Kays Translations

Chapter 117: Hayato, You Really Did It

Day 272 in the Parallel World

The next day, I headed to the city with Tsubaki and Natsuki.

Our purpose was to meet with Hayato and the others. We had arranged to meet them at the Merry Trading Company, as we had contacted them the previous day.

"Hey, hey, Fallen Dark Village Chief! What happened after all? That thing about summoning Minotaurs near the city?"

"Hey, Natsuki, don't call me 'Fallen Dark'! At that time, I was just getting a little carried away..."

"You were planning to conquer dungeons and summon Minotaurs, weren't you? I'm pretty sure you said something like, 'My dark side might... grr, be hard to control,' right?"

Indeed, yesterday, I had inadvertently blurted out something like that. "If we accept refugees fleeing from the city, we can steadily increase the village population. This way, we can accumulate points quickly!" I had said...

"I just thought of that as a possible method... It was just a passing thought, and I don't really intend to do it."

"Hmm. Then what about 'I will become the king of the world. Could it be that I'm the Demon Lord?' What was that about, Demon Lord Village Chief?"

"My head... Please, stop it... I drank a bit too much yesterday, and I was acting strange."

"Well, well, Natsuki-chan, let's leave it at that. He might end up falling into a different kind of darkness later, and I'm sure Keisuke, the Demon Lord, is reflecting on it."

"Even you Tsubaki... Both of you, please, let's keep yesterday's events a secret from the others. Please, I beg you."

While Natsuki and Tsubaki burst into laughter, we arrived in the city, maneuvering the carriage.

When we explained that we were from the Merry Trading Company, the city gatekeeper let us through with a smile. Of course, we had distributed sweet potatoes under the guise of disposal goods.

We arrived at the Merry Trading Company without any detours, while enjoying the bustling cityscape as usual.

"Merinard, it's been a while. We might be a bit late from the planned time, my apologies."

"No, no, I'm glad you arrived safely. Hayato-san and the others have also just arrived. They're in the guest room, so please feel free to join them."

"We're intruding then! Excuse us."

We followed Merinard's welcome and headed to the company's guest room. It seemed that Urgan and Uruk were already waiting there.

It had been three months since we last met Hayato and the others, so I was looking forward to seeing how much they had grown. There had been various incidents, but I had heard they were doing quite well, so I wasn't too worried.

When we climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, Hayato was standing in front of the door. Apparently, he had seen us coming from the window. Later, he would mention that he couldn't wait and had come out of the room to meet us.

"Keisuke-san! It's been a while!"

"Hey, Hayato, you look well. —Your atmosphere has changed quite a bit, hasn't it? You must have been through a lot more."

"Yeah, well, quite a few things happened. Keisuke-san, haven't you become even younger since then?"

"Oh, actually, I have. I found out that the village's blessings have such an effect. I can maintain this youth, although my lifespan remains the same."

"That's amazing... Oh, sorry, Meriaard-san. We'll go back to the room. My apologies."

"It's been a while since you've seen each other, so please chat freely today. We'll prepare dinner as well, so enjoy your conversation."

After saying that, Merinard left, leaving Urgan and Uruk to stand outside the door. He said he had something to do and he also added that if we needed anything, we should call the escorts.

"Nice to meet you again after a long time."

"I'm happy to see you too. You both look lively. Tsubaki and Natsuki, you should ask them about the city and share information about the village."

"Village Chief, can we go out into the city? We'd like you to tell us about the shops and have a leisurely conversation while shopping!"

"If it's okay with Tachibana-tan and Hazuki-tan, then sure. However, the two escorts will come with you."

When I said that, Tachibana and Hazuki hesitated for a moment but quickly returned to their smiling faces, and we all headed out together. With Urgan and Uruk, who were like S-rank adventurers, and even the Sword Saint and Saint in our group, there was nothing to worry about. We also had the 'Barrier Necklace,' so there should be no issues.

"Hey, Hayato, about the expressions you both showed earlier. Was that because of the usual interference?"

"Yes, that's right. I've gotten used to it, but there are still quite a few shops that refuse to serve us."

Ever since the Heroes came to the town, I've been hearing from Merinard that they have been continuously subjected to insidious acts of interference.

"Especially those affiliated with the Japan Trading Company, right? And I heard you've been treated unfairly at the guild too."

"We can't accept appropriate quests, and we've been cheated out of our earnings."

"And you're aware that it's because of Ryuunosuke’s influence, right?"

"Yes. It's so blatant that anyone can see it when it's done so openly. Other adventurers also pretend not to notice. Well, there's nothing we can do about it."

"You can't go against the guild, huh... —Even so, you're doing your best, Hayato, seriously."

"For now, I have to go to the dungeon to become stronger, and I have to register as an adventurer for that... Well, I'll figure something out."

It seemed that only adventurers could enter the dungeon, and access to floors beyond the 16th was prohibited. Since the outbreak of the orcs, there had been a decree from the council, strictly regulating access to all dungeons. 

"It's been a while since the orcs appeared, and it seems like you know the cause even in the Beastmen Territory."

"That's why it's difficult to level up..."

"It feels like you're stuck in a rut... Hey, Hayato, this is just between us. What if I told you that you could go to a dungeon with Minotaurs or even stronger monsters?"

"Huh!? Really? If there's such a place, I'd definitely want to go! But where in the world is such a place..."

"The thing is... it's in our village. Oh, by the way, only the villagers know about this, so please keep it a secret."

It might have been a somewhat forced lead-in, but Hayato didn't mind at all. His reaction was excellent; his eyes were still gleaming.

"Do the villagers hunt there?"

"Yeah, they hunt there every day. Many of them are already over level 60."

"Oh, right, Tōuya-kun! What level is he at? Please tell me!"

Hayato and Tōuya had become quite close, almost like rivals. Naturally, they were interested in each other's growth.

Afterwards, I explained everyone's levels, the monsters they were hunting, and the dungeon within the ruins. I had come here with the intention of inviting the villagers. I also honestly explained the village's characteristics, my own skills, and the results of copying the skills of Hayato and his friends.

The village's abilities will be enhanced by having Unique Skill holders join, and I can also copy the skills of those three. I was worried about getting involved in troublesome situations when the hero's harem was larger. But now it's just Tachibana and Hazuki, so I don't think there will be any issues. There don't seem to be any signs of adding more...

"Oh, speaking of that..."

"Hm? Are you talking about the harem?"

"It's not a harem anymore! I've married the two of them. We genuinely love each other, so please be understanding in that regard."

"Seriously? You really did it..."

"Come on, can't you at least say congratulations? 'You really did it' is a bit harsh, isn't it?"

"Oh, sorry... I guess my true feelings slipped out. Well, congratulations, Hayato, I sincerely wish you all the best."

"That’s a complete lie! Well, whatever... By the way, I'll ask while I'm at it."

It seemed there was still something he wanted to say.

"We expected something like this would happen to us eventually. Did you intentionally lead us to become villagers? Did you manipulate us into this?"

"Yeah, it was pretty much as I expected, except for the dungeon-related part."

"I see... It was all in the palm of your hand, Keisuke-san. It's strange, but I don't feel bad about it."

"That's because it's natural. After all, you chose this path yourselves. This decision today is the same; it's all your responsibility."

"I can't argue with that."

"But since you're now villagers... and now that you know everything, I won't let you go! You'll contribute to me and the village."

"Of course. I've been grateful for meeting you, then and now."

"All right, shall we get to the main topic after a long time?"

"The main topic?"

"First, I want to hear all about the hero's popularity in the city, including any infidelity details! I want it in detail!"

"You're going back to that topic again? But seriously, I haven't done anything like that. Don't say weird things in front of them, please!"

"Alright, alright. So, what else?"

"Well... let me see."

After that, they continued their lively conversation while waiting for the women to return, joking and discussing various topics.

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