Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 96
As we follow Skrad into the ruins that serve as the headquarters of the Goddess Cult, a passageway appears immediately. After passing through it, we enter a large, open hall.
The only sounds echoing through the ruins are the footsteps of the four of us, with no one saying a word.
…It’s awfully quiet.
Honestly, I was expecting arrows to fly at us the moment we entered, or an ambush from behind a pillar, so I was on high alert. But ever since we stepped inside, we haven’t encountered a single follower of the Goddess Cult.
Moreover, there seems to be some kind of force at work within these ruins. I’ve tried using detection magic several times, but it’s been completely ineffective.
As we advance further, staying on high alert—
“Stop. I can’t let you go any further.”
The words come out of nowhere.
“Huh?”
I look toward the voice and see a man, one of the cult followers, stepping out from behind a pillar with a stern expression.
“If you’re here, that must mean the priests outside…”
“Kukuku… don’t make that face. You’ll be joining them soon enough.”
As I say this, the cultist scowls and narrows his eyes at me.
“You’re more like a villain than an adventurer…”
Belcliff, who’s fully armored, says, crossing his arms.
“…Indeed,”
Skrad replies, adjusting his glasses.
Emilia, listening to this exchange, lets her gaze drift in an indescribable expression.
But seriously, what does this guy think he’s doing, showing himself alone instead of ambushing us? He doesn’t seem any stronger than the followers we just fought, but… does he have some kind of ace up his sleeve?
As I warily start closing the distance between us, the cultist pulls a fist-sized crystal from his pocket.
“Tsk… Die.”
Sensing something ominous, I charge at him at full speed and swing my sword.
“Ugh… Restraining Bind!”
The cultist, slashed and spattering blood, manages to activate his magic as he falls. The Restraining Bind he casts is ineffective, deflected by our anti-magic equipment. But in that instant, the crystal he held begins to glow.
“This is… Gray-san, run!”
Skrad shouts urgently.
At that moment, a loud rumbling fills the air as the stone floor starts collapsing.
Emilia and I dash toward the passageway leading further into the ruins, barely escaping the collapsing floor. Once the noise stops, I turn back, but there’s no trace of Skrad or the others.
“Hey, what the hell is going on here?”
Ares turns toward the voice.
Standing there is Gansas, the man who had a run-in with Grey at the Adventurer’s Guild, frowning with a furrowed brow.
“Why are you guys drawing weapons in the middle of town?”
Gansas says, looking back and forth between Ares and the members of “Lightningbolt.”
“…Huh? You’re that newbie who was with Gray, aren’t you?”
“Uh… well…”
As Ares hesitates, wondering how to respond to Gansas’ words—
“Tch… This has nothing to do with you! Butt out, Gansas!”
The leader of “Lightningbolt” snaps, clicking his tongue as he yells.
“In this situation, you really think I’m just going to walk away? If you won’t talk peacefully, I’ll make you explain.”
Gansas pulls out his backup hand axe, rather than his favorite battle axe. Then he says to Ares,
“Hey, give me a hand. And you’ll be explaining everything to me later too.”
With that, he raises his hand axe, aiming it at the members of “Lightningbolt” and Buzz.
“Ah… yes!”
Although Ares has a lot on his mind, he realizes he has to stop these people for Nina’s sake.
(I have to stop them…)
He draws his short sword.
“Don’t get cocky, Gansas! You’re always letting Gray make a fool of you!”
The leader of “Lightningbolt” yells, swinging his sword at Gansas.
However, Gansas deflects the sword with his hand axe and counters with a kick to the leader’s exposed stomach.
“Ugh…”
The leader of “Lightningbolt” clutches his stomach, doubling over in pain.
“Heh… Like I need to hear that from you guys, who just skulk around muttering in the shadows.”
Gansas snorts, grabbing the leader’s head and slamming his knee into his face.