Kays Translations

Chapter 38: The Sermon

As all the remaining snow in the unexplored regions melted and the pioneer city began to settle down a bit, Rolo and I made our way to the “Deep Monitoring Outpost.”

We were there to assess the exact extent of the damage and to devise a development plan for this area.

“It doesn’t seem too devastated. It might be usable as it is.”

“Yeah. We’ll need reinforcement for the barrier and the walls. Also, we might need watchtowers.”

“True. They could be necessary for spotting any abnormalities in the forest.”

While walking around the Deep Monitoring Outpost, we checked off the items on our list. Many adventurers would soon attempt to conquer the nearby dungeon. Therefore, we needed to develop this place into a safe camping ground for them.

…To prevent the next “culling.”

According to what Saran and Rolo mentioned about the “Dungeon Origin Theory,” it seemed they were half right. According to the astute and sly bespectacled one’s speculation, the “Silver Equilateral Triangle” had stored some sort of power like the blood of a labyrinth dungeon within itself, prompting its own awakening… and then sent its terminal to the surface.

That’s right, it’s about the “Beasts of the End,” such as Albert’s monster and the “Scarred Beast,” that unfortunately shifted their focus to killing humans, whether because they were too strong-willed or because they couldn’t communicate with humans properly. However, the goal of the god from the other world was erosion through adaptation—essentially, rewriting the rules of the world.

As someone who had touched the essence of the “culling,” I understood what that meant. In essence, it was like a competition for survival… the essence of the power known as the “culling” was about different worlds imposing their existence on each other.

And so, the “Silver Equilateral Triangle” still existed in this land. This entire unexplored area was exactly that.

It seemed that the previous generation of heroes had dealt with things quite roughly; it appeared they had somehow changed the otherworldly god and integrated it into this place. In other words, they had managed to reduce the “culling,” which had descended from the other world as a disaster, to a state where it could be “conquered.”

The immediate goal was to control the flow of power into the dungeon in this area with the cooperation of adventurers. In other words, to weaken the power to the extent that the god couldn’t cause mischief anymore. It was also in line with the development plan for the “pioneer city,” so it was just right.

The final solution would not be known until we reached the depths of the dungeon. There was a good chance that the main body of the “Silver Equilateral Triangle” was lurking deep within this vast dungeon. In other words, we, “Mercia,” would also need to delve into the dungeon.

“By the way, are you getting along with Fimia?”

“Why are you asking that now…”

As I was thinking about serious matters, Rolo’s words suddenly brought the face of the saint to mind. I shook my head lightly to clear my mind of distractions and then let out a small sigh.

“We’re getting along fine, if you must know. But there are some issues.”

“Such as?”

“Like sneaking into my room.”

Upon hearing my words, Rolo burst out laughing.

It’s not something to laugh about, you know?

“She’s not very proactive. It seems Fimia is finally getting over it.”

“It’s not about that. It’s getting serious.”

“Well, isn’t that fine? If she wants it, why not?”

While jotting down notes on the required materials list, Rolo shrugged his shoulders. Rolo, you… you seem to be enjoying this way too much…!

Half of this misunderstanding is your fault, too.

“Are you concerned about Kati?”

“I’m not sure. Besides, I’ve never been in a romantic relationship.”

“Oh… well, you always see women in terms of your desires.”

Rolo chuckled with a sigh mixed in.

He understands quickly because he knows about all my past failures.

“Hahaha… hahaha, so…! Heaven Breaking Strike Jurg is struggling, huh?”

“Don’t laugh, it’s a real problem.”

While exhaling a particularly heavy sigh, I continued working.

I thought it was a good opportunity to talk about it, even in a place like this, but perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything after all.

“Lately, Kati and Fimia have been hitting it off and both of them are cornering me. The other day, they even… no, let’s not talk about it.”

“I’m listening. You all went to the hot springs together, didn’t you? I heard from Fimia.”

Just how much information has leaked?

And why does Rolo know about such things?

I have a feeling Rolo and Fimia are too close.

“Fimia is worried, too, you know. Because you never make things clear.”

“Make things clear… even if I wanted to, it’s not that simple. She’s a comrade, after all.”

“Maybe she’s more than that, and that’s why she’s troubled?”

Rolo chuckled softly with a troubled look on his face.

There seemed to be something experienced in that expression.

“When it comes to ‘more than that’… isn’t that just like you?”

“Like me!?”

“If we put aside the whole “to have or not to have” thing and the gender thing, you’re the most important thing to me, right?”

With a sigh, Rolo laughed.

Saying this out loud made me feel a bit embarrassed.

But Rolo was my reason for living, and that hadn’t changed even though there were more things to protect now.

“Although I’m happy… that’s not the point, right? We’re equals, like family, aren’t we?”

“It’s your fault for making me feel this way. Deceptive.”

“Sigh, this is why Fimia is struggling… and it’s because of me.”

Rolo, who slumped his shoulders, looked at me sharply.

“Forget about me. Face Fimia properly. It takes courage for a girl to expose herself like that.”

“That’s why I’m troubled! The stakes are too high! I don’t understand that kind of thing!”

“You’re so spineless at strange times. Ugh…”

He sighed.

Even though I was maintaining the status quo after serious consideration.

“What if you just embraced them both at once?”

“Hey, don’t make such a blunt suggestion.”

“I’ll handle the arrangements properly. If you do it now, Saran might be persuaded.”

Rolo raised his index finger and gave me a scary smile.

Somehow, he seemed a little angry.

“You need to explain that you care about both of them, that you’re willing to face them. If you don’t, one of them might withdraw, or you might build a better relationship.”

“But…”

“Jurg, you’ve been self-contained like this and failed before, haven’t you, since you were a kid?”

“G-Grr…!”

With a wry smile, Rolo held my hand.

“You have to talk it out properly. I’ll help too.”

“…I understand.”

“Besides, if you just act on your desires and attack one of them, you’ll end up hating yourself and falling into despair again, right? Let’s resolve this as soon as possible, okay?”

Hit in a sensitive spot, I collapsed to my knees.

Even in the battle against the “culling,” I didn’t kneel.

“When we get back, right away, okay?”

“Yeah…” 

Perhaps, for me, Rolo is the most formidable opponent after all.

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