Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 32: Another Encounter
I can sense it.
The oppressive feeling that Fimia mentioned is now even more intense.
It’s something akin to rejection, but also carries a will similar to hostility.
“Jurg-san!?”
“Guild Master?”
As I cross the barrier, two adventurers turn back to look at me.
I recognize their faces from before.
“It’s Norton and Coltos.”
“Yeah, we’re following Kati’s instructions to drive away the monsters coming through the entrance route.”
“But there’s something dangerous further in that we couldn’t approach.”
Kati was doing her job properly.
Quite literally, she was putting her body on the line to protect Malhas in my place.
So, my answer is already decided.
“…Leave it to me.”
With just those words to the two, I step into the forest.
Releasing a strong aura of hostility, almost provocatively.
The one who destroyed the guild building seems to be an intelligent monster.
And if that’s the case… it should be well aware of the danger I pose.
Indeed, the discomfort I feel emanating from the depths of the forest is directed at me.
There’s no mistake. “It” recognizes me.
“Come out already…! I’ll crush you!”
Spitting out towards the presence.
Whether it hears or not doesn’t matter. It’s just a declaration of killing.
After causing this much trouble, there’s nothing left to do but fight for our lives.
I mow down attacking monsters, crushing them underfoot as I advance through the forest.
Despite burning with anger, I’m somewhat calm.
Perhaps Kati wanted to leave a good impression until the end, being the good woman she was.
After a while of advancing through the forest, I feel the surroundings unnaturally quiet.
No signs of monsters or animals.
Not even the chirping of birds or the crawling of insects. The rustling of the trees has vanished… leaving only a creepy sense of presence.
It’s similar to what I felt during the encounter with the scarred beast, but this feels even thicker and more discomforting.
Indeed, this must be the presence of the entity that seeks to annihilate us through “culling.”
“…!”
From the depths of the trees, something starts walking towards me.
Footsteps. Walking on all fours… quite large.
Without hiding, I raise my war mace in front of me as it slowly reveals itself.
“What are you…!?”
As expected, I flinched a little at the strangeness of his appearance in front of me.
It was so strange, so horrifying… it was impossible.
“You’ve finally come, Jurg.”
“Albert…!”
Exposed before me is a grotesque beast with a horse-like long neck.
And on its head is the head of a former comrade, speaking human words.
Below the neck is a lion, with boar hind legs, and a tail with branching serpent heads.
Sharp fin-like ridges resembling lizard scales line its back, turning into horn-like protrusions near the tail.
What is this thing?
While it bears some resemblance to the Scarred Beast, everything is different.
It might be a Chimera-like composite creature, but I’ve never seen one with a human head mounted.
“What are you, you bastard…!?”
“As you said earlier, I’m Albert. I’m here.”
“He’s dead. Eaten by the Scarred Beast.”
“That’s right, I’m dead. Because of you guys.”
With a grin twisted into a sneer as it glares at me, the monster speaks.
Ah, this feeling… it’s the same face as the arrogant Albert when he’s in a good mood.
How is a supposedly dead human here in this form?
If anything…
Judging from the mixed presence, it seems it’s using the head left by the Scarred.
Come to think of it, someone or something here—perhaps a deity from another realm—seems to have tried to use intelligent beings.
That makes sense, but it’s just speculation.
“The god, you see, answered me. He gave me life. Power. Authority.”
“Huh?”
“The right to rule over you by devouring you.”
“What are you talking about, you…”
A chilling hostility emanates from the monster.
It’s not human hostility, but the murderous intent accompanied by the appetite of a monster or wild beast.
Well, with such a form, it’s clear it’s not human.
“Fimia, is Fimia here yet? I’m waiting for her.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t wait anymore, so I thought I’d kill your woman to pass the time… Is she properly dead?”
The moment I heard those words, my composure vanished.
Silently, I stepped forward and swung my war mace.
The monster caught it with one hand and laughed.
“You’re still quick to anger, aren’t you? From the looks of it, things went well for you? Where should we go next? That inn? Or maybe the church? How about Rolo Mercia’s house?”
“Just shut up already.”
“We’ve finally met again, so don’t be mean. Ah, that’s right. Let’s call Roro Mercia himself. I guess he’s this way.”
Albert’s head swells and his left eye becomes enlarged.
A monster with a faint blue phosphorescence that moves its face around as if aiming.
Instinctively, I felt that this wasn’t right, so I jumped up and tried to ram him in the head.
“Raa!”
“Ah”
The light that was emitted without a sound burned part of the forest before disappearing into the sky.
It seemed like I made it just in time, but part of my arm was gouged out and blown off.
My left arm is no longer of any use.
“Don’t get in my way, Jurg. I kill Rolo Mercia and get Fimia.”
“Huh…you really are an idiot.”
“I don’t want you to tell me.”
I grinned and raised the corner of my mouth at the monster with Albert’s face frowning.
“Fimia, has become my woman.”
“──Huh?”
“It was soft, wasn’t it? Her skin is amazing. And she cries so loudly when you hold her. I wish I could have let you hear it too.”
“What…what, what…!?”
Although the monster was dismayed, its murderous intent was increasing.
It’s OK. Finally, we can kill each other properly.
“Come on, Albert. Next time, I’ll give you proper guidance.”