Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 150: “Deploying a Defensive Formation at the Trading Post”
—Shortly before Princess Sophia captured the intruder, at the border Trading Post—
Evening. Several travelers were hiding around the Trading Post.
They wore grass-colored clothes, reversible cloaks, and bulging leather pouches. Dust covered their faces, making them look like weary travelers.
They approached through the tall grass, moving quickly while scanning their surroundings. They belonged to Prince Ricardo’s investigation unit.
“Our unit will now investigate the Trading Post.”
The vice-captain spoke.
“Noza Town and the Demon Lord’s Domain built this facility together. It’s the ideal place to gather information about the border region.”
He indicated the wooden fence and the two stone buildings at the center of the Trading Post. Those buildings were their targets.
“We’ll sneak into those buildings and investigate the interiors. If there are any documents, we’ll take them. To make it look like the work of thieves, we’ll probably need to take some valuables as well. Any questions?”
“According to the documents, the buildings are the ‘Trading Post Administration Facility’ and the ‘Rest Area.’ Which one should we investigate?”
One subordinate raised a hand and asked. The captain shook his head.
“Both. We’ll bring back all the information. It’s possible the demons and demi-humans are plotting to get their hands on that box.”
Humans and demi-humans conducting trade—it was unthinkable in the imperial capital. That being the case, it was likely the Demon Lord had objectives beyond simple commerce.
The people of the Demon Lord’s Domain had effortlessly defeated Magical Beast Gargarossa, then destroyed the giant centipede and scorpion magical beasts. Beings with such power couldn’t have built this facility solely for ordinary trade.
“I heard the Trading Post was established after they defeated a newly appeared magical beast.”
The vice-captain continued.
“Perhaps the Demon Lord’s Domain learned that the monster had been summoned, and they believe a new hero will be summoned soon.”
“T-That does sound plausible… Captain.”
“That’s why we need to investigate this place. I’ve heard it’s managed by people from the Demon Lord’s side. If we dig into it, we might learn what they’re planning.”
They reached the low wooden fence surrounding the Trading Post. It was intended to keep animals out and would be easy to cross.
Beyond the fence, it was deserted. Trade probably wasn’t being conducted today. Not a soul in sight.
Only a minotaur soldier guarded the entrance. Security was unusually light, perhaps because the Trading Post was closed.
That made sense… but it still felt far too careless.
“Let’s get a little closer and confirm the situation. If it seems dangerous, we’ll leave and go support the unit that went to Princess Sophia.”
“““──Understood.”””
The investigative unit moved while staying hidden in the grass. And then──
“Captain. There appears to be a signpost.”
“Hmm. Read it.”
“It says, ‘The Trading Post is closed for renovation. Construction is dangerous, so please don’t approach.’”
“““…………”””
The soldiers of the investigative unit exchanged glances. Upon closer inspection, there were several other similar signs.
Other signs read: “Don’t approach. This is your warning.” “We told you not to come closer.” “The Trading Post is closed. We informed the town and village chiefs, so confirm it with them.”
That’s what the signs said.
“Is the lax security because of these signs? Do they think people won’t come close if they’re warned?”
“The Demon Lord’s Domain has strong combat capabilities. The people of the borderlands should know that. If so, maybe even signposts are enough to serve as warnings.”
“I see.”
“In that case, Captain, I can understand the Demon Lord’s laxity.”
“Maybe the reason for the light security is because they believe in their own strength?”
“Some people believe no one can defy the strongest among them.”
“Sounds like something a demi-human would think──”
They whispered among themselves. After a short briefing──
“──Hide. Someone is coming from the forest.”
At the vice-captain’s signal, the unit dropped flat. Beastmen and lizardmen were approaching from the direction of the Demon Lord’s Domain.
They weren’t armed. In their hands were buckets, mops, and brooms. They had likely come to clean the Trading Post.
“—Unbreakable Lance.”
“—Our mission is to overcome fear.”
“—Today’s duty is cleaning.”
“—We’ll make the bath sparkle and earn Master’s praise.”
They could hear the voices of those speaking.
For now, it seemed that the others hadn’t noticed them.
However, the newcomers included beastmen with sharp hearing, so the investigators needed to be careful.
“From here on, don’t make a sound.”
The vice-captain issued orders through hand signals.
It was a basic rule of covert operations.
When facing enemies with sharp hearing, they refrained from speaking and communicated using hand signals.
“We’ll observe them.”
“The route they took is safe.”
“Make sure to completely suppress your presence.”
“If discovered, escape.”
The vice-captain conveyed each instruction silently.
“Understood.”
The soldiers suppressed their presence and lay flat on the ground.
Before long, the beastman and the lizardman entered the central building.
Their figures disappeared from view.
It was a good time for the investigation team to begin their operation.
“Let’s move.”
“Yes, Vice-Captain!”
The unit approached the Trading Post.
They suddenly noticed a strange object beyond the fence surrounding the premises.
The red cone-shaped objects stood throughout the grounds. The one near the southern gate even bore a birdlike sculpture.
Was it something to indicate renovations?
Or perhaps it was a cultural practice of the Demon Lord’s Domain, incomprehensible to humans?
While they pondered this—
“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER! I’LL EAT YOU ALIIIIIIVE!!”
A massive murderous aura attacked the investigation team!
“Hi—hiiiii!?”
“You fool! Don’t make a sound!!”
The vice-captain instinctively pinned down the soldier who cried out.
Even then, the overwhelming bloodlust surged forward.
The vice-captain trembled as goosebumps rose across his skin.
(W-What’s this… this murderous intent…!?)
There was no voice.
Only the intense bloodlust of “I’ll eat you” assaulted them.
It felt as if fangs had been sunk into their throats.
They were an elite investigation team. Highly experienced in combat.
They had defeated bandits in the dark, fought ferocious magical beasts.
Even then, they had never felt fear.
Yet now, faced with this torrent of bloodlust, their bodies wouldn’t stop trembling.
They wanted to scream.
They wanted to run away—right now.
“—gh! —gh!!”
“Forgive me. Please stay quiet.”
The vice-captain bound and gagged the panicking soldier.
Now he could no longer cry out.
“One soldier is incapacitated. We’ll retrieve him during our withdrawal.”
The vice-captain gave the signal with trembling hands.
“The rest of you, wait. I’ll cast a spell that dulls the senses.”
“—C-Commander!?”
“—Isn’t that dangerous!?”
“—That spell is meant for enemies, not allies…”
The spell to dull senses was usually used to support combat.
It had the effect of weakening a target’s vision, sense of smell, and touch.
It was mainly used to lower the evasion abilities of enemies or prey, making them easier to catch or flee from.
It was a weak spell with short duration and often resisted.
But if cast on oneself or allies, it was a different matter.
They just had to accept it without resisting.
“You all remember, don’t you? The hero who was summoned to this world, shaking with fear.”
The vice-captain spoke in a low voice.
“During his first battle, he cast a sensory-dulling spell on himself. By suppressing his fear, he became a Berserker and stood against the magical beasts. We’ll follow his example.”
Most likely, the source of the murderous intent was outside the Trading Post.
Proof of that was the beastman and lizardman sweeping inside the central area.
Humming cheerfully, enjoying themselves.
That showed the murderous aura only affected the area outside the Trading Post.
Then the solution was simple.
Temporarily dull their senses to stop feeling the killing intent.
They could infiltrate while under the spell, then wait for it to wear off to investigate calmly.
“That’s all. Any questions?”
“None.”
“Then I’ll cast the spell. Stay still.”
The vice-captain cast the spell on his subordinates and finally on himself.
Finally, he used it on himself.
His vision immediately blurred. The sound of the wind became distant.
(With my senses dulled, the killing intent should no longer reach me…)
—
Unless it’s an incredibly powerful one.
Thinking that, the investigation team began to move.
They reached out to the fence surrounding the Trading Post.
Then—immediately—
“Ggh… gaaah!”
Once again, a wave of massive killing intent surged in, and another subordinate panicked.
The soldier curled into a ball, desperately stifling his scream. His trembling back hunched over. Even pulling or hitting him didn’t move him.
He was completely stunned and unresponsive.
(I-Is it still coming!? Even with dulled senses, it’s no use!?)
The vice-captain immediately restrained the panicking soldier and covered his mouth.
That made two who had dropped out.
Only three members remained, including the commander.
(Should we… retreat?)
For a moment, the commander considered it, then shook his head.
Retreating would tarnish Prince Ricardo’s name.
The investigation team couldn’t be seen fleeing in fear from an unknown terror.
“We’ll retrieve him on the way back. Let’s move.”
The vice-captain and the remaining two soldiers climbed over the fence and entered the Trading Post.
At the same time, the spell to dull their senses wore off.
He looked toward the center—there, the beastman and lizardman were still sweeping.
And before he realized it, a woman was now standing beside the demi-humans.
(A human?)
She seemed to have small horns behind her ears, but… it was too far to be sure.
She might be human.
If that were the case, then humans could enter this Trading Post without trouble.
She was a beautiful woman. Who could she be?
She served tea and sweets to the beastman and lizardman. She looked happy.
While they, fellow humans, were struggling like this…
“—No matter. Let’s approach pretending to be bandits and get information from her as well.”
The vice-captain quickly put on a mask.
Disguised as a bandit, he planned to enter the central building, restrain the woman and demi-humans, and extract information.
That way, he could extract all the information he needed.
The vice-captain gave a hand signal and turned around—
Twitch twitch.
“…” “…”
The two remaining subordinates had fainted.
“I told you not to come iiiiiiiiiiin!!”
“We’re under constuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuction!!”
“We appreeeeeciate your cooooooooperation!!”
(Gaaaaaaah!?)
At the same time, a murderous aura far stronger than before surged toward him.
(W-What!? Wasn’t the killing intent supposed to disappear once we entered!?)
In the center of the Trading Post, the woman and demi-humans were still talking.
How could they be so calm amidst such a terrifying aura…?
(N-No good. I can’t go on. We must retreat—We must tell His Highness never to approach this Trading Post…)
The operation was a failure.
Of the five members, two panicked and had to be restrained.
The other two had fainted from the murderous aura flooding the Trading Post.
Only the vice-captain remained conscious. Investigation was impossible in this state.
(Escape… Wait? From where did I enter again…?)
While carrying his comrades, the vice-captain collided headfirst with a crimson cone.
The impact knocked him to the ground, but the cone didn’t budge an inch.
He got back up and looked around.
(W-Why?! I should have been running toward the fence…!?)
His sense of direction was completely disoriented.
The magic that dulled his senses had already worn off.
And yet, he couldn’t tell where the exit was.
Furthermore—
Shhh… shhh…
(…What’s that sound?)
Listening carefully, he heard something sliding across the ground.
The demon woman and the demi-humans also seemed to have noticed the sound. This was bad.
“Wake up! We’re retreating! The operation is canceled!”
He shouted into the ears of the unconscious ones. Their eyes fluttered open.
It seemed they had managed to regain consciousness. Thank goodness.
If they could stand on their own, retreating would be much easier.
“…What in the world is this place?”
Could it be that a giant magical beast was living beneath the Trading Post?
If not, then what could be releasing such a terrifying aura?
The vice-captain looked around again.
There was nothing dangerous in the wavering field of his dizziness.
All he saw were the wide-open tent flaps at the entrance,
and the bright red cone-shaped objects placed throughout the Trading Post.
Looking closer, there was a particularly special cone in the center of the Trading Post. It had a statue of a horned beast mounted on its tip. Perhaps these cones were having some sort of effect.
From the center of the Trading Post, a woman, a beastman, and a lizardman were walking over.
They seemed to have noticed the shhh sound and came to check it out.
“We must leave quickly. Walk on your own if you can.”
“…Ugh…”
“…Hiii…”
The vice-captain cast the sensory-dulling spell on himself and his comrades.
The murderous aura lessened just a bit. His subordinates were able to walk now.
All that remained was to head for the exit.
This place had something—separate from the murderous aura—that messed with people’s sense of direction.
And yet, the woman, beastman, and lizardman moved around with calm, relaxed expressions, chatting and smiling cheerfully.
(We’re suffering through this while they smile? When they come closer, I’ll—)
Supporting his subordinates, the vice-captain began following the edge of the tent.
He slowly advanced, brushing against the nearby tent.
He couldn’t rely on his internal sense of direction. He had to follow the tent for guidance.
There was a fence just beyond the tent.
He just had to leap over it without thinking about anything else.
(The mission failed, but I learned something important. An unknown defense protects this Trading Post. I must report it to Prince Ricardo…)
The vice-captain made his way toward the fence.
His vision swayed violently.
Still, he took a running start to leap over it—
SHHH!!
A signboard with a smiling child passed right in front of him.
(W-What the—!?)
It was a metal signboard.
On it was an image of a child running with a cheerful smile.
It was speeding around the outer perimeter of the Trading Post.
(Wh-Whhaaat!?)
What was this?
That wasn’t there before.
The investigation team should have been able to climb over the fence just fine.
And yet now, signboards with the image of a child were speeding along the inside of the fence.
Not just one—two, three, maybe four—no, they were too fast to count.
It was as if children with cheerful smiles were dashing around the Trading Post.
(C-Could this be… a safety mechanism of the Trading Post!?)
They had badly underestimated the Demon Lord’s Domain.
There were so few guards because non-humans were the ones protecting the Trading Post.
A mysterious murderous aura to intimidate intruders.
A system that disorients the intruder’s sense of direction.
And signboards of children to prevent escape.
With such defensive mechanisms, there was no need for guards.
This Trading Post was heavily guarded by multiple enchantments and magic items.
(To investigate this place… a small force won’t do. We’d need at least a hundred soldiers…)
But if they did that, it would be an act of war.
They couldn’t afford to make enemies of people who possessed this level of power.
And even if they did send a hundred troops, there was no guarantee they could take control of the place. They might all just faint from the murderous aura and lose their sense of direction.
(A-Anyway, I have to escape.)
The vice-captain steeled himself.
(The second unit at Princess Sophia’s location should be producing results. If our unit alone fails, we’ll be disgraced.)
The squad leader took a deep breath. He timed it carefully.
The plan was set.
As soon as the next “child signboard” passed, he would leap over the fence.
After that, he’d pull his subordinates over from the outside. That was it.
(—Now!)
He took off running. His dizziness caused his steps to falter.
He thought he was running straight toward the fence, but his trajectory was slightly off.
Still, it didn’t matter. With all his momentum, he jumped—
Stop.
The signboard stopped directly in front of the vice-captain.
The child depicted on it looked at him.
And then—
Wham!!
The signboard suddenly sprang outward and sent the vice-captain flying.
“…Th-this can’t… be happening…”
Impossible.
They were elite soldiers chosen by the Imperial Family, professionals in covert operations.
There was no way their mission could fail.
“…How am I supposed to report this… to His Highness…”
We entered the Trading Post, were overwhelmed by an unknown terror, lost our way in an open courtyard, and were struck down by a child-shaped signboard—who would believe such a report?
Perhaps they would have to bring Prince Ricardo here and make him experience it personally.
With that thought, the vice-captain lost consciousness.
—A few minutes earlier, from Civil Official Erte’s point of view—
“…The ‘Jump-Out Kid’ is active.”
“…Which means, there are intruders?”
“…I’ll go take a look!”
Erte exchanged glances with a lizardman and a beastman soldier.
The Lizardman and Beastman were members of the “Unbreakable Lance.”
They had been assigned to guard Erte by order of General Raisenga.
They had been chosen because they personally understood the terror of the Traffic Cones.
“We’ll need more soldiers if we’re to monitor the entire Trading Post.”
Erte sighed.
She had only recently been dispatched to the Trading Post.
Her current duty was to inspect the renovation work and report to the Chancellor’s Office.
That’s why she was currently staying here.
“A small group leaves too many blind spots. Alchemist-sama was right to deploy the Traffic Cones…”
“Erte-sama, you seem to be wearing a complicated expression.”
“The Five-Element Defensive Formation: Intimidation–Jump-Out Type and the Jump-Out Kids are truly terrifying…”
“In any case, let us go check the situation.”
The two from the “Unbreakable Lance” took the lead as the group began to walk.
The Trading Post was currently protected by a Five-Element Defensive Formation built from Traffic Cones.
It guarded the facility on days when the Trading Post was closed.
“And the current formation is the Intimidation–Jump-Out Type, correct?”
Inside each “Traffic Cone” was a single strand of human hair.
If someone from the human race approached, the cone would react to their magic and emit an overwhelming presence.
Furthermore, the intimidation effect was said to be amplified by the power of the “Five Elements.”
Its power was several times stronger—enough to knock out even experienced soldiers.
“But we don’t feel anything at all…”
Though Erte and her companions were inside the formation, they felt no fear at all.
In fact, just moments ago, they had been enjoying a peaceful tea time.
It was so calm, even paperwork had been progressing smoothly.
“The Traffic Cones react only to humans. I’m a demon, and you’re a beastman and lizardman, so they won’t target us. There’s no need to be afraid.”
“B-But… Erte-sama…”
“The ‘Traffic Cones’ really are terrifying.”
The two from the “Unbreakable Lance” trembled, hunching over.
They had apparently gotten lost inside the cone formation a few days ago, and it had really scared them.
“It’s okay.”
To the two, Erte offered a reassuring smile.
“That’s why Alchemist-sama gave us the Health-Boosting Pendants.”
Erte touched the pendant she wore at her chest.
It was a metal pendant engraved with the figures of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Kirin.
The pendant converted and circulated the wearer’s magical energy.
And within the “Five-Element Defensive Formation,” it had one more special function.
“Alchemist-sama said that wearing it would protect our sense of direction from the formation.”
“Y-Yes. He made them specifically for those of us who fear the Five-Element Defensive Formation.”
“Alchemist-sama is kind, but I didn’t fully understand his explanation. He said carrying the pendant was like carrying the true cardinal directions with you, so you couldn’t get lost…”
“I don’t fully understand the theory either. But I trust the alchemist’s creations.”
Saying that, Erte smiled.
Thor had explained the principle when he handed Erte the pendant.
It bore the five divine beasts associated with the four directions and the center.
In other words, the wearer always carried the true east, west, south, north, and center.
No matter how much the surroundings spin, the center point remains fixed.
That’s why the wearer wouldn’t lose their sense of direction even inside the “Five-Element Defensive Formation.”
—That was the explanation.
To be safe, she had also consulted Chancellor Kelve.
She sent a letter, and a response came back immediately.
His reply had arrived immediately: “Thor-dono can be trusted, but trying to understand his theories will give you a headache—literally.”
“…I understand why the Chancellor trusts him.”
Of course, Erte trusted Thor too.
She also wore the Natural Volume Hairpiece Thor had created.
Thanks to that, her horns appeared smaller. From a distance, people said she looked human.
With this, she might even be able to become friends with humans.
Ever since Thor arrived, however, Chancellor Kelve had suffered frequent headaches.
Even the walls and pillars of the Chancellor’s Office had begun to suffer damage. That was her only concern.
“There they are. The intruders.”
Erte pointed toward the fence surrounding the Trading Post.
Just before it, people dressed like travelers were collapsed on the ground.
“They just look like travelers…”
“What do you mean, Erte-sama?”
“Look beyond the fence. You’ll see people tied up and gagged. That level of restraint can’t be managed by ordinary travelers.”
Erte looked out beyond the fence as she spoke.
“They’re probably imperial soldiers disguised as travelers. They restrained companions who panicked under the Traffic Cones’ killing intent, then infiltrated the grounds themselves.”
“Then let’s tie them up and escort them away.”
“Erte-sama, please stay somewhere safe!”
The two from the “Unbreakable Lance” began to restrain the intruders.
There was no resistance.
All of the intruders had lost consciousness. There were no visible injuries.
Only one had been struck directly by a Jump-Out Kid and would require treatment.
“So this is the power of the Five-Element Defensive Formation: Intimidation–Jump-Out Type…”
Erte murmured in amazement.
Before her eyes, the Jump-Out Kids circling the perimeter came to a stop.
They folded flat and slid back into the tent.
If intruders appeared again, they would activate once more.
The Five-Element Defensive Formation: Intimidation–Jump-Out Type used the Five Elements to disorient intruders, Traffic Cones to intimidate them, and Jump-Out Kids to attack.
—It was truly a formation combining both offense and defense.
Alchemist Thor had said:
“Magic circulates rapidly inside a Traffic Cone formation using the Five Elements. If a Jump-Out Kid enters that flow, it should move along the current and intercept intruders, right?”
— Or so he said.
He had said it with a cheerful smile.
Erte had understood less than half of the explanation.
Only a few people could follow Thor’s theories.
Erte wasn’t one of them, and lately she found that slightly disappointing.
(Her Majesty, Mabel, and Princess Sophia of Noza Town can probably understand at least part of his reasoning…)
The Jump-Out Kids also had a safety mechanism and targeted only humans. Whenever Erte approached, they casually moved aside.
“But for human intruders, it must be a nightmare.”
In any case, the safety of the Trading Post had been secured.
It might be a bit excessive… but it served as a warning to intruders.
For now, that was enough—so thought Erte, nodding to herself.
“The intruders will be questioned in the Demon Lord’s Domain and later handed over to Princess Sophia. I hope they honestly explain why they entered the Trading Post and whether they have accomplices.”
“Erte-sama, I’d like you to take a look at something.”
Suddenly, one of the beastfolk from the “Unbreakable Lance” called out to Erte.
“There was a strange piece of parchment among the intruders’ belongings. I’d like you to look at it.”
“Understood. Please let me see it.”
Erte took the parchment and began to read through it.
What was written on the parchment was a list of names.
There were around twenty individuals.
At the top of the list was “Commander Geralt Zelger.”
Below were the vice-commander, regular soldiers, and several temporary hires.
“Could this be a roster from the fortress where the magical beast appeared…?”
Erte murmured in a daze.
“If so, these intruders may have been searching for clues about the Mysterious Box and believed they could find something at the Trading Post.”
Erte recalled what the Demon Lord had told her.
As the official responsible for the Trading Post, Erte had been briefed about the Mysterious Box.
Commander Geralt Zelger had summoned the Mysterious Box.
During the chaos caused by the giant scorpion magical beast, someone had taken it.
The thief was most likely one of the temporary hires.
Which means—
“Then one of the temporary hires on this list may be the person who took the Mysterious Box…”
Of course, there was a possibility they used fake names.
Even so, this was an important clue.
She needed to report to General Raisenga immediately and send a letter to the Demon Lord.
“Restrain the intruders and lock them in a room at the branch office. I’ll write to Her Majesty and General Raisenga. As soon as I finish, deliver the letters and this roster to the general.”
“Understood!”
Erte dashed toward the central building.
With this list, the Demon Lord’s Domain might be able to recover the Mysterious Box.
If that happened, it would become an advantage against the Empire.
The matter of the intruders could also serve as a bargaining chip.
And then—
“If we obtain the Mysterious Box, Alchemist-sama will be delighted and immediately try to open it.”
Without question, that was exactly what Thor would do.
No matter how long it took, he would eventually open it.
No one knew what lay inside the Mysterious Box.
But Thor would open it.
That was the kind of man Alchemist Thor Canaan was.
“…Is it truly safe to hand this list to Her Majesty and General Raisenga? If the Demon Lord’s Domain obtains the Mysterious Box, could that create an even greater problem…?”
With the valuable list in her hands, Erte couldn’t stop her body from trembling.