Kays Translations

Chapter 31: The Unusual Protagonist, Kane

“Lloyd, I’ve heard the rumors. Seems like you’ve fallen pretty low, huh? What happened to your prized accessories?”

Kane said this while looking down on me, a sly smile spreading across his face. With his spiky hair, he looked just like Lloyd from the anime.

“I sold them. Needed the money.”

“Ahahahaha! I see! A solo C-rank adventurer can’t live like they used to, huh?”

As Kane laughed heartily, he nudged Emi and Rena beside him, and they laughed along with him.

Then, both Emi and Rena looked up at me and spoke in turn.

“Lloyd, you never could save money. You must have spent what you got from selling those accessories in no time.”

“Not only have you fallen in rank as an adventurer, but you’re also done for as a man.”

As they said this, they clung even tighter to Kane’s arms. Kane, enjoying their attention, smirked at me as if boasting.

Although Emi and Rena were never really Lloyd’s women, Kane probably felt like he had taken them from me.

… But is this really the protagonist I know from the anime? Where did his protagonist qualities go?

“Kane, what happened to you? Haven’t you changed a lot?”

“Huh? I haven’t changed at all.”

When I couldn’t help but ask, Kane turned his face away from me, looking uncomfortable.

No, saying you haven’t changed at all is just not believable.

“Hm?”

While I was thinking this, a man in shabby clothes approached. He looked like Kane used to, glancing apologetically at Kane.

What’s going on?

“Um, Kane-san, could I get today’s payment?”

“Payment? Did you do anything today?”

“What? I mean, carrying luggage, providing rear support…”

Hearing this, I finally realized that the man was a new member of Kane’s party. His equipment and overall vibe were completely different from the others, and he stood apart, making it hard to recognize him as a party member.

“Oh yeah, you were scurrying around in the back.”

Kane said this with a deliberately exaggerated tone, smirking.

… This conversation feels oddly familiar. Like something that happened recently.

While I was thinking this, Kane took some coins from his pocket and tossed them at the man’s feet.

“There, pick them up.”

“Is this all? How am I supposed to live on this?”

“If you don’t like it, quit. There are plenty of replacements for a luggage carrier.”

As Kane laughed, the other party members joined in, mocking the man. 

… This is exactly what happened to Kane in the anime.

As Kane laughed heartily, he glanced at me as if he realized something.

“Hm? Who’s that kid… oh, a beastman.”

Kane drained his glass and stood up, directing his gaze at Lilina.

“Hey, kid, rejoice. I’ll let you join my party, ‘Dragon King’s Flame’. You can be our luggage carrier. Beastmen are strong, right? We’ll use you until you’re worn out. Plus, you’re not bad looking. Come on, get over here.”

Kane extended his hand towards Lilina.

Strong enough to be a luggage carrier? Use her until she’s worn out?

Did he just say that to Lilina?

Hearing Kane’s words, I felt my blood boil, and before I knew it, I had raised my fist. But the next moment, a sharp smack echoed in the adventurer’s guild.

I relaxed my clenched fist when I heard the sound. It wasn’t me who made the sound; it was Lilina, who slapped Kane’s hand away.

“Don’t touch me so casually.”

Lilina glared coldly at Kane, slapping his outstretched hand hard. 

The unexpected action made the adventurer’s guild fall silent.

“Y-You brat…”

Kane’s face turned red with anger, realizing that his invitation had been rejected. He started trembling with rage.

I can’t let this situation escalate further.

Thinking that, I stepped between Lilina and Kane, staring straight at Kane.

“Sorry, Kane. This girl is a member of my party. Please don’t try to take her.”

“Lloyd-sama!”

Hearing my words, Lilina’s expression brightened instantly.

Although I spoke without thinking, I didn’t regret it at all. It was an answer to Lilina’s previous words.

‘So, Lloyd-sama, won’t you take me with you?’

I thought it would be better for Lilina’s happiness to be with Kane, but given the current situation, I couldn’t leave her with someone like Kane.

As I thought about this, I felt a sense of clarity in my heart. I couldn’t hide my joy at the thought of continuing my journey with Lilina.

Seeing my expression, Lilina also gave a soft, relieved smile.

“…No, no, it’s me. The leader of the A-rank party ‘Dragon King’s Flame’ personally invited you. Normally, you wouldn’t refuse.”

“Kane?”

While I was talking with Lilina, Kane was muttering something under his breath. Before I could look at his face, Rena and Emi nestled up to him.

“Kane, it’s fine. You’ve got us, so you don’t need a kid like that, right?”

“That’s right. There are things a kid can’t do, but we can.”

Emi and Rena flirtatiously said this to Kane, causing him to smirk again.

“…That’s true. If you look closely, she’s just an underdeveloped kid. We don’t need someone like that. Maybe she’s just right for a fallen guy like him! Hahaha!”

As Kane laughed loudly, the other party members joined in. Finally, Kane left the adventurer’s guild, saying, “If we stay with a loser like him, we’ll end up as losers too!”

“Lloyd-sama is not a loser!”

“Lilina, it’s alright.”

As Kane left, Lilina tried to defend me, but it only made them laugh harder.

Well, it’s clear to anyone that I’ve fallen.

“Kane’s really changed a lot.”

“I hate that man!”

Lilina puffed out her cheeks in anger.

Well, nobody would like Kane in his current state.

I was left troubled by how much things had diverged from the anime.

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