Kays Translations

Chapter 330: The Secret of “The Black One”

When they broke down the dome made of earth, a flood of water poured out.

And… from within the water, the massive body of a Diamond Bear tumbled out.

The giant bear, drowned to death, bore not a single wound. Its flesh was untouched, and even the crystal-like shining fur was pristine.

The water-soaked Diamond Bear was frozen to preserve it, ensuring the meat would not spoil.

“So… in the end, what were those guys?”

More than the spoils, what weighed on Rest’s mind was the mysterious presence that had spoken to them from deep within the forest moments ago.

Urla had accepted its existence without question, but what exactly was the thing called “The Black One”?

“Hafuu…”

“Don’t ‘hafuu’ me. Come on, snap out of it.”

“Mmm… shame.”

Urla, still in a daze from being held by Rest, eventually returned to her senses and answered his question.

“Kuuma.”

“Kuuma…?”

“Stealth. Lavender.”

“…Huh?”

Most of Urla’s words were vague, but with persistent questioning, Rest was able to piece together enough information.

“So… they’re members of an organization called ‘Kuuma,’ a covert unit serving the Lavender Territory?”

“Yes.”

“And this forest is Kuuma’s base of operations. That’s why it’s a forbidden zone, and anyone who ventures deep inside is killed without question?”

“Yes.”

“…I can’t believe I even got in. So there was a chance I could’ve been killed, huh…”

Rest slumped his shoulders in exasperation.

It had been his idea to ask to enter the forest and hunt a Diamond Bear, but if it was that dangerous, he would’ve liked to know beforehand. Urla, being part of the Lavender Territory, was safe… but Rest could easily have been killed.

“It’s fine. You have the ring.”

“The ring…? You mean this?”

Rest held up the purple ring Urla had given him before entering the forest.

“Yes. Safe.”

“So, as long as I have this, the Kuuma won’t attack me? How does that work?”

What could this ring possibly signify?

Was it really okay for Urla to just give him something like that?

“No problem. Because…”

“We have witnessed your power.”

“…!”

A voice echoed from deep in the forest.

At the same time came that strange, alien presence—something slippery and unpleasant that escaped his Presence Detection.

“You’re…!”

“We acknowledge you as our lord. From here on, we are at your service.”

“…Huh?”

“Call upon us whenever you require our aid…”

With those words, the presence faded.

Only the stunned Rest and the ever-expressionless Urla remained.

“What… was that just now?”

“Good.”

“No, what do you mean ‘good’…”

“You are now the boss of the Lavender Territory. Congratulations.”

“…Excuse me?”

For Urla, it was an unusually long sentence—though still short by normal standards.

Her outrageous statement froze Rest in place.

On the way back, she explained: the ring Rest received was proof of the right to command the Kuuma, the covert unit.

By accepting it, unknowingly, Rest had been recognized as the de facto head of the Lavender Territory.

“How… did it come to this…?”

Before he knew it, the walls were closing in.

The proposal from the current head, Loser Lavender—that Rest take Urla as his wife—was suddenly looking far more real.

“Please take care of me.”

Urla snuggled up beside him, their distance clearly beyond that of mere acquaintances.

She wasn’t just closing the outer walls—she was sealing the inner ones too, her whole body radiating closeness.

“…Let me think about it.”

For some reason speaking in formal language now, Rest said this as he used magic to transport the Diamond Bear’s carcass.

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