Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 393: [Berserker] in Action [With an Announcement]

　Tauro realized that the five travelers accompanying the Eichton Trading Company were bandits. The lone traveler who had joined Zenyu’s bridal escort also moved to their side.

　So our procession was one of their targets from the beginning.

　Having understood the situation, Tauro used [Abnormal Status Recovery] on Ankh.

“Sorry, Leader. They coated the wooden cups with some kind of paralytic drug.”

　Ankh apologized for falling into the trap.

“I was fooled as well, so I can hardly blame you.”

　“Tauro-sama, I can treat everyone else too,” Zion said, preparing to use recovery magic on the unconscious travelers.

“Not yet, Zion. We can help them afterward. Right now, we have a more immediate problem.”

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　Tauro pointed toward the forest, where a rising cloud of dust was rapidly approaching.

　“Approximately thirty riders,” Ragune estimated.

　“Why isn’t my special paralytic working on you?!” shouted the apparent leader of the five infiltrators. “You did give it to them, didn’t you?”

　“The boy refused to drink, so I made up an excuse and got him to lick the cup!” one of his men answered nervously.

　“We have resistance to abnormal conditions,” Tauro said. “Your subordinate did what you ordered. It isn’t his fault.”

“R-resistance? I’ve never heard of anyone completely resisting that drug!”

“Neither have I. Apparently, the life I’ve lived has made me unusually tolerant.”

　Tauro’s tone made it impossible to tell whether he was joking. Ragune and Zion had also resisted the drug, while Ankh’s reaction had been comparatively normal.

　“For the record, Leader, I have some resistance to paralytic drugs too,” Ankh protested. “If it still knocked me out, then that mixture must have been extremely potent.”

　“Exactly! You other three are the abnormal ones!” the bandit leader agreed.

　Don’t start sympathizing with Ankh.

　While Tauro silently retorted, roughly thirty mounted bandits reached the hill.

　“Listen up!” the leader shouted. “The drug failed on four of them, but everything else went according to plan. Take them down, seize the valuables, and then we leave!”

　The lone traveler who had infiltrated Zenyu’s escort hurried to the bandit chief.

　“Boss! That boy has [Magic Storage]. The village chief entrusted all the valuables to him, so keep him alive until he gives us everything!”

　“You should have told me that first. Don’t kill the brat. We’ll torture him until he empties his storage.”

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　The bandit chief no longer attempted to hide his murderous nature.

　“I won’t let you torture Tauro-sama!” Zion shouted, stepping forward in fury.

“Kill the hooded brat. Tie up everyone still paralyzed—we can sell them later. Get moving!”

　The mounted bandits dismounted, drew their weapons, and advanced.

　“With this many, we don’t have the luxury of holding back, Leader,” Ankh said.

　“I agree,” Ragune added.

　“Then I’ll fight in your place this time!” Zion declared, moving ahead of them.

　Zion specialized in unarmed combat. Unlike swords, spears, or arrows, her fists gave her at least some ability to control whether an opponent survived. Even so, the enemy’s numbers were overwhelming.

　“We can’t leave Zion to fight alone,” Tauro decided. “Some casualties may be unavoidable. These people chose banditry, and those who survive will face execution anyway.”

　“I’ve had enough of listening to you!” the bandit chief shouted. “There are only two children among them. Show those brats how frightening adults can be!”

“Yeah!”

　The bandits rushed Zion at once.

　Realizing the danger, Ragune and Ankh moved to flank her, but Zion charged ahead without hesitation.

　“Idiot! Don’t rush in alone!” Ankh shouted.

　Zion plunged into the mass of bandits and vanished from sight.

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　An instant later, the surrounding men were blasted outward as though an explosion had erupted among them.

　At the center of the newly opened circle stood not the small hooded girl, but an enormous black cat wrapped in dark mist.

　“Ah… She activated [Berserker],” Tauro said.

　The transformed Zion attacked before the stunned bandits could recover. Every sweep of a paw or strike of her body sent another opponent flying and left them unable to continue fighting.

　“Leader,” Ankh said, staring in disbelief, “is that what you call holding back?”

“For now, let’s stay far enough away that she doesn’t catch us in the attack.”

　Tauro pulled Ragune and Ankh back.

　The bandits lost so many people so quickly that they forgot to flee. The battle ended before most of them fully understood what had happened.

　“That’s enough, Zion!” Tauro called.

　Zion stopped immediately. Her fist halted just before the bandit chief’s face, but the man had already fainted and wet himself.

　“Zion’s [Berserker] is incredible,” Ankh said, patting her head after she returned to her normal form.

　“Maintaining any control while berserk is remarkable,” Ragune added. “Do you remember what happened?”

　“Yes. I remember everything,” Zion answered. “I became confused by my anger and excitement, but the moment I heard Tauro-sama’s voice, I felt as though my feet had returned to the ground.”

　Her enormous black-cat form had already withdrawn beneath the shape-changing mist, leaving her in her usual hooded appearance.

　“[Berserker] is extraordinarily powerful,” Tauro warned, “but until you can control it more reliably, don’t activate it unless I’m nearby.”

　Zion nodded.

　Tauro and the others tied up the bandits, disarmed them, and treated those whose injuries required immediate attention.

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Thank you very much for reading this far.

The cover of the print edition, including its dust jacket, has finally been revealed. I posted it in my activity notes, so please take a look if you’re interested.