundreds of years ago, there had been a tradition in this country where sacrifices were made to the god and wishes were prayed for. A national project, if you will. There was no way that a single girl could resist, and Centipede had been living in a dungeon until she turned 16 years old.

She slept in a shabby bed in the dungeon and ate meals that were not very tasty.

Every once in a while, she would be taken outside to soak up the sun.

She stared at books with holes in them because she could only read simple words.

A man who looked like a priest makes her recite, ‘You will be dedicated to your country’ and ‘You will die with honor.’

That daily routine, which would have driven a normal person crazy, was not so painful for Centipede who was a bit of a freak. It was true that when she saw her sister with the same face being fawned over, she felt a burning sensation in her stomach but that was all.

Rather, she spent most of her time striving to have an ideal image of sacrifice. In a picture book given to her on a whim, she saw a princess caught by a monster and trembling. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her the moment she saw it.

This woman .....is good!

Centipede strongly felt that this was what a sacrifice should be like, a pathetic figure that stirred up the tragedy of the story. So she lived her life, refining the aesthetics of a sacrifice every day.

However, there was one thing that she wanted to complain to the kingdom about and that was her name. A bug crawled in the bottom of dungeons, Centipede────. To have her name taken from a bug left her with no words.

For the sake of argument. It's fortunate that she had become attached to them because they had the same name as her even though they looked so unpleasant.

But what about god? Wouldn’t the god hate to eat a being called Centipede? If he cared about the health of the sacrifice, he should have taken care of the name as well.

Let's say you are a god. What if you were told ‘Here you go’ and the sacrifice that was offered to you was named Centipede? I'd have a hard time eating it because of the wriggling guy in my brain.

Cookies. If the sacrifice was called a cookie, it would be delicious with a cup of tea.

Maybe god doesn't care about such trivial things but..

Her professionalism as a 16 year sacrifice.

As someone that was raised to be redundant, she couldn’t help but feel a bit down.

“Lord Amsidene, this is the sacrifice. This one’s name is Centipede.”

“I am Centipede. Pleased to meet you.“

Centipede did not overlook. That moment when he heard the name Centipede, the beautiful man in front of her distorted his face.

“..................”

“..................”

A large clearing.

The messenger got into the carriage at lightning speed and had already left. So now there was only Centipede and the god who was called Amsidene here.

Taking advantage of the fact that nothing was being said, Centipede looked at the god sitting on the rock. He was a man with a beautiful face that won’t be found in humans. He was so beautiful that he seemed to be able to beguile not only the eyes of the onlookers but their souls too.

But, however...

"Will you not eat me?"

It must have been about thirty minutes since the messenger left.

She tried to close her eyes and lie down to see if she would be eaten soon...... but there was no sign of being eaten. On the contrary, the god just held his eyes and look down.

“I need you to eat me. I would rather die serving my duty than starve to death.”

When no reply came, Centipede asked. She was busy containing her shaking body and trying to keep her tears from spilling over. She'd really like some overtime pay right now.

“............ Just a minute.”

God let out a sigh. Centipede was surprised by the god’s words. She thought he was supposed to be speaking a higher language that humans and animals couldn't understand, but her guess was not correct it seems.

Besides, her name didn't sound good as expected.

‘See, I knew it! The kingdom is a matchless idiot! It would have been much better if her name was Cake or Cookie…’

Feeling good about this, Centipede spoke again.

“It's the name, after all, is it not? It certainly reminds me of that undulating being.”

“..................”

Centipede was going to be happy that her prediction had come true. ‘Bull’s eye isn’t it? Isn’t it?!’. She just wanted people to sympathize with her kingdom’s poor naming sense.

She had no intention of hunting down the god.

"Ugh ...... ohhh, ggh."

God threw up. It was a glistening vomit with a shiny effect.

Apparently, god also vomits. She was 16 years old that year. Centipede made a discovery she didn't want to know about.

He was in trouble. Amsidene looked groggily at the girl, who was munching on a loaf of bread in front of her.

Currently in the god’s temple. However, the only people present were Amsidene and the dirty girl.

Originally, he would not have brought her here. It was always the case that he ate humans in the land dedicated to them.

However, there was one thing that Amsidene was not good at. That was insects. The god doesn't like bugs either. It was physiologically impossible for him.

The moment he heard the name ‘Centipede’. The centipede was the first thing that popped into his mind. Even though he had lived for hundreds of years, it's still the bug he hate the most.

Once he connected it to the girl or some other insect, he couldn't do it. It made him feel like he was eating a bug. He tried to eat her because that cocky girl was trying to get him to devour her but he threw up instead.

It was the first time in his life as a god that he had vomited.

“This is delicious.”

“......just eat it and go home.”

In any case, he was unable to devour the girl. There are five years from now until the next sacrifice is brought. He was wondering if he could live without eating humans in the next five years.

Everything that was happening was outside of his expectations.

He ate, fulfilled the wishes of the humans, and ate again.

He was vulnerable to the unexpected because his god life had been built on that cycle.

“There is no place to go back to even if you were told to me so.”

“I believe that’s still better than being eaten.”

After he cleaned the vomit, he picked up the girl. That was when she shouted loudly.

“No, please eat me! I want to be eaten. Look, it's not better for me to not be eaten. In fact, it's worse for me. Please eat me quickly. Come on, come on, come on!”

Feeling stuffed, Amsidene's face paled.

Then losing to her momentum, he told her in a dazed voice, ‘One more month.’

As his eyes followed the girl as she ran about, Amsidene wondered how it had come to this. ...... It had been three months since the girl had arrived here. He has yet been able to eat her.

Once a month, he tries his best to eat her but ends up vomiting. On the contrary, the girl cheered him on saying, ‘It's okay! You can do it! Go for it!’. As a god who eats humans for a living, he felt oh so pathetic.

Apparently, the girl has no fear of being eaten.

In the past, most sacrifices were made by people who shivered and miserably begged for their lives and tried to escape, but she was a new type. She seems to be trying her best to look like a sacrifice but she's a bad actor. Forgetful. Stupid.

Even now, she has forgotten all about the act and is going around cleaning the temple.

Amsidene did not call for a housekeeper.

"Hey, lass.”

“It's Centipede."

The girl who had been dusting comes running up to him. He hated himself for having become accustomed to this strangely familiar attitude.

Once, he tried to get her to change her name. She asked me what kind of insect I liked, and I told her butterfly. ‘So, from now on, my name is Butterfly!’ But the name ‘Centipede’ stuck in her soul and remained there. In short, it was a failure. After that, I couldn't think of anything better to do.

“You should think of something, too. You want to be eaten by me, don't you?”

“Even if you say so, ....... There's nothing a little kid who's lived for a dozen years can come up with.”

“You always say things in a way that annoys me.”

If he doesn’t want to devour her, he could have killed her.

However... the fact that he has someone to talk to is unusual and makes him hesitant. And while it is unavoidable to kill to eat, it is also against his principles to kill when he doesn't want to eat.

Still, the girl is very determined.

She is sitting here in the god’s temple, where she could be killed if she displeases him in any way.

The other day, she entered the library without permission and was enjoying reading. She was treating the place like a theme park.

“Isn’t it fine to make it a park. Why don't you close your eyes and pretend not to see?”

“Even if I close my eyes, they're already burned into my brain.”

“You're so selfish.”

The god shook his head in disbelief, his temples throbbing but he couldn't do anything about it.

The fact that if he doesn't eat people doesn't mean he will die. However, it will weaken his strength. Amsidene let out another big sigh and said, ‘I don't want to do this anymore’ and fell lying on his face towards the sacrificial girl.

“Lord Dene.”

“Don't abbreviate the name of god.”

Even today, Amsidene couldn’t eat this girl. The number of attempts had already passed ten. The girl who had been in the temple for the past ten months has become more and more obnoxious. This is the worst.

Amsidene is the only one who can afford to feed her. His pride as a god would not allow her to die of starvation. He sold the gold lying around the temple in the street and bought human food in the market.

“How is my hamburger? How do you like my hamburger? It turned out quite well this time.”

The girl who rubbed the bridge of her nose was carrying something that looked like a lump of meat. It even moves from time to time. This was the better case. In the beginning, it was charcoal and that made a cacophony of noise.

Amsidene gets its power by eating humans. However, this did not mean that he could not eat human food.

He had always had some interest in alcohol, and he too understood the taste.

That said, he was surprised when the girl started cooking and then tried to feed herself to him. This girl always goes beyond his expectations. Even so, he had a headache because she forcibly screw tasteless food into his mouth.

“......right. You should eat it instead.”

“You can't be a picky eater.”

“............”

He wondered what is wrong with the girl.

Isn't she too irreverent? Amsidene rubbed his temples. And then he thought, ‘I should set up a moxibustion’

‘Yes, this girl is no match for me in terms of strength. I'll crush her vocal cords. Then she'll be quiet.’

“I made sure to balance the nutrition. You see, Lord Dene consumes a lot of protein, don't you? Because you eat people. That's why it's a hamburger with more vegetables.”

‘That's right. Smash it up. It's against my principles to kill unnecessarily but if it’s just the vocal cords.’

"?"

He put his hand on the girl's neck. If Amsidene continued to apply force, he will never have to hear that annoying voice again.

“.....it’s really ticklish, you know?”

"Sigh..........."

‘This dumb face of hers.’

She had no doubt that Amsidene will not hurt her unless he decided to eat. It’s hard to say anything in response.

Amsidene, today too, was defeated with a hamburger-like chunk of meat screwed into his mouth.

A year and a half has passed.

He still couldn’t eat the girl who called him by his abbreviated name, ‘Lord Dene, Lord Dene’. She had come this far from the kingdom so he was determined to eat her somehow. However, the other day when he went to the market, he saw a real centipede so it seems to be impossible for a while.

“Lord Dene, what is this?”

“A tool for harvesting wheat.”

“Don't they use magic to harvest them?”

“There was no magic in the old days.”

“Oh.”

What she was holding is a scroll. She must have taken it from the library of the temple. She had been reading it by herself for a while but when she doesn't understand a word, she asked Amsidene. He was very troubled when she brought out a romance novel and asked what love is.

She should feel proud to be able to treat god as an encyclopedia.

‘Well, that's okay. I'll let it go.’ However, he was fine with it.

This girl lacked common sense in some areas. For example, she lacked the sense of distance, or sense of distance, or also sense of distance. She doesn't understand the concept of personal space. No, she doesn't need to understand that. But he wanted her to understand god space at least.

Just the other day the girl was running around and was annoying me, so he fixed her to one spot with one arm.

He didn't know if she misunderstood that he was playing with her or what. She started to touch him easily.

Now the girl is sitting on Amsidene's lap. It's weird. He didn't want to admit to such a...... gentle scene like that of a father and daughter. He is the god and she is his sacrifice.

And he also hated the fact that she was steadily improving her cooking skills. The more she cooks, the less likely he can devour her.

“Who is this person, Lord Dene?”

“I wonder. I'm not even alive at this time.”

“Haha, even a god doesn't know everything it seems.”

He was vaguely annoyed, so he gouged the girl's temple with his fist. ‘It hurts, it hurts!’ or so she cried as he felt satisfied.

"How old are you, Lord Dene?"

The girl, who had closed her book, looked up at me and asked. Amsidene twisted his head. How old was he? The girl panicked at the god who had gone silent.

“Is it rude to ask a god his age? I didn't know you would feel like a young woman worrying about her age. I'm really sorry...... ouchh, it hurtsss!”

She couldn’t just open her mouth without a rude statement. He lowered his fist after letting out another sigh.

“Maybe around 300 and a little more.”

“That's after the birth of this country, isn't it? I thought it was Lord Dene who created this country.”

“I suppose so.”

It was Centipede's turn to nod her head at his cold voice. God said with a cruel smile.

“It’s the opposite.”

“The other way around?”

“You humans created me.  ────A god who grants wishes as long as you give him a price.”

Silence reigned in the room.

Humans have never changed in any age. They cling to what they have created and eventually become frightened of its existence. Then, one day, they forget that they created it and blame nature for it. Utterly ridiculous. Amsidene said to the girl, who looked down at her, with the utmost tenderness.

“I'm sorry for you, lass.”

“Eh?”

“You wanted the god to eat you, didn't you? When in fact I am an imperfect monster created by humans.”

────Poor thing.

He wanted to see it. The appearance and expression of the girl who was raised to be eaten by a god and faced the fact that she was to be actually ‘eaten by something that is not a god’.

“No.”

Will she cry? Will she suffer? Betraying Amsidene's expectations, the girl answered easily.

“You are god to me. Even if you deny it yourself.”

“Even if the truth is not so?”

“To be honest, I don't care if you are a god or a beast. It was decided that I would be offered to an entity that would grant the wishes of the kingdom in exchange for sacrifices.”

“Hmm.”

Amsidene looked at the girl's face in boredom. He could find no hint of fear or even lies on her face.

"By the way, does that mean you are born from a human mother when you said you were created by humans? Your mom must have been a really beautiful woman, wasn't she?"

“......there is no way that’s the case, you really are an idiot.”

◼️

Amsidene was born from a human. However, it was not accidentally born from the crotch of a human. He was a being born from faith and thoughts.

This is why Amsidene hates centipede and insects. The unpleasant things that humans are not comfortable with are unconsciously disliked by him who was born from humans.

────Someone please save this country.

────Protect this country, god.

────Sacrifice has been offered, please.

Countless thoughts created Amsidene. The god who was born did as the humans wanted, granting their wishes in exchange for a sacrifice.

Now, his raison d'etre is to feed on humans. To make wishes come true. Both are essential to him.

────But now, while he has granted wishes, he has not eaten sacrifices. So where does this distortion lead to?

"Lord Dene?"

It had been a little over four years since Centipede had come here.

She was not sure if the next sacrifice will come soon, so she was trying her best to appeal to the god to eat her but he still doesn’t seem to be eating her.

She was fed delicious food and given beautiful clothes to wear. For Centipede, she couldn't be happier, and she wanted to return the favor.

She leaned against a pillar and stared at Amsidene as he slept. ...... Lately, he seems to be sleeping like this more often than not. At first, Centipede entertained the thought that even god had the concept of lack of sleep but that would be strange if this continued.

“Please wake up.”

She shook him, and he slowly opened his eyes.

‘Oh, I’m glad.’ She was relieved, though she didn't know what she was relieved about.

"────eh."

She was pulled and her body was restrained as it is. Shortly after she felt pain, her nape was pierced with sharp teeth. She was surprised but was somehow able to calm herself whispering, ‘Oh, is it today?’ Finally, he could eat her. She closed her eyes and waited for that moment without resistance.

"............?"

Death did not come for a long time.

She felt Amsidene move and she opened her eyes.

“Lord Dene......?”

The god in front of her was stunned. She looked pale with Centipede's blood on his lips. ‘Why does he look like that?’ Centipede wondered and asked him.

“You're not going to eat me? Just now, you looked like you could.”

Amsidene, who blinked at her when she called out, smiled mockingly.

“I'll eat you on the fifth year.”

It was the first time. It was the first time Amsidene had set a specific date.

“I see, so that was just a taste test, wasn't it?”

“............”

“Did you like it?”

“Yes, probably more than any human I have ever tasted before because of the divine energy.”

“I see. It's like an aging process, so that’s why the five years.”

She was joyful. That Amsidene believed she is more delicious than any other human beings he had ever eaten.

“At that time, I will eat you in a cruel way without leaving any bones or a drop of blood.”

Centipede smiled widely when he said that in a low voice.

She was happily imagining that day, not even noticing that the god looked like a lost child.

The day was sunny.

Centipede hadn't been outside since she arrived here. She judged the weather by looking at the view from the window.

“Lord Dene, can I ask you one favor before I get eaten?”

“Putting aside whether it can be granted or not, try saying it.”

“I would like to visit a foreign country.”

She had only read about it in books, but she had heard that there are many things in foreign countries that she doesn't know. She wanted to see it with her own eyes once. It would be even more fun if Amsidene was there with her.

Despite Centipede's expectations, the god shook his head.

“I can't.”

“......I’m sorry, I was being cheeky despite my position as a sacrifice...”

“It would be nice if you could remember that more often. In the first place, that’s impossible. I can't leave the kingdom either.”

“Huh?”

“I'm tied down.”

She must be thinking ‘Even though you are a god?’. Amsidene lifted the edge of his lips.

“Then I and Lord Dene are the same.”

“What?”

“We've never been abroad before, you know.”

“You’re really stupid and dumb...”

Amsidene looked at Centipede, who was smiling happily, as if he were looking at an unfamiliar creature.

Even such an afternoon would end.

“Amsidene, we are sick and tired of being dominated by you......!”

One day before the five-year appointment.

The day before the five-year appointment, their routine easily fell apart.

“We will prove to you that even a human can kill a god.”

The attack was sudden.

On this day, Amsidene was asleep while Centipede was reading a book next to him. Lately, he had been spending less and less time awake, which makes her kind of sad.

Maybe that's why Amsidene didn't notice the approaching hordes.

Centipede watched in dismay as the temple was burned to the ground.

She cooked with him there.

She read a book with him there.

She talked about trivial things with him there.

The fire continued to roar.

Suddenly, there was a broad back in front of Centipede. The god stood in the way to hide her from the horrible place.

“Lord Dene.......”

She grabbed his clothes without a second thought.

The profile that she glimpsed was far from having any leeway to spare.

In the midst of all this, a woman slowly appeared. As she stood in front of them, she glared in their direction.

“You are Amsidene, aren't you?”

“...... Yes, so?”

“I want my sister back. I don't know what whim you have but now that I know she is alive, I can't let you take her away!”

‘My sister?’ Centipede’s face peeked out from the back to stare at the woman.

Yes, indeed. She's her twin sister.

She was her elder sister who had been raised as a princess while Centipede had been raised as a sacrifice.

She was the one who had looked at Centipede in the dungeon as if she was the real centipede.

"Don't take anything more from us humans!"

Centipede's stomach became painfully hot at the sound of her voice. She didn't know how to describe it. She felt as if she wanted to cry or scream. But before Centipede could say anything else, Amsidene opened his mouth.

"Take anything? Even when that's what you guys wished for?"

The princess was momentarily frightened by his cold gaze. But the heated sight from the soldiers behind her made her eyes light up with a strong fire again.

“Nonsense. ......! Everyone, go! We are here to be human!”

“To be human eh.”

If they kill him, they'll create the next him in a few hundred years.

The princess frowned dubiously. But her command did not stop.

“L-lord Dene. It's okay, isn't it, Lord Dene is stronger than them......?”

Centipede, worried by the strength of the soldier's roar, asked. But there was no reply.

Amsidene was intercepting the attacks that were coming one after another but soon began to show signs of fatigue.

‘Why don't you fight back?’

She was about to say that when she realized.

He is an existence that eats people and grants wishes. He is bound to this country for life.

He can't do anything else, can he?

He can neither kill nor eat humans at will. A god whose existence has been determined.

Sweat beads fell from Amsidene's forehead.

‘What should I do, what should I do?’ Centipede couldn’t fight. She doesn't have any way to fight. Isn't there something she can do? What can Centipede do?

"Oh, poor Centipede. Your sister will rescue you now."

────────Ah, there is.

She held Amsidene's hand that was enduring the pain. His gaze turned to her.

“Please eat me.”

“No.”

“Because you haven't eaten......your strength is weak, isn't it? If not, it should be easy for you to escape from here even if you can't kill anyone.”

Centipede felt funny that the breathtaking man in front of her was an easy-to-understand god.

"Still, the five years.”

“I must have some kind of divinity in me. Maybe I can set you free.”

“T-that is.”

“I will definitely come back to see you now that you are free. Even if I have to repeat reincarnation a thousand times.”

That time let's go abroad together.

Amsidene tried to say something and then… he closed his eyes. Centipede looked happy when he slowly approached her face and whispered 3 words** right beside her ear—.

The princess let out a meaningless ‘ah’ voice.

Her sister. She had been eaten.

The breathtaking sight didn't suit the word sacrifice and she even felt it was beautiful. During that moment, she found that the power of the opposing god swelled.

“Is that why you kept my sister by your side?”

The god did not answer.

He just stared at her with creepy eyes. She could hear the soldiers retreating in fear, their morale dropping.

“You people are always so arrogant.”

Her legs trembled from the choking rage. This is god. She should have been prepared for this. When she decided to fight a transcendent being.

“I'm sure it would be fun to kill you here and now but...”

“H-huh.”

He finally slumped down. Still, he kept raising his face at least.

“One day you'll see how greedy you are.”

By the time she realized it, god was gone.

She tried to catch her breath. A cold sweat covered her body. She was finally able to move her head after confirming that her neck was still connected to her torso.

────After this day, the god stopped appearing. They had won. They don't have to endure the pain to offer sacrifice. They don't have to flatter the god to make him feel better. They don't have to be afraid that God's power will strike their country at any moment.

True freedom has been won. It was supposed to be.

◼️

Amsidene was sitting in the shade of a rock, looking out at the lake. How many months had passed since then? But it should be more than all his limbs combined. Time felt like it had slowed down a lot lately.

It seems that the country that had once tied him down is not doing so well. That wouldn’t be odd. The kingdom had been relying on god until now. They are not wise enough to be able to do something by themselves now that they had lost that support. That's why they created Amsidene.

He doesn't know if the country will be rebuilt or not. But they will continue to suffer for the next hundred years. It would have been so easily granted had they prayed for god. It was their choice to ignore the sweet nectar they had once tasted and stand on their own two feet.

The forest is quiet, and it's a little easier to breathe.

Still, whenever he closes his eyes, the girl is always there.

I love you.

It's only an imitation of humans. The man had no words for love. Still, he had to say something. He forced down the feelings that he could not describe. At the end of his speech, the girl smiled like a blooming flower.

".......come… see you"

She promised to come and see him.

Amsidene had been waiting for her for a long time. Due to his sincerity, he did not go abroad even once. Perhaps because that way it would be easier for her to find him.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and saw a butterfly fluttering about.

He remembered that he had told the girl that it was one of his favorite insects.

It fluttered and fluttered.

The butterflies continued to fly around him.

When he held out his finger, it stopped as if it was resting its wings.

Oh.

"...... you're here? You're an idiot, aren't you?

‘You purposely became my favorite bug?’

She’s really a stupid girl. He was sure she'll go through a thousand cycles of reincarnation and one day she'll be just an existence just like Amsidene.

"Let's stay together forever, Centipede."

The voice that made the word ‘Centipede’ endured from sobbing and was ever gentle.

The girl who was raised as a sacrifice is now being offered love by a god.

TL Note:

*Centipede: Raw Jp name is ゲジ. Meaning a house centipede or 蚰蜒.. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

**3 words : Raw Jp is 5 words that’s revealed below. A-i-shi-te-ru. Equivalent to English’s 3 words.

Banished, 5 days later. ~There is only value in infamy if you make use of it~

Author:三香

TL: summerpeanut

Her mother's jewelry box was the only thing she had left.

Tonight, Lilitha's engagement was annulled.

"You are banished!” Her fiancé ordered her to be taken out of the ballroom with nothing more than what’s on her own’s and thrown into a shabby old carriage.

The old carriage rattled and creaked noisily as it drove along the rough roads, its lamps flickering with the hazy light of dead fireflies in the depths of the night.

She had already left the royal capital and was entering a deep forest where even the light of the moon is vague and unreachable.

The tall trees swayed in the shadows like black phantoms, and through the windows she could see nothing but the wriggling ink-color darkness. Lilitha draped her shawl over her shoulders in a corner of the carriage. The distant cries of beasts and the echoing chirping of birds were so terrifying that they seemed to touch her neck with a twinge, and no matter how courageous Lilitha was, she is but only a sixteen-year-old daughter of a noble family and her heart was about to break and erode from the anxiety.

The carriage stopped with a screeching sound and smeared the damp soil of the forest on its wheels.

She had no weapon. Biting her lip, Lilitha pulled the ornament out of her hair. The hair ornament was of the hairpin type, so it had a sharp point.

The carriage stopped in the forest where there were only the eyes of beasts and birds. For Lilitha, those eyes’s only purpose was to induce fear within her.

The creaking sound of the carriage door opening was muffled by the rumbling of her heart, pounding in her ears like large waves from the ocean.

A man was standing there.

He was a young man with dark hair that seemed to drew in the whole night.

She grasped the hairpin in her sweaty hands and squeezed. The tension caused her back hair to stand on the back of her neck, and the feeling of nausea rose from the pit of her stomach.

Being exiled is a punishment where a noble loses everything: family, status, and wealth. And it is the natural order of things for a chick that has lost its protective parent bird to become food for beasts and insects.

When Lilitha reached for her bracelet, she hesitantly wondered if she should use her mother's memento.

"Food, would you like to have some?"

The words that Lilitha had not expected to hear echoed in the darkness. The young man was smiling charmingly.

“I'm starving. I got the orders before dinner, so I wasn’t able to eat. I'm going to make some supper, would you like to join me?"

Lilitha's mouth dropped open at the sound of a bright voice from a midsummer instead of the dark night.

“I go by Willem. I’m the exiled princess's guard, coachman, and chef.”

"Princess?"

Lilitha muttered in reply as she sat in front of the fire that Willem had quickly and efficiently prepared. The hairpin, which she had clutched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, now rested in her lap.

A pot of soup on a flickering flame, like a luminous jewel glowing in the dark.

“Aren’t the duke’s daughter basically a princess? That's why you are a princess. To us commoners, both the dukes and the royal family are equally above the clouds.”

Willem filled a wooden cup with freshly boiled water and handed it to Lilitha. The warmth slid down her throat as she took a sip, and the tension in her body unruffled.

“Thank you. It's delectable. But haven't you heard the rumours about me?"

"The rumour is that you are an arrogant, spendthrift villainess?”

“Yes, that's right. A mean, selfish, bloodthirsty woman.”

“Hmm, that's not true, right? I only know a little bit about princess but an arrogant noblewoman might throw away a mere cup of hot water, but she will never say thank you.”

After hearing Willem’s honest and unwavering reply, a large crack ran through Lilitha’s negative feelings that had accumulated little by little as if a piled up snow and touched her heart.

Lilitha is not only the daughter of a duke, but she is also the daughter of a witch.

The concept of magic exists in this world but there are few people who can actually use it. Men are called wizards and women are called witches, and there are fewer than thirty of them in the whole kingdom.

Lilitha's mother asked the duke for assistance in magic research, and the duke took Lilitha's mother as his second wife, hoping to bring witch blood into the family and give birth to a wizard or witch.

However, the born Lilitha had no magical power. Even so, the bloodline of a witch often brings forth magical powers in the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so Lilitha was engaged to the third prince. However, the third prince readily cheated on her, and in order to justify his own affair, he denounced Lilitha as a vile woman with his unfounded rumours and gossips.

In a social world filled with deceit and falsehood, there were some sensible people who sympathized with and defended Lilitha but the ugly stories that were spread as if they were the truth are irresponsible and served only as amusement to others.

In particular, her half-sister who is of the same age as Lilitha had despised Lilitha as the daughter of the first wife for long years. Now that Lilitha is romantically involved with the Third Prince, she actively spreads malicious rumours about Lilitha. Rumours, innuendos, and ridicules. To add fuel to the fire, her half-sister who was jealous of Lilitha's engagement to the royalty simply because she is the daughter of a witch, used her connections as the eldest daughter of a duke to pour oil on the fire and keep Lilitha's bad name burning.

She was falsely accused, her engagement was broken off, and exiled.

"Even this decree is not legitimate, isn’t it? Only the king has the right to judge the nobles but with the third prince's signature. It's an absurd order but if we don't follow the order, we will be punished, and even if we do, it's not an official order so who knows what kind of punishment we will receive later...”

With a modest sigh, Willem continued.

“I think I'll probably lose my head as punishment. That's why I thought it’d be fine if I do it alone. Everyone else in my unit has children, parents, and families. I don't have anyone. So I took on this job by myself.”

Willem smiled with a determined look on his face, and Lilitha felt that he was a kind person. She knew she could trust him.

"Willem. I'm sure you and I are both doomed to exile. So I will hire you. Will you be my escort and run away with me?"

Fortunately, Lilitha was still in her evening gown. She removed a large jeweled necklace from her neck and put it in Willem's hand.

“You could have killed me and stripped me of my possession. Yet you gave me warm drink and soup. With this necklace, please be my guard. Let's fake our deaths and escape from the kingdom together, shall we not?"

"Fake our death?"

“You said it yourself. It's not an official order. The third prince will send assassins to kill us. Dead men tell no tale after all. Albeit, it's useless. There were too many witnesses when he banished me. But he only cares about what's convenient for himself so he'll just kill me and pray that all will be well. He's a reckless and ill-considered man who thinks that there is hope as long as he is not exposed, he prioritizes now rather than the bleak future."

The sound of fire crackled.

The night sky, covered with a thick canopy of trees, glimpsed in places like a skylight framed by the trees, and tonight's moon appeared as if peeking from the bottom of a box.

“I'm requesting you to do something very dangerous. But if going and coming back later will cost you your head, will you not give me your life? I'm sure His Majesty the King and my father, the Duke, will make a move on me because I'm have the value as a witch's daughter. So it may be that His Majesty the King, instead of the Third Prince, that will come after me. But I don't want to go back to the noble society that has only hurt myself."

Willem stared at Lilitha with his strange bluish-silver eyes peeking out from under his black hair. A straightforward gaze. The eyes were as still as the surface of the water without a single ripple.

"Princess, what about your family?"

The voice was soft, but Lilitha shook her head with a look of anguish.

“I am a political tool for my father, the Duke. The first wife and my half-sister looked down on me as the daughter of an annoying witch and tormented me insidiously. My fiancé disliked me from the start, saying that a witch's daughter is uncanny, and there were rumours about me in social circles that dishonored me, and I was alone everywhere ever since my mother died. My mother was the only one who loved me.”

"Princess, is there anywhere you would like to go?"

“No. Actually, the ocean. I've always wanted to see the ocean. I want to go to the sea.”

“The sea? That sounds nice.”

Willem gave a small laugh. He had already made up several escape routes in his mind.

“In fact, I've been thinking about taking the princess to a safe place to escape ever since you thanked me for the hot water.”

"Lilitha's dead?”

The soldiers, who were on one knee in front of the king with their hands on their chests, reported what they had seen. They kept their eyes low so as not to look at the king's invaluable body.

“It appears that the carriage fell off the cliff because it was recklessly driven too fast on a badly maintained road during the night. The wagon was heavily devastated and the front part of the wagon drowned into the flowing river downwards to the cliff. The soldier and his horse were swept into the river and there were no bodies. In the back of the carriage, there was a lot of blood and a few pieces of flesh. The beast had probably carried away Lady Lilitha's body. Her long hair and a piece of her dress were caught in the wreckage of the carriage left behind.”

"What a mess. The precious witch's bloodline is ......."

The king growled heavily. After learning the Third Prince’s folly, he immediately sent a pursuit team but the soldiers found only a wagon that had fallen down a cliff and it was so tattered that it had lost its shape.

“There is still the possibility of survival. Check the nearby villages and towns.”

The soldiers who had received the order hung down their heads reverently.

Both wizards and witches were respected and feared at the same time. They were looked upon with skepticism and fear, especially by some, and although they were not persecuted for the fear of their power, the people always felt threatened by the faces under the bowed heads.

Therefore, in order to protect themselves, physically and mentally, they entered into marriages with those who possessed magical power. Forcing people to marry by royal decree or power had led to the flight of many magic holders out of the country and had drastically reduced the number of magic holders.

Lilitha's mother was one of the few exceptions.

The third prince was kneeling in the corner of the room with his head hanging down, begging his father-king for mercy. He stared blankly at the floor, unable to move in the face of his father's silent anger.

“Father, please forgive me. ......”

The third prince, who had been in high spirits last night after breaking off his engagement to Lilitha, was immediately exposed and was scolded to the point of bloodlust leaked out from the king.

“What is the value in your apology? I have power and say as king, but I never knew that my son, a mere prince, had the authority to judge the nobles without my permission. I can't even look at you. Someone, take the prince to the nobleman's prison. Don't let him out until he's been dealt with.”

At the same time, Lilitha was riding a horse with pounding hooves. It was the same horse that had been pulling the carriage, the one that was supposed to have died in the river.

“I wonder if I did a good job of disguising the carriage?”

Her hair, cut short and unbecoming of a noblewoman, swayed above her shoulders.

“I hope everyone was fooled. We sprayed a lot of animal blood, and it really looked like a horrible scene. I'm hoping they'll be allured to surmise that the reason our remains being missing were due to them being swept down the river.”

On the other horse, Willem rode alongside Lilitha.

“I'm glad I had a change of clothes in the carriage, because I had to let my soldiers' clothes go down the river. I'm sorry that princess has to wear men's clothes.”

“It’s fine because I am able to ride the horse easily.”

“You're a good rider, princess.”

“I think I can do more than most noble girls. I've been pointed out as a witch's daughter since I was a child, so I've studied and trained a lot to protect myself. I even learned how to mix potions from my mother who was a witch.”

Lilitha said as her eyes shone with a little pride.

“You can also make medicines?”

“It's a witch's potion.”

As Lilitha pushed her chest out like a cute kitten filled with pride, Willem desire to protect her rose again and he swore to let her escape the country safely no matter what.

That night.

“Sorry for all the camping.”

Lilitha, who had been digging a hole for the toilet and she was actually having fun digging a hole for the first time, washed her hands and shook her head as she replied to the apologizing Willem.

“What are you saying? Safety comes first. If you go into the town and get found, we will be in danger. More importantly, hey, you are going to fix the dinner, are you not? I'll help you.”

"Can you cook, princess?"

“I do! I've read a lot of cookbooks. Even though I've been exiled, I've actually been preparing for my upcoming escape from home.”

She smiled and replied with a potato held in her hand while Willem leaked a bitter laugh as he taught her the basics to hold a knife.

Slash! Slash!

Sounds that should not popped out from peeling potato actually appeared. Lilitha earnestly tried her best.

“I did it!”

There, in the palm of her hand, was a square of potatoes, cut into cubes. A square of potatoes, one centimeter square in size, sat in her hand.

The nineteen year old Willem smiled like a mother and praised Lilitha's efforts.

There were potatoes of an inch size in the soup dish for dinner which made Lilitha very happy. The next morning, Willem went to the river to fetch water to boil.

The next morning, when Willem went to the river to fetch water to make boiling water, Lilitha, who had a puppy-like affection for him, walked behind him.

“Is there a river here?”

“No, there are no big rivers around here. But it rained a few days ago, so there's a geographic place where the water comes out of a temporary narrow stream. Oh, there it is.”

Lilitha's eyes twinkled as she looked in the direction Willem was pointing.

“Look! There are a lot of rare medicinal herbs here that are worth a lot of money!”

She sat down on the ground and happily picked the herbs, without a trace of dignity as a duchess. ‘But that's fine’ Willem thought.

"Ants! Willem, these ants are carrying flowers. Hey, ants, can I trade for some bread?

She pulled out a loaf of leftover breakfast bread from her pocket, which she had planned to eat as a snack, and quickly exchanged the bread for the flower.

“They are just like in the picture book! I've never seen a real one before.”

Lilitha laughed, her honey-colored voice melting into a squeal as she looked at the thin petals similar to that of the soft wings of a butterfly.

Bound as a witch's daughter and restricted in her activities around the duke, Lilitha couldn’t help but have fun in the forest.

The wind was like the sigh from air.

The water was like the music of glass.

The flowers were as beautiful as light snow.

Everything she saw and heard was new to her, and everything about the world made her whimper like a young child.

It was an innocent and pitiful sight. She’s very heartrending and incredible lovable. Willem stared at Lilitha, who was sitting on the ground and squirming, without blinking.

Just then, a bird flying high in the sky came into the corner of Willem's eye.

He raised the corner of his mouth in a grin at the bird flying toward him and drew his bow just above him. His muscle sinews were raised and taut with tension, and his large shoulder blades looked like the wings of an angel.

Veesh.

The arrow shot from the bottom of the sky, causing two birds to fall as Lilitha looked up and down.

“Delicious morning meal flew in.”

Lilitha had never shot a bow before, but she still understood that Willem's skill was extraordinary. It was a divine display of skill.

“It's the kind of skill that could make you the overwhelming winner in the kingdom's martial arts tournament.”

“If a mere soldier were to win the competition, it would bring disgrace to his superiors and the nobility. A few years ago, a commoner who won the third place lost one of his arms right after the tournament. That's why it's better for a low-ranking soldier to have a mediocre to good arm only. Especially for someone like me who doesn't even have a family, if you get noticed, nothing good will happen to you.”

Lilitira drooped as if a wilting flower.

“The world is cruel.......”

She was able to correctly judge what Willem was saying, as she had always been a quiet and modest girl but now she had to bear the infamy of a great villainess.

“Of course, there are positive points too. You can escape with the princess like this and have an insanely good whole roasted bird for breakfast.”

Lilitha swallowed her throat.

“......is that bird really that delicious?”

“It's really good. It's so rare to find that it's probably a treat even for a king.”

She hadn't eaten anything that tasted so good since her mother died. For Lilitha, who had been living in a duke's house for a long time and eating only thin soup and hard bread without any ingredients like bird feed, the meal prepared by Willem was as sweet as nectar.

She immediately grew taller and prettier, like a flower that had been given plenty of water.

At the same time that Lilitha was biting into the bird and going ‘Whoa~, yummy~’, her father, the Duke, was in a rage.

"Lilitha is dead, you say! Lilitha's mother was the best witch in the kingdom, her blood was of inestimable value!!”

Slap! The first wife was beaten mercilessly with a raised hand. Following soon, Lilitha's half-sister's daughter as well.

“The king has given his blessing to celebrate the marriage of you and the third prince! The third prince will become the duke's son-in-law!”

The duke pointed at his daughter and stomped his foot dully. He glared at his wife and daughter with icy eyes.

“Hah! Son-in-law! The third prince is an incompetent, shallow and brainless fellow! The king is going to use the duke's family to clean up the third prince's mess for the rest of his life!”

The third prince had political value to the duke because he was royalty. Lilitha was going to be the third prince's wife.

In addition, the half-sister was already engaged. The other side had broken off the engagement because of her infidelity and she had been charged a huge penalty for breaking off the engagement.

“The third prince is either a god of poverty or a god of plague! If this continues, my duchy will flip over!”

Willem's bow never missed a single arrow and he was also a skilled swordsman, feeding Lilitha delicious meat every day.

"This is happiness~. Yummy~"

"So you don't mind catching it with your hands, princess?

"I can even take a full bite on an apple now, crunching it.”

Lilitha replied cheerfully, her cheeks puffed up like a munching little squirrel.

It's been five days since she was banished, but Lilitha is in high spirits. The ‘little bird’ that escaped from the birdcage had been fed a full meal by Willem, and had become much stronger and wild.

Willem gently narrowed the corner of his eyes.

“Here you go.”

He put a small red fruit in Lilitha's hand as a dessert after dinner.

“This is the last of the apples. We've been camped out here for a while, but tomorrow, when we enter the neighboring country, why don't we go into the town?”

“Do you think they'll be able to track us?”

“Of course we'll be vigilant. But I want to get some information and buy some food. Besides, the princess is so dirty now, you don’t look like a noblewoman at all.”

“What? Do I smell?”

“You don't smell. I didn’t mean it like that, for example.”

Willem took Lilitha's hand as if it were a precious jewel.

“The princess’s hands are no longer the hands of a beautiful, unblemished nobleman. They are now the hands of a hard-working woman."

He stroked Lilitha's cheek with his remaining hand.

“Your  skin has also become dull, like that of someone working under the sun, not the white skin of a nobleman. You were a duke’s daughter and yet you've persevered through a life of inconvenience now.”

“Well, since I’m no longer an aristrocrat, can you please stop calling me princess?”

Lilitha turns red, like a flower being dyed with colour, as she held back Willem's hand.

“Can you call me Lilitha? Ah, If you prefer we do it with an alias, then please give me a name. I want Willem to call me by my name, not princess.”

Willem's words made her happy. She felt her heart fluttered and despondent at times. Lilitha expressed her overflowing feelings.

“I like you, Willem. I love you. Will you marry me?”

The fire exploded with a crackle, warming the cold night air. The flames came and went like little fairies.

“......with me?”

He was so happy that he wanted to scream.

Day after day, Willem grew to love every part of Lilitha. But Lilitha, though she was banished, was still a duke’s daughter, and there was a difference in status between them.

“Because Willem is kind, very kind, very dependable. I’m, you know, quite a bargain, I can speak six languages, I can make medicine, and now I have a bracelet with space storage and 5,000 gold coins.”

She rolled up the sleeve of her dress to reveal an old bracelet on her arm.

“It's a memento of my mother. It was my mother's hand-me-down, and it contains many other things besides gold coins. See? It's a bargain, isn't it? So will you marry me?”

Lilitha was trying her best to seduce Willem. Her ears were as red as seashells, and her eyes were single-mindedly focused on Willem.

“Did we not just get acquainted 5 days ago? And I'm a commoner.”

“I'm not the duke’s daughter anymore. ...... Willem has taken care of me for five days, and I want to take care of you, not just for five days, but for life. Listen, listen, our setting was that of an eloping lovers, aren't we? Can't we just make it real?”

The cuteness of Lilitha looking up at him with her kittenish, cloudless eyes was so cute that Willem threw his hands up in surrender.

His passionate pair of eyes and his sincerity caught Lilitilla.

“I'm not going ever to let go of you until I die, is that okay with you?”

At the same time, there were screams everywhere in the royal capital. Mostly in the residences of the nobles.

“Aaaaah!”

“This must be a lie! A lie! Lie!! Impossible!”

“Hieeeeeeee!”

“Oh, my God! I can't take it!”

“It itches! Itchy! Itchy, itchy, itchy!”

The white moon was shining brightly in the night sky.

The area was enveloped in a brilliant silvery light, and the branches and leaves of the great tree, like the pillars of a temple, shone lustrously under the moonlight as if to congratulate the lovers who had just declared their love for each other.

“Tomorrow we will be arriving in the neighboring country never to return. Do you have any regrets?”

“The only thing I'm worried about is whether the jewelry box has been opened properly, but I'm sure someone, most likely my half-sister, has already opened the jewelry box my mother left in my room, so I have no regrets.”

“Jewelry box?”

“There’s no jewel inside, only a box full of cursed jewels.”

“It was made by my mother, and when you open it, the curse will be activated towards those who have been mean to her and me.”

Lilitha's eyes smiled like those of a naughty kitten.

“The bottom of the box is double-bottomed, and the names of the targets are placed inside. When the lid of the box is opened, the curse will fly to the target. The targets’ head will be permanently bald, and their feet will be covered with untreatable athlete's foot.”

“You mean the curse of baldness and athlete's foot?”

“They’ll be bald due to the curse and even if you put a wig or a hat on the head it will slip off, and the athlete's foot is the intense type that can't be treated even though it doesn't spread to others... Do you feel disillusioned now?”

"Why would I? The person I told you about that took third place in the martial arts tournament is my senior and the one who taught me how to use a sword. Would you guessed that I, although it wasn’t found out in the end, shot that nobleman with an arrow from a distance and made him lose both hands and legs. But a commoner who lost his dominant arm would have been fired from his job and his life would have immediately become difficult while a nobleman could still be taken care of by his servants even if he became bedridden.”

“It's a society like that but don’t you think it’s unreasonable that you have to smile back after being stepped upon by others. It's ridiculous and repulsive. You can call me cruel, but I won’t regret my revenge.”

“Yes. I'm being called a villainess by my enemy even though I didn't do anything. Then I did what they expected, I cursed them as a villainess with a wicked act. It's the infamy they gave me. I just used it to my advantage.”

Lilitha's mother was a revered witch, but she was also abhorred for no reason other than being a witch.

Lilitha was no different.

In addition,she is unable to resist because she has no magical power and was only a child, and the first wife and her half-sister, for example, they had been persistently and carefully abuse her for their own convenient malice. She was abused as a witch's daughter and disgraced as a villainess.

“My mother and I could have cursed them at any time, but we were unable to put the last straw. So I have to be grateful for the infamy they provided. I was able to leave the jewelry box without any hesitation as per what is expected of a villainess thank to those that ruined my name. They wanted me to play the part of the villainess with no blood nor tears."

Lilitha huffed at her fingers, which had lost a bit of body heat. Willem wrapped his hands around her and shared his warmth with her.

“I'm sure they opened it to steal because they expected that there’s a gem inside but they will be the one who opened the cursed lid instead. It's as if they signed for their own curse. But I left a selection of curses in my mother's belongings that wouldn't harm the good people or bother the public properly.”

“Baldness affects only the appearance, and athlete's foot is only a matter of agony if you don't get it.”

Willem laughed secretly, thinking that baldness tore down the pride of the nobility in all directions, especially the noblewomen, and athlete's foot would have made them itch like hell.

“Yes. My father, the first lady, my half-sister, the third prince, and all the people who mistreated me are all shiny and crusty now.”

Lilitha laughed with pure innocence and cuteness.

“It's important to consider the choice of curses too! Because many of the curses that my mother left behind are so gruesome that they make your hair stand on end.”

What?

Baldness and athlete's foot are the gentler kind of curses?

Willem stared at Lilitha's bracelet which seemed to contain many hair-raising curses.

The next day, the sixth day of the exile, Lilitha and Willem held a private wedding ceremony in a church in the neighboring country.

The only decoration used was a crown of wild flowers, but it became a lifelong treasure for Lilitha.

Author’s Note:

Thank you very much for reading.

Did the hero tell me to die?

Author:凡場はま

TL: summerpeanut

In front of the deepest chasm of the demon kind territory.

When the hero's sword pierced the Demon Lord's heart, the Demon Lord staggered back and fell to the bottom of the chasm.

The end.

This is the virtue's revenge for the living achieved by the death of the Demon Lord.

However, the dark clouds in the sky were not gone and the thick miasma remained.

The hero muttered as he peered into the chasm floor.

"I guess I can't completely end his life.”

With that, the hero took out a small crystal ball from his waist bag and threw it to the bottom of the chasm.

And then.

He slowly turned around in my direction.

"Support."

Support was the name that the heroes call me. When he called my name, I stepped forward.

The hero continued his words.

"You're up."

I didn't understand what he was saying, so I replied.

“Yes. Well… uhm what can I do for you?”

In all honesty, I'm a lousy support sorcerer who doesn't measure up to the group of heroes. Unlike the heroes, I can’t do anything great.

Responding to my question, the hero’s beautiful face appeared to be frowning.

“Jump to the bottom of the chasm.”

"huh?"

I let out a pathetic voice. I'm not sure if the hero demanded instantaneous movement via the use of magic? No, I can't use such a high-level spell.

When I remained silent, the hero, with a somber expression, said to me forcefully

"For the sake of the country and for the sake of the people, I want you to throw yourself to the bottom of the chasm. By offering your soul, the sealing crystal will take effect and the Demon Lord will be sealed away forever, never to return any more.”

"Yes?"

--You mean...

You want me to die?

■　　　　　■　　　　　■

I've been feeling strange about this from the beginning.

The time goes back to before the last expedition to defeat the Demon Lord.

The battle between the demons and the kingdom has reached its climax, and the regrouped heroes left the royal capital to attack the demon territory.

On the way, they stopped at a lonely adventurer's guild in the countryside.

I was a D-ranked sorceress specializing in support, the lowest rank in that small country guild.

Well then,

I'm a lowly adventurer, so it doesn't matter to me that the heroes dropped by the guild I'm familiar with. I thought that this village was just a passing point for the heroes and that they would soon be gone.

However, the heroes did not leave the village quickly. On the contrary, he went to the meeting room of the guild and stayed there every day.

A week passed, then two weeks.

and a rumor began to leak out in the guild.

That went.

"The hero is looking for the last member.”

And so on.

The guild members were all bewildered by the rumor.

But one day, I was summoned by the guild master.

When I went to the guild's reception room, I saw the master and the hero.

The master is usually a good person that I can rely on.

That master had an obviously confused look on his face and suggested that we take a seat.

The master started talking after 3 people were seated.

"Ricca, it's like this… Sir Arses would like to talk to you."

Ricca is my name and Arses is the name of the hero.

The hero said with a serious expression.

“From now onwards, the road to the Demon Lord's castle will be long and there is no place to stay along the way. So we have decided to bring in additional members."

“I see.”

"After carefully examining the various factors and conditions, we have decided that you are the best choice. We would like you to join us."

--What in the name of.

Are you sane, sir hero?

When I remained silent, the master interrupted me.

“...I'm sorry to say this sir Hero, but Ricca is not a good choice. Ricca is not that strong of an adventurer. The guild also can't afford to let their members participate in something too reckless.”

The master subtlely told him that ‘this person can’t help you defeat Demon Lord’. That's good, master, I'm not confident either. Please convince him.

But the hero shook his head.

“The additional members do not need to be strong. We already have enough strength. I've heard that... Ricca is good at cooking in the camp, is that true?"

The hero’s words made everything clear.

--I see.

Does he want a caretaker around him?

Well, in that case.

When I agreed to join the party, the hero nodded happily and said.

“I'd like to know if there is anyone you like, Ricca? Do you currently have a boyfriend?”

“No, I don't."

At the time, I thought, "What's with the sudden question?” However, I quickly forgot about it because I was so preoccupied with the task of defeating the Demon Lord that was suddenly thrust upon me.

Once the talk was settled, the rest quickly followed.

The guild members who were available saw me off on my journey to defeat the demon kind.

I was usually a solo but when the guild organized a large-scale demon-hunting party, I joined other teams as a support magician, even if I was only a small part of the team and only served food to them, I knew many people thanks to that.

Everyone encouraged me with a worried look.

■　　　　　■　　　　　■

After that, we arrived at the territory of the demon kind and proceeded to the castle of the Demon Lord.

The members of the hero group were as follows.

First, there was Arses, the hero.

The others were the warrior Baen, the saint Franna, and the sorceress Nafen. Male, female, female.

The warrior, Baen, is a rough but good-natured man. He was about five years older than me.

He was the one that was happiest when I joined the party.

"The rest of the members are all big shots after all.”

That was his reason.

Certainly, the hero is a nobleman. The saint is one or two of the highest-ranking in the church. The sorceress Nafen is highly regarded in the magic association for her outstanding ability.

In this respect, I'm an adventurer just like him. So on the way to defeat the Demon Lord, the two of us were complaining about the guild and talking about trivial things.

He wants to use the reward for defeating the Demon Lord to dig up a hot spring and build a hot spring resort in a remote place.

What a gambler.

Saint Franna is a real saint.

She has a pretty face and a gentle personality. Her holy spells are also perfect, and she would cast recovery spells even on a lousy fish like me who makes a lot of mistakes.

The saint is always smiling, but once after entering the demon territory, she let out a whine just once.

“I want to eat something sweet, I really want to eat something sweet.”

So I made her a pudding with tonnes of precious sugar secretly, without telling the other members.

I didn't have a strainer so I apologized for the dull pudding but the saint was very pleased.

The smile on her face as she took a bite of the pudding with a spoon in her hand was priceless!

But on the other hand, I realized that her usual smile was just a fake.

I've heard that power struggles in the church are tough, and I guess the saint has to wear her smile mask all the time.

Church officials, please don't put the unnecessary mental burden on the saint.

The sorceress Nafen is literally a cannon.

The basic tactic of the heroes group's battle is for the hero and the warrior to draw the enemy agro in front of them to buy time for Nafen to chant and then zap them with the large magic that she has finished chanting.

This is the pattern most of the time, except for enemies that can only be defeated by the sacred power of the hero and saint.

She is calm, cool, and clear-headed.

She is a real intellectual who looks like a cool beauty despite her round glasses.

She usually doesn't talk much, but when you ask her about magic, she starts talking endlessly like an endlessly flowing river. She is what we call a witchcraft geek.

She seems to be perfect, but she is also a clumsy person.

She often freezes up when she starts thinking about something. It's usually when she comes up with a new magic theory, but when she does, she becomes so lost in thought that she can't see what's going on around her, so I used to pull her sleeve.

She can't come back to her senses without being yelled loudly, you know.

Sir Arses is a man who is hard on himself.

He is a perfectionist who wakes up at the crack of dawn to swing his sword, and even though he’s so talented, he still spares no effort in training.

He is an open-minded person who doesn't mind doing troublesome things even when camping.

He often preached the spirit of self-sacrifice to me.

At that time, even if I, the weakest of the group of heroes, died on the journey to defeat the Demon Lord, he said,

"It will not be in vain. Don't regret it.”

I thought he was speaking to me out of kindness.

By the way, it's not only the hero who call me "Support", but also the others.

In the demon's territory, there is a nasty demon called the copyman that will copy your appearance if it knows your name. As a countermeasure, the heroes decided to call themselves by their occupational names in the demon territory.

"Hero", "Warrior", "Saint", "Sorceress", and myself "Support"

■　　　　　■　　　　　■

The scene returns to the beginning.

The hero continued to look at me with his back to the chasm.

Of course, I didn’t know what to say.

Then.

“That’s the first time I’m hearing this.”

From behind me, I heard a low voice that sounded like an echo from hell.

It was the warrior.

This was the first time I've heard the warrior's angry voice, since it is usually the hero who talks to any intelligent enemies.

I was overwhelmed by his deep voice, which was different from the time I had silly conversations with him, and I became even more frozen in my spot.

But the warrior's voice didn't faze the hero.

“It's a hard decision for me to make too. That's why I didn't tell you guys."

He continued to frown with a pained expression.

“We may have to face unknown enemies again, and when we do, I, warrior, saint, and sorceress, will continue to be indispensable.”

I put one hand on my chest and clenched my fist.

--Oh.

I don't want to hear it. His next words.

The alienation I felt when I got involved with the other members of the guild.

I'm not like them anyway, I'm not strong enough. I'm about to be confronted with that fact yet again.......

But my stagnant, dark thoughts were interrupted by the trembling voice of the saint.

“That…why is he? There is no mistake that we defeated the Demon Lord. Yet he is standing…from the chasm."

The hero quickly turned back towards where the saint pointed at.

“What! He’s not supposed to revive this fast.”

The hero leaned downwards from the edge of the chasm to stare into the bottom.

At that moment, the warrior also rushed to the scene.

Or he looked like so.

However, what he did towards hero’s back when he ran with such a strong momentum was...

Giving a kick.

“Wai-”

My voice came out unconsciously.

The hero, being kicked and with his two legs floating above nothing, turned around for a moment.

’Why, me?’ was written on his face.

After that, the hero fell to the bottom of the chasm.

After a while, a gentle sound of "fuuu" echoed around the area, the dark clouds broke up and several strands of light poured down. The miasma that had been drifting in the air was rapidly being sucked into the chasm floor.

It took about a minute.

The rough land remained as it was, but the whole area transformed into a clean place and the warrior who had been facing the chasm floor looked back at me.

“Well, what’s happened can’t be helped.”

The warrior's mouth was twisted a little but his expression was unconvincing.

After a short pause, someone behind him muttered.

“You’re right”

It was the sorceress.

When I turned to her, the sorceress continued talking while pressing her glasses up.

"I'm sorry. The hero suddenly said something strange, so my head is stuck in a loop right now.... What was that speech and conduct? Was the hero hijacked by the Demon King? Or is it his own will?"

“It’s his own will. It's probably premeditated too."

The warrior answered the sorceress's question.

I can't follow up with the suddenness of the event.

The warrior continued.

“You see, we heroes were having a hard time finding the final members of the guild at the frontier. I asked the reason from the guild master who was helping with the selection. The most important requirement for the members the heroes were looking for was that they had no relatives.”

I lost my parents early, and I have no brothers or sisters.

--Oh.

The warrior's words reminded me of something.

“I was asked if I had a boyfriend before I left.”

That was the final confirmation.

The sorceress let out a sigh at my confession.

“...isn’t his heart pure black. That is to say, the reason why he was persistently preaching self-sacrifice to Support is to reduce the mental burden as much as possible.”

The sorceress felt nauseous, after adding that she closed her mouth.

--Well, if I was convinced to sacrifice myself, the heroes won't have to worry about anything else...

Thinking so, I trembled.

With what kind of feeling did the hero talk to me during the journey?

When I was trapped in a question without answer, another voice came from my back.

"If he had consulted me beforehand, I would have offered myself.”

It was the saint.

--She's the real holy woman.

When I turned to the saint, she was already turning her back.

“There is no longer any meaning in staying here. Let's depart home."

I turned around and started walking.

Looking at the back of the saint as she walked away, I felt a sense of tightness in my chest.

--If I remember the hero and saint are...

The back of the saint was getting smaller due to our distance.

The sorceress called out to me as I continue to watch the saint with an unsupressible emotion.

I asked. "Uhm ... were the saint and the brave not in love with each other?"

To my question, the sorceress frowned and shook her head.

"No, I don't think that's the case, because we're a rush party organized just to subdue the Demon King."

The look on her face said she had never heard of it.

"Eh, but the hero said something along the line that he was destined to be connected with the saint after the journey was over. That's why the saint is sad right now."

The sorceress waved her hand in front of her face as she denied my reasoning.

"Sad? No, no, no way. Just think about it carefully.”

Then the sorceress continued to sigh.

“You can't see the bottom of the chasm from where the saint was at that time.”

The warrior, who had finally caught up with us, began to speak.

“Right after her words, the saint faced towards me and gave a hand signal to drop the hero down the chasm you know.”

--What?

WHAATTTTT!!!

■　　　　　■　　　　　■

With the feat of defeating the Demon Lord, everyone is in festive mood after we returned from the demon territory.

I declined to return in triumph but I was kidnapped to the royal capital and given a reward by the king.

Of course, it was a reward worthy of a D-class adventurer but he was quite generous, perhaps he had money to spare due to the missing hero.

Afterwards, we attended the celebration party.

I was forced to sit at this as well because there were already four custom-made seats.

During the party, the saint kept a sad expression on her face and kept holding up the remains of the hero in front of her body.

She said, "If you do it like this, everyone will misunderstand on their own.”

In fact, many of the people who rushed to the party saw her as a saint grieving over the loss of her heroic lover.

According to the saint, popularity in the world leads directly to power in the church.

After that, there was an interview about the defeat of the Demon Lord.

The warrior and the sorceress agreed to alter the actions of the hero. The testification that hero sacrificed himself.

In order to prevent the saint from breaking her oath to God that she must tell no lies, she kept sobbing and crying as soon as the hero was mentioned, and ran away, making a situation where no one could talk to the heartbroken saint.

--Ummm, they are all actors, aren't they?

And.

Two months after the trip to defeat the Demon Lord, I received a call from a warrior.

He said that he had dug up a hot spring.

What an incredible luck!

He was going to build a hot spring town and become the representative of the town, so he asked me if I wanted to help him.

He said, "Support, you're good at making food so why don't you work as an innkeeper?"

The warrior said he wanted to build a town where retired adventurers could live.

I had originally started out as an adventurer because I didn't have anyone to rely on or any money to start with but I was painfully aware of my lack of aptitude, so I decided to take the warrior's offer.

With the reward for defeating the Demon Lord and the warrior's loan, I opened an inn.

Since a hot spring had sprung up near the remote village where I had been living for some time, the older guild members began to visit me frequently.

The saint and sorceress also came to visit occasionally to take a break.

On such occasions, the warrior and I are usually the ones who listen to their complaints.

Both of them have important jobs.

"Even though I get paid a lot of money, I'm too busy to spend it."

Or something like that.

That's really tough.

Compared to that, life in the hot spring town is pretty relaxed.

Anyway.

A lot happened on that trip, but I'm happy now.

The end.

Author’s note:

Thank you very much for reading. I've closed the comments section because of my weak tofu-like mental, so if you have any thoughts, good or bad, I'd be happy to hear them.

TL’s note:

I removed the honorifics for this short story.

Couldn’t find any nice webnovel that motivates me to TL so here’s a short one… and some RL issues too.

Late Update

Sorry for the late updates if there's anyone that's still following lol. Been lazing around for a month and busy with RL stuffs too. So far, I haven't found any interesting webnovels yet so I'll be doing random short novel translations for now.

The Raven Dark Hero 121

Chapter 121 : Forgotten Warmth

TL:SummerPeanut

PATRONS DON’T FORGET TO UNSUBSCRIBE!! …and maybe let me know if there are interesting raw novels in syosetsu to read/translate.

December 24, 2071 A.D. New East Kyoto Central Area, National Diet Building.

“We should've just killed all the filths! What the hell is the NDF doing!”

One of the ministers raised his voice.

“But the Prime Minister said that Kuroyume's peaceful activities have been increasing lately, and if we try to destroy them, public opinion will be very loud!”

When the discussion turned to his direction, the Prime Minister grinned.

“Hmph. That's why this case is an opportunity, isn't it? Now we have a good reason to get rid of Kuroyume.”

“But, Prime Minister, there are reports that Kagerou is behind this attack, not Kuroyume.”

“Does it even matter? Kuroyume and Kagerou should be crushed together. Gifteds are nothing but a danger to us true humans. The only thing they are worth living for is to work like a dog for us in the NDF. Other than that, we don't need gifteds!”

Conference Room at the Parliament Building.

Twenty members of the Assembly mainly those who make up the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, gathered. All of them believed themselves, those without gifts, to be true human beings, and they did not consider the filths……No, they did not consider all gifted to be human beings at all.

These people and others who consider themselves to be higher than the gifted were the ones who created Japan today. A society of disparity between those with gifts and those without.

“But......Kuroyume has Kiryu and Bright that are considered the strongest in the world right now. The current strength of the NDF is not enough……”

“Even if those two are an exception, the rest can be handled by Special Forces, can't they? We can put missiles in all their known hideouts. This time, the cause is with us.”

But the Defense Minister raised his complaints towards Prime Minister's optimism.

“Don't underestimate them. It's true that ordinary filths can be overwhelmed by Special Forces weapons, but ordinary weapons can't compete with Kiryu, Bright and some other filths. That's why we haven't been able to get rid of them until now.”

“What then? Are we, the real human race, supposed to live in fear of aliens with abilities? Don't think of them as human beings! Use this incident as an opportunity to make up all sorts of bad publicity and eliminate Kuroyume from society!”

Bright listened coolly to what could only be described as an unbearable outburst.……right next to the Prime Minister.

“Anyway, such heresy……”

In the next moment, the Prime Minister's head flew off. At the same time, Bright deactivates his Silent Stealth.

“……Sorry, all of you will die here.”

The sudden appearance of Bright caused a panic in the conference room and they all tried to leave the room but Bright didn't need more than five seconds to clear out the number of people in this room…….

Blades of wind by the World of Windham were generated in the room……. The real human beings who had been responsible for the politics of this country, including the Prime Minister, had died out while they did not even understand how they had been killed.

Bright pondered as he stared at the corpse lying on the ground.

(You have your reason, and we have ours. Your reason is a hindrance to us. That's all.)

Bright didn't think that the real humans, who had been making a lot of derogatory remarks about people with gifts, were absolutely evil. He just couldn't understand them because their values were definitely different from his own.

The original plan was to leave the room without appearing, and Kiryu would take care of it.

However, Bright was already there. And he dared to openly stare at the surveillance camera that was in operation. He wanted the world to know that he had done it all on his own.

“I am the light within darkness, Darkflash Bright. I am the one……who will destroy this world……”

(After this……I'm sure the bosses will take care of the rest. Even if I'm not there.)

Activating Silent Stealth again, Bright left the Prime Minister's residence.

(Well then……Let's go somewhere far away, somewhere where no one is around. There……)

‘I will take my life……’. If he lives, he will eventually become a madman. If that happens, he will lose his ego, and he won’t know what he'll do. The only thing he was sure of is that if he doesn’t do anything, he'll definitely turn his fang against Kiryu. That was the only thing he couldn't ignore.

Even if he decided to die, Bright's heart would not be shaken. He knew that he would just disappear from this world, that's all. In the end, even the fear of death had begun to numb away from him.

At the end of the day, he wondered if there is anything he has left undone. No matter how indifferent his emotions are, he wondered if there is anything he could have done to make his last days better.

(……Yes, I should at least say goodbye to Fuuka. Since, we would not be able to see each other anymore.)

Deciding to do so, Bright called Kuroyume's intelligence unit and asked for Fuuka's current whereabouts.

He was informed that Fuuka had engaged the Numbers, was defeated by Vendetta's gift, and was recuperating at her home in Tokyo.

(Did she suffer a psychic attack? Maybe I shouldn’t go to see her……)

That's what he thought, but he decided that he wanted to see her with his own eyes even if he didn't get to meet her and talk to her, so he headed to Fuuka's house.

Fuuka's current home is a luxurious mansion in a prime location in Tokyo, and Onijima lives there as well, but Onijima is away for a while to train Hiro.

Normally, Fuuka would have been admitted to the medical office of the NDF headquarters or one of its affiliated hospitals, but since many of the NDF were injured in the attack, Fuuka, who had few external injuries, was treated at home instead.

(Well, it’s good that I’m here but I don't know where Fuuka's room is.)

He closed his eyes and looked for her presence. It was faint, but he could feel Fuuka's presence.

(Is she really asleep? ……That’s convenient.)

On the bed in her room, Fuuka was having a nightmare. The vision that Vendetta had shown her was repeating over and over again in her dreams…….

Bright was watching from outside the window.

(What the hell kind of vision did Vendetta give her? I'd love to meet her and give her a lecture, but……I can't do that anymore. I should be on my way.)

He was concerned about Fuuka's nightmares but he decided there was nothing he could do and was about to leave when he heard her moaning.

“……I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Kouki-kun……”

Bright stopped subconsciously when he heard his own name.

(Could it be, an illusion about me? That bitch, Vendetta~)

He felt a wave of quiet anger at Vendetta, but more importantly, he thought that the fact Fuuka was suffering because of him and he should do something to help her.

(……Maybe a while longer wouldn’t hurt?)

Bright cut through the window, unlocked it, and quietly sneaked into Fuuka's room.

“Kouki-kun……I’m sorry……”

Then he held Fuuka's hand as she swooned.

“You don't have to apologize. You did nothing wrong……”

“Kouki-kun……”

In a haze, Fuuka opened her eyes.

Bright, however, was in no hurry. On the contrary, he took off his mask and smiled at Fuuka.

“I’m right here. You’re safe, so rest well.”

Fuuka opened her eyes and smiled reassuringly.

“I’m sorry. Will you always be here for me?”

“Yeah. I will always think of you. So for now, rest well……”

“Thank you……”

And with that, Fuuka fell asleep again. However, as if what she had just experienced just was nothing more than a lie, and she was breathing quietly in her sleep.

(Fuuka…… get well soon and be happy.)

He was aware that he’s losing his emotions. But right now, he was feeling a warmth that he had long since forgotten.

“Thank you……goodbye, Fuuka.”

And Bright was gone. He told himself that he had nothing left to regret…….

Author’s Note:

Next time, a new chapter! It's scheduled to post at 11pm starting today, so don't miss it!

Now, it's been a long time since I've asked for your help.

‘This piece is not boring. I wouldn't mind reading more, though?’ If you thought about that and have not yet given it a star rating and bookmarked it, please take this opportunity to do so!

Also, if you're interested in the book, which is slightly different from the web version, please buy it!

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TL’s Note:

Thank you everyone for reading this translation work and all your support. For patrons, please don’t forget to unsubscribe so you can simp more or maybe comeback. Moving forward, I will take a break to clear out all the piled up mangas and novels first and then maybe find more interesting series to translate. El psy congroo.

The Raven Dark Hero 120

Chapter 120 : Collaborators

TL:SummerPeanut

TRDH Patrons, don’t forget to unsubscribe! Chapter 121 is released together with 120.

Author’s Note:

※Major revisions have been made!

Half a year ago

“This is…… what is happening? Boss……”

In the central area, the ruins of a deserted factory. The general of the NDF, Toshiaki Zaizen, was standing right in front of Bright that had just let out a cry of surprise.

“It’s nice to meet you. Bright…… Or should I call you Suou Kouki?”

Zaizen smiled at Bright and gave him a light bow.

Bright, who had been taken from the airport by Kiryu, was prepared for the special...... and important mission that Kiryu would give him. He had decided and he was bracing himself that this would be his last job with Kuroyume.

He said that no matter what the mission, he would do it calmly and perfectly.

But when the person in front of you is the enemy……and he is the very last boss of the filths. You can't help but feel uncomfortable.

“Boss, this is?”

“I'm sure you've known for a long time that I have a collaborator on the side of the NDF and that's this Zaizen. Well, it's understandable that you're surprised but since it is a collaborator, they must be in a good position in the military, otherwise they wouldn't have much merit, right?”

Zaizen and Kiryu.The relationship between the two began when Kiryu joined the NDF or rather...... when he was still in it.

They both joined the army at the same time, and both possessed capable gifts which made them stand out in the army. Kiryu looked down on Zaizen, who excelled in brains over battles as a weakling, and Zaizen looked down on Kiryu, who specialized in battles as a muscle-brained. Both of them regarded one another’s existence as a thorn in the flesh.

The event that changed their mind was the final battle against the phenom.

Zaizen had contributed not only with his brains but also with his fighting ability, and Kiryu had been a member of the final battle against Unknown as well. Both of them knew that the other side had learned a new side from the others. As comrades who had overcome the same threat, their bond was strong.

And after the final battle, the two of them completely agreed regarding the government's policy toward gifteds.

To improve the status of gifteds. For this purpose, the two of them began a new war.

From the front, Zaizen rose to the top of NDF, eliminating even those with gifts that stood in the way of his goals and steadily increasing the number of non-gifteds who had a favorable view of their abilities.

Kiryu, from behind the scenes, drew the gifteds who were about to be eliminated to his side and established himself as the savior of the gifteds.

And today finally, everything was ready.

Bright was surprised to hear all of this but he accepted it without any trouble.

Perhaps it was because of the lack of emotion caused by the negative effects of the Revived Hunter steadily eating away at Bright's mind.

“Okay, I understand the relationship between the two of you. So, what am I supposed to do?”

As for Zaizen, perhaps he didn't expect Bright to remain calm but he smiled a little bitterly.

“You seem to have calmed down quite a bit, haven't you? I guess you're not just Kuroyume Numbers’ Number One for show.”

Kiryu answered that question.

“Because position makes the man. Now, let's get down to business. Currently, the war between Kagerou and Kuroyume has broken out and the NDF are working to suppress it. In response to this emergency, the Prime Minister and other top officials of the country are gathering in one place. You're going to have to strike this place.”

A coup d'etat aimed at overthrowing the state. If we get rid of the head of state, Bright will definitely be recognized as a world class criminal.That is, of course, if his true identity is discovered….

“We've already got the insider setup the preps, and with your Silent Stealth, you’ll never be exposed. You'll have an easy job.”

One of Bright's gifts, Silent Stealth, is the ability to completely erase both sight and sound. It is impossible for anyone but the most strongest class gifteds to be able to detect him since the thermal cameras had been cut by the insider.

In other words, it was a very easy job for Bright. ……But only if you have no hesitation in putting your hand on non-gifteds with no power at all.

“Hmm, apparently you are not naive. As expected of the man Kiryu intended to be his successor.”

As Zaizen said, the current Bright had no hesitation in assassinating the non-gifteds in order to achieve his goal.

“Copy that. Then I'll get right to work.”

“Yeah. Once this is over, we can finally achieve our destiny. But the real battle begins then. In a world of equality, we will show how important the gifteds are to everyone. And you'll be leading the charge, Bright.”

Kiryu put his hand on Bright's shoulder. The certainty of the trust he felt in his hand made Bright's heart tighten even more.

He wanted to kill Kiryu even at this very moment because he couldn't help it…….

“……I'm off then. When the mission is over……I have some business to attend to, so I'll be taking some time off.”

“Vacation? That's unusual for you……that's fine. But just make sure you stay in touch.”

“……Alright.”

After saying that, Bright left the place to go on his mission.

Kiryu and Zaizen, who were left behind, were deeply moved by the fact that the day they had been waiting for was finally approaching.

“Bright, huh……. I never thought I'd see someone so out of the ordinary.”

“It's been three years since Himiko's prophecy. When I first met that guy in my search for the saviour, I thought that maybe he……now we have a great asset for the revival of Unknown.”

The first objective of Kiryu and Zaizen was to restore the equal world that was supposed to be built after Armageddon.

The second objective was to prepare for the upcoming revival of Unknown after the equality is restored.

The third and final step was to finish off Unknown once and for all.

“Even with all our might and Elvin's life, we were only able to temporarily seal Unknown. This time, we'll finish the Unknown off once and for all! Bright's power is essential for that.”

“I suppose only those who have confronted Unknown know its horror? Currently there are only you and Onijima-san that knows. Although Onijima-san retired, he is training Sanada who possess the same gift as Elvin as his successor. Regardless how strong those two are though, your experience will be absolutely necessary in the end.”

Kiryu did not reply to Zaizen's words.

That was because……he knew that he had very little time left.

(Not yet. I can't die yet. At least, not until I've prepared my successors to the point where I can feel they are safe without me……)

……After that, Bright disappeared.

And then Kiryu found out why Bright had disappeared and he was going to take his last action with his life on the line but no one was expecting that at the time…….

Author’s Note:

I've been working on a story for a while now, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it before the end of the year. I might make some corrections later.

I hope you all have a happy new year!

※I will finally start updating again on February 14.

This time, I'll be updating every day for about 10 chapters, so look forward to it!

TL: Not me, the next one is the last. :(

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The Raven Dark Hero 119

Chapter 119 : A Maiden’s Resolution

TL:SummerPeanut

TRDH Patrons, don’t forget to unsubscribe!

Fuuka's account of what happened with Kouki left all the members of the Hanagekitai speechless.

Two people who love each other met and parted as enemies, as if fate had played a trick on them.

For some reason, or perhaps it was the cause that brought them together, all of the members of the Hanagekitai squadron had more than a little affection for Kouki.

If they had been in Fuuka's position, would they really have been able to endure it?

No matter how much they thought about it, they could never come up with an answer because, in the end, no one except Fuuka could connect their feelings with Kouki.

“……So, why is Kouki in this place, looking so ragged?”

Bright's special body suit had holes all over it, and his mask was so tattered that it was impossible to hide his true face.

And the way Kouki was acting just now was clearly out of character.

“I don’t know. As Bright, Kouki possessed several high-ranked gifts. But in my opinion, none of these gifts are the original gifts that Kouki manifested himself. It's a rare gift, perhaps even one that General Zaizen has to kept it a secret.”

The gift that Zaizen held in such high esteem. If anyone have any of his gifts, they could be one of the best in the NDF……there was only one possible answer.

“I've heard that powerful gifts have some restrictions. Perhaps the phenomenon that's happening to Kouki-sama is also an adverse effect of the gift.”

Yoshida's words got to the heart of the matter, and Azusa, who had been watching Kouki that had longed to be a hero since he was a child, fell to her knees with tears streaming down her face.

“That's... just too cruel. He always wanted to be a hero, and he always said he would join the NDF but because he didn't manifest his gift fast enough, he’s now a member of the filths organization which is the exact opposite of what he wanted……and now, because of that same gift he’s like this. This is just too much!”

In fact, it was because of a combination of various coincidences and timing but even without knowing that, Azusa imagined how much Kouki had suffered and resented the God who she didn't even know if existed.

Each of them had mixed feelings in their hearts and a moment of silence passed. And then……

“Everyone, I have a favour to ask of you all.”

As if she had made up her mind, Fuuka opened her mouth.

“Even if we bring Bright, who is publicly being announced as having been purged, he might actually be killed this time. So… could you all please keep quiet about the fact that we saw Kouki-kun here?"

“I understand how you feel, but we can't just leave Kouki-Sama like this, can we?”

“I…… give me some time.”

Unable to understand the meaning of Fuuka's words, the Hanagekitai members' eyes focused on her.

“Everyone please continue back to the headquarters. And please report that a level 9 phenom has appeared from the black hole but has been repelled. Please report that this area is safe for the time being.”

“No, that’s all good and all, but Fuuka, what are you going to do?”

Fuuka smiled as she stroked Kouki's head, still asleep.

“This is my first and last selfish request. I don't want to be separated from Kouki-kun anymore. I'm going to stay here and live with Kouki-kun.”

Fuuka is the commander of the Hanagekitai and also the lieutenant general of the NDF. If Fuuka were to leave, it would certainly result in the disbanding of the squadron.

But…… none of the girls denied Fuuka's wish.

“……It can’t be helped, you are the general. But there's no way the higher-ups would approve of you being discharged without any reason so you'll just have to apply for a leave of absence for a while.”

“That’s right. Besides, I'm sure the higher-ups are aware that Fuuka has been under a lot of stress lately, and now that the resurgence of phenom is over, they won't be suspicious if we say she's resting.”

Yoshida and Azusa wanted to make Fuuka's wish come true. It was the same for the other members. It was as if they were entrusting Fuuka with something they could not do themselves.

“Thank you so much, everyone. Truly……”

“Wait, don't give off the vibe that you're leaving us for good. We, the Hanagekitai, will always be waiting for you. If you get tired of Kouki, you can always come back.”

When Azusa said that, Fuuka burst into large tears.

Ever since she was a child, she had never had the chance to be with other children of her own age. Hence the first time she met a friend, she thought it was a really wonderful encounter.

The members of the Hanagekitai team descended the mountain.

Fuuka was still thinking about her decision while kneeling with Kouki who was still asleep.

(Ever since I was a child, I've been under my grandpa's gifted education to become a future general of the NDF. I didn't like it at first, but somehow becoming a general in the NDF ended us as my dream. I never thought I'd have to give up my dream like this.)

“…………Urgh, eh? Fuuka?”

It's been an hour since Hanagekitai left. Finally, Kouki woke up.

“Ah……You seem to have been suffering from a terrible headache, are you okay?”

“Fuuka! So it’s not a dream after all! I’ve been missing you SO SO MUCH!”

“Fufufu…Me too-ABUBUH!?”

Suddenly, Kouki touched Fuuka's face with both hands as if to confirm.

“Wai-, Kouki-kun!?”

“The real thingー. It’s the real thingー! Alright, let’s go home!”

After saying that, Kouki forcefully pulled Fuuka's hand and started walking.

After an hour of walking with Kouki's hand in hers, they came to a hut made of trees stacked on top of each other, barely enough to shelter from the wind and rain.

“We arrivedー This, my house!”

“Your house……”

Inside, the room was about six tatami mats in size. As the granddaughter of a hero, Fuuka had grown up in a wealthy environment but this was not a place where people could live. However, that did not shake her resolve.

(So, this is our new home……wait, I'm getting nervous just thinking about it!)

Fuuka's face turned red as she thought of her life alone with Kouki.

However, without caring about Fuuka's condition, Kouki suddenly picked her up in his arms.

“KYAH!?”

“Fuuka, it’s not a dream! It really is Fuuka!”

With his eyes moistening, Kouki happily called Fuuka's name. It was an attitude that directly expressed his honest feelings, which was unimaginable from the usual Kouki.

“Fuuka, let’s live here together forever!”

Fuuka was somewhat relieved by those words. She's been thinking about what she would do if Kouki refused her offer to live with him. ……She was prepared to stay even if he refused.

“Ye……yeah. From now on, we’ll be together forever.”

“Really!? YEUSHー!!”

Changes in Kouki. Advancement and failure in NDF. Her own life.

There were many things to think about, many things to worry about, but at this moment, Fuuka was dominated by a feeling of freedom, a feeling of having decided to forget everything and live as she wanted.

(Eventually, I will have to leave this place, and I may have to live like a fugitive, moving from one place to another. But I won’t regret anything. Because I can be with the most important person in this world……)

Fuuka would later be reminded that these feelings came from her youthful ignorance of the world…….

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The Raven Dark Hero 118

Chapter 118 : Wavering Hearts

TL:SummerPeanut

TRDH Patrons, don’t forget to unsubscribe!

Half a year ago

While the members of the Numbers were disposing of bombs in various locations, Kouki and the others had arrived at Haneda.

“Let's head to headquarters and find out what's going on first.”

Kouki and Rumi nodded at Takahiko's words. Incidentally, Hannah had decided to stay in Germany for a while longer before leaving.

Kouki's intention to leave Kuroyume after this battle with Kagerou had not changed.

It was Kuroyume and Kiryu who saved him when he was struggling and gave him a purpose. In order to repay that debt, he had to do the last thing he could do to the best of his ability. He had made up his mind to do so.

(If I kill boss, I can stay alive. But no matter how many times I think about it, I don't think I want to live so much to the point of doing that……. I'm aware that I'm losing my emotions but as long as I don't forget my debt to this boss, I'll still be okay.)

He was not optimistic about his own death but he was a little proud of himself for being able to prioritize the lives of his comrades over his own even in this situation.

“Well~then, as soon as we're outside the airport, we'll use the transfer stone…… eh? Why……”

Takahiko was rendered speechless by the person who appeared in front of the three of them as they were quickly walking out of the airport, and intense emotions welled up in Kouki's head.

“Good work on your mission in Germany.”

A tall, nice middle-aged man in a long black coat. It's Kiryu, the boss of Kuroyume.

“Boss…… Why are you here? Line-san said that you’re on a solo mission……”

“As part of that solo mission, I was hoping to enlist Bright's help.”

Takahiko hid his inner impatience and looked at Kouki. Kouki stubbornly kept his attitude of putting the boss's life before his own. So, while believing that he would be fine.

But……

“……GUh…………”

Kouki's eyes were unfocused and he was trying his best to hide his crumbling expression as he held on.

(Why is the boss here!? In my head, I haven't changed my mind. And yet, if I let my guard down even a little bit, I'm afraid I'll just pounce on the boss……!)

Unconsciously, Kouki brought his palm to his mouth and bit down hard. If blood flowed, people would notice the abnormality so he treated his palm with Cell Flame at the same time.

“……What’s wrong, Bright? You seem a bit off……”

“No…… I’m fine, there’s nothing to worry about.”

(Calm down……. Calm down, me! I will not kill the boss…… I won’t!)

He desperately tried to suppress his rising desire to kill. Then, although not completely but gradually, the raging emotions subsided.

“Well then…… Why are you here, boss? Currently, we should be having a rough time with Kagerou, aren't we?”

He was worried about Kouki but Takahiko turned the topic over to Kiryu to assess the situation.

“Indeed. I’m sure they’ll be fine without me there. No?”

Kiryu's trust that Kuroyume would be fine without him couldn’t be less apparent. In fact, Takahiko also knew somewhere in his heart that even if they weren't there, with Jiren and the other numbers, they wouldn't fall behind Kagerou.

“Therefore, I have an important mission for Bright. I need you to put it into action right now.”

An urgent mission from Kiryu. There are not many missions that come directly from Kiryu in Kuroyume. In addition to that, Takahiko was a little surprised that Kiryu dared to tell him directly even though they were currently in the middle of an engagement with Kagerou.

“A mission, huh……. If it's for the sake of organization, I'm fine with it.”

His expression was already calm and collected. However, there was no way to stop the sweat that was exuding from his body.

“What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?”

There was no way Kiryu could have missed such a change in Kouki.

The urge to kill overflowed. And yet, Kouki was still able to suppress this killing intent.

“……No, it’s just airsickness. Anyway, let’s do this.”

Taking a deep breath, Kouki regained his composure.

“Wai-......”

Takahiko tried to stop him, but Kouki restrained him with his gaze saying ‘it's okay, I'll never, ever touch Kiryu.

Takahiko could only watch in silence as Kiryu and Kouki walked away, and Rumi also had an inexplicable premonition. ……one that told her she might not be able to see Kouki again.

Present time.

After being beaten by Kiryu, Evil left Teaser and Vendetta and was lying on the bed in his room.

(What was I supposed to do? Was I supposed to report everything honestly to boss?)

Now, he couldn't help but think that if he had reported it to the boss, maybe he could have done something about it in a way that he would never have thought of.

After all, he understood that Kiryu must have found out about Revived Hunter's secret.

On top of that, he was painfully aware of how helpless he was.

“Damn it……. Even if I knew where Kouki was, I couldn't do anything about it……”

It was still just a guess but the information from Vendetta gave him the location of Kouki.

But considering the source of the information, Kiryu must have found out the same information.

“……No, could it be!?”

Evil turned bloodthirsty and headed for Kiryu's room. An incredibly bad feeling was running through his head, and he didn't even notice Teaser that passed him on the way!

“Excuse me!”

He opened the door to Kiryu's room without knocking. However, there was no one in the room.

And as he looked around the room, he noticed a piece of paper on Kiryu's table.

“Hey, wait, Evil, what are you in such a hurry for!?”

Teaser, who was concerned about Evil's strange behavior, came inside the room late.

There was no sign of Kiryu, but a shivering figure of Evil with a piece of paper in his hand.

“……Evil?”

“……No, he can’t. This is… no, he can’t!”

Then Evil rushed out of the room again.

“Wai-……what is going on, sheesh!”

Teaser also chased after Evil. He couldn't leave Evil alone because his face was so blue and he had tears in his eyes.

“No, he can’t…… Boss, PLEASE WAIT FOR ME!!”

After reading the note, Evil ran to the transfer room to head to Sendai.

He was determined to stop the most dreaded development since he learned the secret of the Revived Hunters.

One week ago.

“It’s Fuuka! It’s Fuukaー! Oh, I miss you so MUCHー”

Bright frolicking in innocence……Fuuka and the other members of the group were stunned by Kouki's action of hugging, but…….

“Fuuka! Fuu…… AGUrgh!? GUWAAAAAH!!”

Then, Kouki suddenly started screaming, holding his head and cowering.

“Kouki-kun!? What’s wrong!?”

Fuuka held Kouki in her arms, looking worried.

“IT HURTS! IT HURTS! MY HEAD IS…!? ……ARGH-”

And then, Kouki collapsed helplessly and fainted.

“Kouki-kun!? Kouki-kun!!”

A few minutes later. As if to surround the unconscious Kouki on Fuuka's lap pillow, the members of the Hanagekitai, each with their own ‘damage’, were gathering.

“……Fuuka, if you don't mind. Can you tell me what this is all about?”

On behalf of the team, Yoshida asked Fuuka.

Everyone except Fuuka had thought that Kouki was dead. But now that Kouki was alive, and that Kouki was that Bright, everyone could not hide their confusion.

Fuuka remained silent as she looked tenderly at the prone and sleeping Kouki.

In place of Fuuka, Azusa opened her mouth.

“Kouki…… wasn’t dead. He manifested his gift without our knowledge, and for reasons unknown, he was living as Bright. And Fuuka knew it. She didn't tell anyone…… No, she couldn't tell anyone.”

Fuuka looked at Azusa in surprise. The expression of Azusa, who must have been hostile to her just a moment ago, was somewhat sad.

“I don't know the reason for this either but it was a secret that Bright was Kouki, wasn't it? With the way the world is going right now, I'm guessing that General Zaizen has been keeping it a secret, hasn’t he?”

Fuuka was surprised at Azusa's keen insight. She hadn't thought that she would be able to trace the information back to Zaizen.

And if the current Zaizen finds out that this information has been leaked, he may punish the entire Hanagekitai in some way. Fuuka thought about this and kept her mouth shut.

“……Sigh, Fuuka you’re truly a bad liar, huh. I can see it all written clearly on your face.”

When Azusa smiled, the other members started laughing too.

“Eh? Am I really that obvious?”

“Yeah, so I realized a long time ago that there was no way Fuuka was double-timing Kouki and Bright. But when I thought she was hiding something, I got stubborn…… I'm sorry, Fuuka.”

Azusa bowed deeply to Fuuka. Haruka, Watanabe, Okubo, and Kondo apologized to Fuuka as well.

“Hmm, at one point I really thought the squad was going to fall apart, but it looks like we're over the hump.”

Yoshida was the only one who felt truly relieved and sat down on the spot.

“Well then…… It's not clear why Fuuka couldn't tell us, but whatever happens, we're all in this together. So, won’t you tell us about Kouki……”

Fuuka looked around at all the members of the Hanagekitai team. Everyone was nodding vigorously. It was an incredibly reliable group of friends for Fuuka.

“I understand. Then, allow me to explain……”

She began to tell her friends about the events that had taken place since NDF’s attack on Shiroyume.

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