Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 8: Nineteenth Day of Imprisonment, and then
Nineteen days have passed since I was confined. Since I started entering the Spirit Realm from the tenth day, the number of days I experienced through meditation training feels even longer.
“That makes 207 days. Because I hardly spent any time in the present world, I was able to accumulate many days.”
“It’s been that long… it still feels like you only got here yesterday.”
The teacher said that the mind and body become synchronized, but my hair had grown quite a bit. Even if I tie it back, it swings around like a tail, so I tie it up like I did when I was at the royal palace.
“Compared to when you first came here, your face has changed.”
“Are you saying I look more like a swordsman? I’m glad to hear that.”
“You were called ‘Princess of white radiance’ and were expected to have a bright future. If only you had been able to summon a holy sword instead of me…”
(“Expected to have a bright future”… I suppose he was told that people had some expectations of me……, or something.)
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I had told the teacher a little about my time when I was a princess, but I had only jokingly mentioned the nickname I had. So, hearing it again makes me feel a bit embarrassed.
“That’s not like you, Master. You said you wanted to prove those people who didn’t understand your value wrong, didn’t you?”
“…Hmm, I see you remember well. It even feels so ‘long ago’ to me?”
“Even you, who has lived hundreds of years, probably feel like it’s just been 200 days.”
We’ve only had the chance to talk properly like this a few times before, so it feels like time is passing slowly – but
Looking at the teacher’s demeanor, I can tell that something is different from yesterday.
“…You are lacking something in order to advance to the next level of proficiency in using me. You need to gain experience outside of the Spirit Realm, not just inside.”
“Is that so… I suppose. To tell you the truth, even during the game, I was told that just using it all the time wouldn’t be enough, and there were conditions for awakening.”
To raise proficiency, it’s necessary to equip yourself, gain experience points, and meet the “Awakening Conditions.”
I believe I have enough experience points. What I’m missing is the ‘Awakening Condition’ for the ‘Training Wooden Sword’ —winning a set number of matches using only the wooden sword.
“You have to win in real combat… That’s what it comes down to. I’m sure of it.”
“When you return to the real world, I won’t be able to move freely like I can here in the Spirit Realm. You’ll have to do it alone.”
A sense of frustration flickered across the teacher’s face. I’d never seen him like that before, so I was at a loss for words.
“…You can tell what’s happening outside, Master?”
“I can sense what’s going to happen before it does… call it a sixth sense. When I was human, I relied on this kind of intuition to survive.”
“I’ll try to make use of everything I’ve learned so far and do my best. So…”
“…What is it?”
I hesitated, worried about whether I’d be scolded, but I wanted to be honest with him.
“Can I come back here again? I still have a lot I want to learn.”
The teacher said nothing. As expected, leaving the Spirit Realm like this probably means my training has come to an end.
“…If you’re not tired of it, then anytime. Live boldly, Ashrina.”
“Yes. I’ll go now.”
“squeak.”
Just as I was about to leave, the mouse— Riku (that’s what the teacher named it)—climbed onto my shoulder.
“This one has changed quite a bit too, huh? In this world, animals sometimes change form as they grow stronger.”
“ it’s more like a kind of squirrel than a mouse, isn’t it? Since we trained together, it might be of some help…”
When the teacher held out his finger, Riku grabbed it with its tiny paw. It was truly clever, it doesn’t bite randomly, and it listens well to what I say—even in the real world.
“Well, then, you should really go this time. It’s been a long time since I was used as a weapon in the real world… and to be honest, I’m excited.”
“Hahaha… I’ll make sure I use you properly so I don’t get scolded, okay?”
I then broke my meditation. It’s early afternoon right now—and the food that is usually brought to me through the window in the door has not been served today.
However, only a tray has been left there. I calmly accept the items placed on it more calmer than I had expected.
(A letter… and a key.)
The key is to unlock the shackles. And the letter—
“To Her Royal Highness, Princess.”
It’s probably written by Reis-san. Neat characters were written with a quill on parchment.
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“Do you remember that I told you the other day that the soldiers in this castle acted on the orders of a noble?”
“That noble is the lord of this area, His name is Count Vandel.”
“Because I serve a different master than the other soldiers, it took some time for me to learn what they are up to.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what feelings drove Reis-san to write the following words.
“Count Vandel is trying to take custody of you.”
“The royal bloodline’s Celestial Summoning Power, Cortia, is, I fear, embedded within their blood. Crystals made from that blood become red Celestial Stones, which can be used as a price in summoning.”
“Moreover, they are trying to frame someone else for the crime of kidnapping Her Royal Highness.”
Just conveying that fact would’ve been enough. But Reis-san had been trying to warn me for a long time.
—Princess Ashrina. If you stay here like this…
Reis-san had always tried to be on my side, but I didn’t think that meant he would take risks for me.
(…Why go to such lengths?)
The cell should be locked from the outside—yet the lock was undone. When I put my hands on the iron door and pushed with force, it slowly swung open.
Since coming to this old castle, I had only gone outside out of necessity, unable to escape because of the shackles.
It was the freedom I had longed for. Yet, my heart feels empty.
“I must stop Zephen. I will not let you fall into his hands, princess.”
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“After you remove the shackles and read this letter, please open the door and run. I have asked someone to hide you. I will draw down a map of the place.”
“Please stay safe. I apologize for my rudeness and for not being able to take you to a safe place.”
I wonder what Reis-san was thinking when he was here. I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been there while I was focused on my training.
—Reis-san saved my life. Abandoning him and escaping would be meaningless even if it meant I could be free.
“Riku, I’m about to do something a little crude, is that okay?”
Riku, perched on my shoulder, looks at me with his big, round eyes and makes a motion as if he is nodding.
“Thank you. I need to find Reis-san… Ah…”
Riku jumps down from my shoulder and took off running at incredible speed—almost as if it knew where Reis-san was.
I begin to chase after Riku. Passing through labyrinth-like corridors, I step outside the old castle—there’s no time to be moved by the dazzling light.
(There’s something burning… that’s a nearby village…!)
Gray smoke rises into the sky. I ran with all my might, praying that I would make it in time.