Kays Translations

Chapter 181: The Guardians of Avalushi

Seven days after Isamu and his team met with Liliene, a total of seventeen members—including pilot candidates Julius, Drexler, Elis, and two members from the Bisseling family—set out toward Balshan to meet with Greg, the guardian of Avalushi, and his grandson.

The day before, a magic vehicle equipped with a magic pathway measuring device had departed from the Zabadak Border Margrave residence in the north to select additional pilot candidates. After completing their measurements, they planned to head to the Eriksen Count’s territory to select more candidates there as well.

By the way, it was said that the guardian would bring measuring equipment to the Balshan Border Margrave territory, so inspections were scheduled in conjunction with the neighboring Margrave Innocenti’s Border territory.

This time, the magic vehicle lineup included the usual Black Kat, a cargo magic vehicle, a bath magic vehicle, another cargo magic vehicle, and a newly prototyped towing magic vehicle, making a total of five vehicles.

Considering the situation, they decided to avoid the shortest route that passed through the territory of Count Discaf, who had agreed to the emergency summons from the Yardelude faction, and instead took a northern route through the territory of Count Kalenberg on their way to Balshan.

“Yeah, this carrier type works just fine. In fact, it’s a bit scary how fast it can go when it’s empty; I have to be careful to keep the speed down.” 

Isamu said while driving the newly constructed towing magic vehicle.

Originally designed to transport heavy loads, including magic giant golems, the power vehicle part had been lightweight and compact. Although they had a significant amount of cargo loaded, it was still far less than the weight of a magic giant golem, so if he relaxed his focus, the speed would increase rapidly.

“If it can go this fast when it’s light, maybe I should try making a two-wheeled version to replace horses.” he mused. 

Unlike four-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled ones wouldn’t have to deal with the differences in distance traveled by the inner and outer wheels when cornering at higher speeds, so as long as there was enough tire grip, they could increase speed more easily. 

If it could replace horses, they might also be able to use existing carriages, and the benefit of further increasing movement speed would be significant. He thought he’d prototype a two-wheeled magic vehicle if he had time, while driving the towing magic vehicle.

On the fourth day after leaving Klaufendam, they finally reached Balshan. 

“It feels like I’ve been coming to Balshan regularly.” 

Anne-Marie remarked with a wry smile as she passed through the gate, recalling their initial visit when they had been regarded with suspicion.

“Yeah, we’ve been mainly operating around Balshan and the Balsham Border Margrave’s territory lately.” 

Isamu replied, sharing in her wry smile.

Since their pilgrimage began—with the initial wyvern attack leading to the magic giant golem incident and now up to the present—Isamu and his group had been shuttling back and forth between the Balsham Border Margrave’s territory and elsewhere.

“Remarkable, the true descendants of Avalushi have come to this town…” 

Margrave Lubindah Balsham exclaimed upon hearing the circumstances leading to this moment.

“It seems that the family that has been protecting the very machine used by Abel, the founder of the second generation of Avalushi, is staying at an inn called the Sand’s Radiance. I was thinking of visiting them as soon as tomorrow.” 

Isamu explained.

“Hm, the Sand’s Radiance… Hamad, I believe there is a VIP room there?” 

Lubindah asked Hamad, his steward.

“Yes, it’s a large inn, so they do have a special wing for nobility with a VIP room.” 

Hamad replied.

“Starting tomorrow… let’s reserve the VIP room for a week, shall we?” 

“Understood. I will arrange it immediately.” 

Hamad said, bowing before exiting.

“Since it’s a rare occasion, I would like to meet them as well.” 

Lubindah added.

“Of course. Would it be alright if we meet first and then take you to the VIP room?” 

“Ah, yes. It may be a bit of trouble, but I’ll count on you for this. I can’t exactly visit a tavern or dining hall myself…” 

“Haha, it would certainly cause quite a commotion if the lord showed up!” 

Lubindah chuckled, and Isamu responded with a smile.

—

The next day, around 10 a.m., Isamu, Anne-Marie, Felix, and Marcela visited the Sand’s Radiance. 

The day before, they had left a letter from Liliene, intended for the inn’s owner, using a sealed letter that was exchanged between Liliene and Greg. 

This method of communication was the most common for adventurers who often stayed long-term at an inn. 

Of course, the sender’s name was a pseudonym, and the content was disguised as a coded message that appeared to provide information about monsters to the adventurers.

“Wasn’t the sign a red cloth wrapped around the right hand?” 

Annemarie asked Isamu in a low voice as they entered the inn’s dining and tavern area on the first floor. 

“Yeah. And we’ll be using black cloth tied around our waists as our mark.”

Each of the four had a handkerchief-sized piece of black cloth tied to their belts.

Felix scanned the room and then gestured discreetly to Isamu.

“Lord Isamu, I believe those two in the back are them…” 

Following Felix’s gaze, Isamu saw an elderly man with white hair and beard wearing loose, robe-like clothing, with a red cloth tied around his hand. 

Next to him sat a young woman clad in leather armor, also with a red cloth wrapped around her right wrist. 

Confirming their identities, Isamu nodded slightly, and the four approached the table with somewhat anxious expressions.

Noticing the approaching presence, the elderly man with white hair looked up.

“Excuse me. You must be Mr. Grey, correct?”

Felix asked politely, bowing slightly to the old man. “Grey” was the alias Greg was using.

“Hmm, indeed I am Grey. What business might you have with me?”

Greg glanced briefly at Felix’s waist before responding.

“We heard that you have information regarding a special type of ogre. May we speak with you?”

“Foh, foh, foh, I see, I see. Of course, I don’t mind at all. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

After this brief exchange, Yu and the others took their seats. This was all part of their prearranged plan.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Isa, and this is my fiancée, Marie, along with our guards, Ryux and Sela.”

Yu introduced himself, using an alias as a precaution.

“Oh, how polite of you. I am Grey, and this is my granddaughter, Sari.”

Greg introduced the young woman sitting next to him, and both of them gave a slight bow.

“I’m sorry to ask so soon, but could we move to a more private place to talk? We have some delicate matters to discuss…”

“… Yes, yes, of course, I don’t mind.”

Greg responded with a smile to Yu’s request.

“Thank you. We’ve reserved a room here at the inn, so please follow us. Marie, could you take care of that?”

“Certainly.”

Ann-Marie and Marcela stood up first and headed towards the front desk of the inn. After exchanging a few words, a well-dressed, elderly butler-like man emerged from the back.

Seeing this, Yu stood up as well.

“It seems the preparations are complete. Shall we go?”

The group followed the elderly man, who guided them through a beautiful courtyard towards a VIP room in a separate building.

Greg, understanding where they were heading, merely raised an eyebrow briefly, but Sari seemed to become a bit restless.

After walking for about three minutes, the elderly man stopped in front of a large set of double doors.

“Your guests have already arrived.”

He informed Yu and the others before knocking on the door three times.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Limone, the manager. I’ve brought your guests.”

“Thank you for your efforts. Please, come in.”

“Excuse us,” Limone said as he opened the door.

After a quick identity check, the door was opened and we entered, into the anteroom leading to the VIP room.

There was another large door further inside, flanked on both sides by armed knights.

“Well then, I will excuse myself here.”

Once everyone had entered, the manager bowed deeply and left the room.

As the door closed, the man inside the room called out.

“Lord Isamu, thank you for coming all the way here. I’m also sorry for causing trouble to Lord Greg and Lady Sarah. Please forgive my lord’s selfishness.”

The man – Hamad, the steward, said this and bowed his head.

“Oh no, we have no problem at all. Greg-san—ah, I guess we don’t need to use the alias anymore, right? Sorry for the sudden change.”

Isamu bowed to Greg with a wry smile.

“Fo-fo, I was a bit surprised… but I’m glad it was easy to talk to you.”

Perhaps due to his years of experience, Greg has a calm demeanor.

“Grandpa… No matter how you look at it, aren’t you a nobleman?”

Meanwhile, his granddaughter Sarah is flustered when she is shown to a room that is clearly for nobles, and higher-ranking nobles at that.

“I’m sorry, Sarah. Lubindah-sama insisted on wanting to meet you.”

“Hey, Isamu, I can hear you! Don’t just stand there, come on in already!”

As they were chatting in the anteroom, a voice called from beyond the door.

“Ahaha, my apologies. Let’s go in.” 

Isamuu replied.

“Wait? Lubindah-sama? Could it be…?? Huh?” 

Sarah was taken aback by the name of someone she recognized, and as Isamu approached the inner door with a laugh, the knights on either side acknowledged him with a bow and opened the door.

—

“Well, well? So, the Greg family has been protecting Abel’s magic giant golem for nearly a thousand years?” 

“Hoho, indeed. We haven’t been glued to it the whole time, so I’m glad we haven’t become hermits.” 

Greg chuckled.

“However, I had no idea such a place was so close to my territory. It’s quite surprising…” 

About five minutes after entering the VIP room, they finished their introductions using their real names and began to engage in pleasant conversation.

Greg, who was older, was initially taken aback to learn that he was speaking with the lord himself, but he quickly warmed up and started chatting with Lubindah like old friends over tea.

Sarah almost fainted upon hearing the word “lord,” and even after managing to hold it together, she was completely frozen in shock.

“Ahhh, maybe introducing her to the lord right away wasn’t the best idea…” 

Isamu muttered as he scratched his head.

Coming from a world without nobility, it was understandable that he still had a bit of a disconnect when it came to dealing with them.

“Oh, that’s right. Marcella, could you bring out the princess?”

“Got it,” Marcella said, opening the large bag she had brought along.

Inside, comfortably curled up on soft padding, Orihime was peacefully sleeping.

“Nyaa~?”

Noticing the sudden brightness, Orihime opened one eye and tilted her head slightly.

“Come here, Hime.”

“Nyaa,” she responded.

As Isamu picked up the entire bag, Orihime gave a big stretch before hopping onto his shoulder. Then, as part of her usual waking-up routine, she started grooming her face with her paws.

“This is my cat, or what you might call a ‘cato,’ Orihime,” 

Isamu introduced the feline to Sarah.

“Nyaa,” Orihime meowed once as if in response, pausing her grooming.

“Amazing! Isamu, does your cato understand words?” 

Sarah exclaimed, breaking free from her frozen state, her eyes wide with astonishment.

“Nyaa.”

This time, Orihime leaped from Isamu’s shoulder onto Sarah’s, gently rubbing her cheek against Sarah’s face.

“Wow… so soft… She’s a bit different from my Lucy’s texture.” 

Sarah murmured, gently stroking Orihime’s neck.

As someone familiar with cats, Sarah’s touch was practiced, and Orihime purred happily in response.

“Haha, Orihime’s fur is especially luxurious, even among cats. She’s incredibly fluffy.”

The breed, British Shorthair, despite being a short-haired variety, is known for its dense, plush coat, often compared to velvet or fine carpets for its luxurious feel.

“Is that so…? My Lucy feels more silky.”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

“I’ve kept her in the hanger for now so she doesn’t attract too much attention, but I’ll introduce you when we go there!”

“Hanger?” 

Annemarie tilted her head at the unfamiliar word.

“Ah, she probably means a storage ‘hanger.’ It’s likely a word passed down from Abel’s country.”

“Amazing! Isamu, you understand the language of the Great Boss’s country? And you’ve brought a cato too! You really did come from the same world as the Great Boss.” 

Sarah said, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Isamu.

According to Liliane, Sara should be about the same age as Annemarie, but her demeanor made her seem a bit younger, perhaps due to growing up in a less formal environment.

“Hohoho, I apologize, Matsumoto-dono. Sarah holds the big boss in very high regard.” 

Greg said, as he seemed to have wrapped up his conversation with Lubindah.

“Ah. I see.” 

“Yes. He is a hero who used the magic giant golem to establish the nation and helped the weak.”

“Of course! The power left by the big boss of Avalushi must be used for the weak. But those elders…”

At Greg’s words, Sarah bit her lip in frustration.

“Hm. It seems that the division within Avalushi is indeed true.” 

“It’s quite an embarrassing situation… If it were to completely split apart, it would be irreparable, so Lady Liliene is somehow keeping it under control.” 

He said, shaking his head sadly.

“I’ve heard a rough outline from Isamu, and those Zun guys mocked our faction. I’ll lend my humble support.” 

“Thank you very much, Lubindah,” 

After about an hour of exchanging personal stories and discussing how Abel once lived in America at Sarah’s request, the meeting concluded, then Isamu and the others borrowed the mana pass measuring device from Greg.

Upon returning to Lubindah’s mansion, an examination of the mana pass was promptly conducted for the knights and soldiers. Two candidates were to be selected.

As a result of the assessment, it turned out that the maximum value of 6 was reached by exactly two individuals, allowing them to be chosen as pilot candidates. One of them was Laurel, the son of Larem, the former commander of the knight order who served as Lubindah’s aide.

Incidentally, Lubindah had a value of 4 and was feeling disappointed, but the chamberlain, Hamad, scolded him, saying that no matter how high the value, he would not be selected as a pilot.

The next day, they once again gathered in the VIP room to finalize the method of transportation to the hangar.

It appeared that there was a side road camouflaged in two stages by a magic tool that interfered with recognition, lying among the rocky mountains along the border with Zun, which would lead them to the location of the hangar.

This area resembled a small settlement known as the Guardian’s Village.

To ensure safety in case of discovery, the hanger was located further underground in that village.

Since it was about a four-day journey from Balshan by carriage, they could likely reach it in two days with the magic vehicle.

The day was spent preparing, and on the following day, the group, including Greg, left the town of Balshan.

“This is… Even knowing there’s a mechanism here, I can’t distinguish anything at all.” 

Isamu remarked in the early afternoon of the day after leaving Balshan, as they arrived at the location said to be camouflaged by a magic tool.

They had veered off the main road earlier that morning, and after coming this far, they found themselves at a seemingly ordinary rocky mountain cliff with no distinguishing features.

“To pass through here, one must possess a registered magic power pattern and speak the password while touching the magic tool.” 

Greg explained after getting out of the magic vehicle and carefully inspecting the surroundings. He then touched an unremarkable rock wall and murmured:

“Donranaweydronranaway.”

“Wait, what??” 

Upon hearing this, Isamu inadvertently let out a confused exclamation.

“What’s wrong?” 

Annemarie asked, looking at him curiously.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just a bit surprised because that’s also a word from Abel’s country. I think it means ‘don’t run away’,” 

Isamu replied with a wry smile.

(Abel… Did you really have to throw that in here?)

Although there was no visible change to the cliff after Greg spoke the password, an opening wide enough for two carriages had now appeared.

“Wow, this is amazing… It can switch between holograms and reality!?” 

Isamu exclaimed in astonishment at the impressive technology.

“I’d like to see the magic circle later.” 

Eto murmured next to him.

“Yes. If we can read it, it could lead to an incredible discovery, and even if we can’t, if it can project everything, it will be tremendously useful.” 

Isamu agreed, excitedly nodding. A hologram so lifelike that it could be mistaken for reality was something not even seen on Earth in the 21st century.

Though it was unclear what could be replicated, if it could be utilized, its value would be immeasurable.

Determined to ask if they could see the magic circle at some point, they pressed further into the depths.

After about five more minutes of progressing through a narrow tunnel, they once again used the password to deactivate the same magic tool, and the tunnel began to slope gently downward.

It seemed that after descending about 100 meters, they would reach the tunnel’s exit, as they could see sunlight streaming in.

As they slowly walked down the slope and emerged from the tunnel, their vision opened up dramatically.

“Here we are. Welcome to the Guardian’s Village!” 

Greg said cheerfully.

“W-What is this…?” 

Isamu couldn’t help but gasp in awe at the scenery that unfolded before his eyes.

—What lay before them was a street that looked like a set from a Western film.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter