Kays Translations

Chapter 13: Ominous Signs

　At Lionel’s command, the knight order charged into the goblin settlement. The sudden appearance of the knights, clad head to toe in heavy armour, plunged the settlement into a state of panic. The knights let none of that opening go to waste, cutting down the goblins one after another.

　I could have simply watched, but since I was here, I decided to attack with magic. In order to survive in this world, there are bound to be times when I have to kill monsters. I thought I needed to get used to it, so that I wouldn’t hesitate to kill when the time came.

“Wind Sword!”

　I severed the carotid artery of a goblin trying to flee the settlement. It made me feel a bit queasy, but no green fluid came spraying out; it simply dissolved into a speck of light. It had probably turned into a magic stone.

“It really is just like the game. They look as though they have solid bodies, and yet they don’t…”

“Lord Julius, is something the matter?”

“No, it’s nothing, Christopher.”

　Christopher had caught my mumbling and asked about it, but he didn’t seem particularly suspicious.

　After I had felled a few more of the goblins trying to escape, the battle was over. It ended more easily than I had expected.

“Well, well. Truly splendid. I never imagined Lord Julius could wield magic so freely.”

“It’s the first time I’ve used it in an actual battle, but I’m glad it went well.”

“It certainly didn’t look like your first time.”

　As expected of Lionel, the Knight Commander. He’s sharp. But he’ll never get to the bottom of it. If he were to ask, “You used it in a game, didn’t you?”, it would be plain that he was tarred with the same brush.

“Commander, the collection of the magic stones is finished.”

“Thank you for your efforts. Now let’s get back before dark.”

　Under Lionel’s instructions, we set off home.

　In the carriage on the way back, I raised with Lionel the thing that had been bothering me.

“I wonder where those goblins came from?”

“From deep in the monster forest, most likely.”

“Then is there a larger settlement deeper in the monster forest? It grew too cramped for them there, so they came out to the fringes looking for somewhere new.”

　I fixed my eyes on Lionel. His own eyes were closed, a furrow between his brows. He had evidently arrived at the same possibility. And that meant trouble.

“That may well be so. What are your orders?”

　Lionel finally opened his eyes and put the question to me with a keen look. At that, Gyre’s and Christopher’s faces went a little pale.

“Father and the others won’t be back for two months. If we wait that long, the situation may well have got worse. Lionel, send a letter to Father. As soon as we have his permission, I’ll commission adventurers to investigate the monster forest.”

　We could use scouts from the knight order, but for the sake of maintaining our relationship with the Adventurers’ Guild it would be better to ask the adventurers. Besides, they know the monster forest well.

“How shall I word it?”

“I insisted on going near the monster forest, and while we were there we sighted several goblins in the area where the monsters had been subjugated. I thought it suspicious and followed them, found a settlement, and destroyed it. There may be more settlements, so I want an investigation. How’s that?”

　If the account had it that they’d been dragged near the monster forest by my selfish insistence, the escorts wouldn’t be reprimanded.

“Won’t that damage Lord Julius’s reputation?”

“I don’t care how far my reputation falls, as long as the harm to my people is kept to a minimum.”

“… I understand. As you command.”

“I’m counting on you, Lionel.”

　Lionel looked distinctly reluctant. I just hope he doesn’t do anything unnecessary… We need to move quickly on this one. If an army of goblins were to descend on a town or village all at once, it would be no laughing matter.

　As soon as we got back to the manor, I planted the mana herb seedlings. Everything had been made ready for this day. I ended up covered in mud, but I managed to finish planting every last seedling before nightfall.

　And then a servant caught sight of the state of me and gave me a telling-off.

　Lionel sent the letter off to Father in the royal capital that same day, it seems. And by the next day he had put in a request with the Adventurers’ Guild to survey the monster forest.

　When I asked what he meant to do about the money, he said Father had entrusted him with a sum he could spend at his own discretion. He had apparently used that to commission the adventurers.

　In that case, wouldn’t it have been just as well to report to Father once the results of the survey were in? No — that would leave us a step behind. Judging a situation accurately is difficult. I wish I had a sharp-witted strategist on hand at a time like this.

　It’ll take at least three days for a letter to come back from the royal capital. On top of that, the survey results from the Adventurers’ Guild may well take longer than three days.

　In the meantime, I’m thinking of making a magic tool. A magic tool for the long-term storage of the magic potion materials we’ve gathered.

“Take this money and buy me an iron sheet. Some magic ink as well.”

“Understood.”

　The servant bowed his head and left the room.

　That should be everything I need. If my knowledge from the game carries over directly, I should be able to seal whatever spell I like into a magic circle drawn in magic ink.

　The drawback is that I have to seal a spell into each magic circle one by one, but in exchange they’re highly versatile. I hope it goes well.

　After all, it’s my first time making a magic tool in this world. I’m a little uneasy.

“Big brotherrr!”

　A voice came through along with a small knocking sound. It’s my little sister, Rosalia. I couldn’t spend any time with her yesterday, so I’ll have to make it up to her properly today. I don’t want my adorable little sister to hate me.

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