Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 196 – Like a Puppy
After finishing breakfast, Rest left the inn with Yuri.
Waiting in front of the inn were Urla, her attendant, and several armed soldiers.
“Good morning…”
Urla greeted softly.
“Have you been waiting here the whole time?”
“I just got here.”
She replied curtly.
Her cheeks were faintly red, but it seemed likely she had been waiting for quite some time.
(The weather is getting colder. Waiting out here in the chill would naturally redden her face… or is it something else?)
Normally, people’s faces turned red after stepping into a warm space from the cold. Rest pondered this briefly but set it aside, feeling guilty if he had indeed kept her waiting.
“My apologies. Well then, shall we go?”
“…Yes.”
Urla replied with a nod.
The group was headed to the plains’ wetlands.
“By the way… who are these people?”
Rest asked, gesturing at the soldiers.
“I am Ostley, a soldier of the Lavender Margrave’s territorial army.”
A stern-faced soldier behind Urla introduced himself.
The man appeared to be in his forties, broad-shouldered with a scarred face—a seasoned warrior through and through.
“Count Clover, we deeply apologize for troubling you with our shortcomings.”
“No, it’s fine. Could you explain the situation as we move?”
“Of course. I will brief you on the way.”
Ostley replied.
Led by the soldiers, Rest and the others entered the eastern Sabnock Plains.
Although Rest had ventured into the plains several times, this was his first time approaching from the east. Until now, he had focused on developing the west, north, and central areas. The eastern wetlands remained unexplored.
“I heard the east had a lot of poorly drained land, but it doesn’t seem too bad.” R
Rest remarked.
The vegetation differed, but it didn’t look like the soggy, waterlogged terrain one might associate with wetlands.
“Not all of the east is like that. The wetlands are farther in. The dry areas here have mostly been developed. However, we’ve been struggling to deal with the worms inhabiting the wetlands—especially one enormous specimen that we can’t handle.”
“They don’t come out… so the damage is minimal.”
Urla added succinctly.
Her cryptic remark only deepened the mystery, but her attendant quickly clarified.
“The worms don’t leave the wetlands, so the damage is limited. However, they’ve become more aggressive due to the influence of magic barriers, so caution is advised.”
“I see…”
Rest nodded. The explanation was concise and easy to understand.
(Honestly, it might have been better if the attendant explained everything from the start.)
“Come to think of it… now that we’re here, I see you two are joining us.”
Both Urla and her attendant had naturally tagged along, even though neither appeared to be fighters.
“…No problem.”
Urla replied.
“Despite her appearance, my lady is a master of archery. She won’t be a burden.”
The attendant assured.
“Something’s coming… I’ll handle it.”
Urla declared.
“Oh my, it seems a monster has appeared ahead. My lady insists on dealing with it herself.”
The attendant added.
“…Alright.”
Rest agreed.
Ahead, a black lizard the size of a calf lumbered into view. Its bulky, sluggish frame resembled that of a giant salamander rather than a lizard.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Urla said, swiftly pulling out a short bow.
She nocked an arrow in one fluid motion and silently let it fly.
“Gyuh…!”
The arrow struck the lizard squarely in the head. It convulsed briefly before collapsing to the ground, motionless.
“What incredible skill.”
Rest expressed his genuine admiration.
It wasn’t just her skill; her speed in drawing and firing the bow was extraordinary.
Moreover, she had made no sound whatsoever while readying and releasing the shot.
(That was more like the work of a hunter… or perhaps an assassin…)
Ad
Rest, who constantly maintained his Presence Detection magic, realized that if Urla were to target him without it, he wouldn’t be confident in evading her attack. He might not even notice the battle had begun before being struck down.
“…Ahem.”
Urla cleared her throat, puffing out her small chest with pride.
Was it his imagination? She looked like a puppy that had just learned a new trick, silently pleading, “Praise me, praise me!”
“That’s amazing. Truly impressive.”
Rest said sincerely.
Instinctively, his hand moved toward her head to give a pat, but he stopped himself at the last moment.
No matter how friendly their relationship was becoming, it would be inappropriate to pat the head of a noble lady from another family.
“…Disappointed.”
Urla muttered softly, her shoulders drooping slightly and her lips pouting. Or so it seemed.