Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 8: A Certain Wanted Poster
Clausel had been built over a rounded slope, its roads spiraling upward toward the mansion at the summit. From the Clausel estate, nearly the entire town could be seen.
The Adventurers’ Guild stood near the main gate, where people and goods could enter without climbing far into the town.
As Ren descended, residents who remembered his return with Licia greeted him. A market vendor even pressed an apple-like fruit into his hands. He exchanged friendly words with them until he reached an aged wooden building near the gate.
“So this is it.”
People entering and leaving wore the kind of equipment he associated with fantasy adventures: leather armor, angular pieces made from monster bone, staffs, and travel-stained cloaks.
Some were not human. Elves such as Yelquq, beastlike people, and people bearing reptilian traits were collectively described in Leomel as otherfolk.
Ren opened the heavy wooden door.
The interior resembled the guilds from Legend of the Seven Heroes. Dark wooden flooring had been polished by years of footsteps. Pale fabric covered parts of the walls, and a ceiling fan driven by a magic tool turned overhead. A large request board dominated one side of the hall, while a tavern occupied another.
Conversation quieted as the adults noticed him. Adventurers, robed women, armed men, several otherfolk, and even the receptionist looked his way.
“That is the boy, is it not?”
“Do not stare.”
Ren ignored the whispers and approached the counter.
“I would like to register.”
The ease with which he spoke came from completing the same procedure many times in the games.
“You seem very composed for your age,” the receptionist said. “Has Baron Clausel approved this?”
“Yes. I received his permission.”
The Adventurers’ Guild was a neutral organization operating across national borders. It ordinarily avoided political and noble disputes. Ren’s request nevertheless surprised her because the recent Clausel Incident had made his circumstances famous.
He paid the registration fee and began filling out the form.
“I can read and write, so the standard written explanation will be enough.”
“Are you certain this is your first registration?”
“Yes.”
“You seem unusually familiar with the process.”
The guild recorded information on special paper connected to magic tools shared among its branches. The system had been developed through the work of one of the Seven Heroes, a genius magic-tool craftsman commissioned by the guild. This network accounted for part of the substantial registration fee.
Ren turned the completed paper around for the receptionist. After checking it, she handed him a card roughly the size of a playing card.
Ren Ashton. G-rank.
“Regarding the requirements for advancement—”
“I have read about them. I also know the replacement fee for a lost card and that reissuance is possible only at branches holding a record of me.”
The receptionist regarded him with renewed suspicion, but the registration was complete.
Ren placed the card safely in his pocket and approached the request board.
Strong monsters were rarely sighted within central Clausel territory. The few D-rank notices generally concerned places near neighboring lands, too distant to be considered local work.
One separate sheet at the board’s edge caught his attention.
“Hero, does that one interest you?”
A muscular adventurer had approached him. A wolfman companion stood beside him.
“Hero?” Ren repeated.
“You were impressive against that foolish viscount. People have begun calling you that.”
The wolfman’s manner was gentler. “We wondered whether the famous boy might notice something interesting.”
“You should leave that creature alone,” the first man said.
“It is D-rank,” the wolfman explained. “It does not usually attack unless provoked, which is why no one is actively hunting it. Its retaliation is as dangerous as the rank suggests.”
“The report arrived more than six months ago. We attempted it once, but the thing was too fast and too hard. We withdrew.”
Ren read the notice again.
Steel-Eating Gargoyle.
Gargoyles in this world were winged monsters roughly the size of a human, with bodies resembling animated stone statues and wings combining the shapes of bats and dragons. This rare variant consumed metal instead of the flesh of other monsters.
Its diet made its body exceptionally durable, while its speed made that durability difficult to overcome.
Ren’s interest had another cause.
(It is a Unique Monster.)
Unique Monsters granted abundant experience and proficiency. Their materials sold for high prices, and their magic stones could potentially unlock new magic swords.
He had only just decided to remain in Clausel, yet he had already found a long-term objective.
(I must obtain Lessard’s permission before attempting anything.)
There was no reason to rush. The gargoyle had remained in its territory for months and would not attack people unless disturbed.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After returning to the mansion, Ren met Lessard and Weiss in the baron’s office. He reported his successful registration and his plan to begin surveying nearby monsters.
Weiss handed him a folded sheet.
“What is this?”
“A map of the surrounding area. Use it.”
“Thank you.”
“For now, let us keep your guild activity from the young lady,” Weiss added.
“I expected you to say that.”
“There is no need to announce everything before you have even begun. She may worry unnecessarily.”
Ren would continue living in the mansion for the time being. Apart from Lessard’s wages, he had not yet earned money from hunting, so renting a home was impossible. He felt guilty about accepting such favorable conditions.
“This arrangement still benefits me too much,” Ren said. “I will submit reports, but I am also permitted to hunt for myself and accept guild work.”
Lessard looked slightly uncomfortable.
“To be honest, I have one selfish consideration.”
Ren waited.
“If you remain in Clausel, I would like you to spar with Licia occasionally—only when you are free and willing.”
Lessard never commanded Ren simply because he could. Even now, he lowered himself enough to make the request almost apologetically.
Ren disliked making the baron behave so cautiously toward him.
“I would be pleased to cross swords with her again.”
Lessard’s expression brightened.
Ren had already promised Licia more bouts. Maintaining a good relationship with her would also help avert the tragic future he remembered from the game.
“I thank you as well, boy,” Weiss said.
“There is nothing to thank me for. You are teaching me Imperial Swordsmanship, so I am the one receiving the greater favor.”
That instruction was another reason to remain in town.
Ren would need to explain his decision and new employment to his parents by letter. A round trip between Clausel and the Ashton village took nearly twenty days, so written communication would never be quick.
For now, however, he had a place to live, work approved by Lessard, permission from his parents, and his first guild card.
Thanks for the awesome translation Kay!!
Our mc thinks he’s taking advantage of them but secretly they doing whatever they can to keep him here. When mentioning becoming a noble surprised he didn’t mention the true goal marriage to the daughter
I think that’s what Lessard was implying when he said that (eventually marry his daughter and become his heir), but Ren was so shocked by the Sword King Goal proposition and other things and worries, that he never noticed it. And because he’s a JP MC whose natural disposition is to be dense, self-derogatory, lack self-esteem, overhumble, OP, etc. So there’s no way he’ll get Lessard’s endgame goal until it’s too late for him to skedaddle. XD
Guy really needs to take a chill pill though. But that’s just my opinion. I personally would’ve taken advantage of this without any guilt or shame in it. As my liege, it’s his responsibility to protect and provide for me in exchange for loyal service as his vassal.
He’s definitely nothing like the MC in “My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending”. (Brilliant light novel/manga, by the way). To be fair, though, the guy was a noble scion rather than a village knight’s son. XD
In Ren’s case, he does not get the romantic flags for a few reasons. His mother hated him because he had too many features of his father. I doubt his mother helped him with any budding relationships. His one and only girlfriend slept with a senior at his University. He swore off dating in that life.
Also, he is Japanese, he knows there is no such thing as a free meal. He expects that any minor deal he makes will backfire on him later.