Kays Translations

Chapter 15- Licia at that time

"Ragna-san, what is this?"

"As you can see, it's a circlet. It's made of mithril that has died, a peculiar item. It's neither corroded nor painted to obtain this color."

"A metal can die...?"

"Yes. Mithril is a metal that contains magic properties, but it has lost that characteristic. That's why we say it has died."

Although Ren is not particularly knowledgeable in the field of minerals, he has some understanding of the properties and mining locations of materials used in weapon and armor crafting. However, when it comes to specialized processing, it's a different story.

"Do such processing methods exist?"

"They don't. The most remarkable characteristic of mithril is that even when it is turned into powder, it doesn't lose its properties."

"...I see, that's strange."

"I know, right? However, another mithril that faced the same situation was found recently. It happened just a few days ago in the old town."

During a regular investigation conducted by the Mysterious Agency, an expensive pen made of mithril was found in the same location. If you look closely, you can see that the pen is displayed inside a showcase. According to the investigation carried out by Ragna and the others, it had faced the same situation as the circlet.

"I'm really curious about how they managed to kill mithril."

Although he would be lying if he said he had no interest, Ren wasn't as intrigued as Ragna. It's an amazing phenomenon for a researcher, but for Ren, who lacks expertise in such specialized knowledge, it's more difficult to comprehend.

"Is your role as a traveling bag merchant also related to these excavations?"

"Hmm..."

Ragna looked at Ren with great interest and his mouth loosened.

"Where did you hear that? Did Radius mention it?"

"I haven't said anything. I wanted you to explain your activities yourself."

"Then, Ren, how did you know?"

"Well, if such a conspicuous and large bag is placed here, it's only natural to assume that there's a bag traveler here."

"I see. So, where did you see me?"

"I saw you the other day in the alleys of the capital city."

"Ahh!"

Ragna clapped his hands as if confirming that it wasn't a mistaken sighting.

"That day, I had some free time, so I stopped by the capital city."

"Wait, Ragna! If that's the case, why didn't you show yourself to me?"

"I knew we would have the opportunity to meet. Or what, did you want to talk to your mentor so badly? You have some cute aspects, Radius. Should I pat your head?"

"..."

A crestfallen Radius didn't remain silent because he wanted Ragna to pat his head. He simply turned away, sighing mixed with frustration.

"By the way, Ren, it seems you know about the bag traveler. So, are you hoping to become a researcher after graduation? Were you excited by the rumors of a wonderful traveler? I can tell."

"Well, it's not to that extent."

Ragna nodded in agreement when Ren mentioned that there are several people who talk about the bag traveler.

"However, Ren, it seems you aren't particularly fascinated by it, even after seeing this."

"I think it's amazing, but besides that, I can't think of anything else... Or rather, couldn't you use Radius' power to investigate and find something?"

If Radius had the innate power of analysis, perhaps some clues could be obtained. Ren thought it was a great idea, but the fact that the other two didn't try it means they must have their reasons.

"As a matter of fact, this circlet is not something I'm seeing for the first time either. I just heard about the excavation of the pen, but we have already been investigating this circlet."

The results are unknown. No plausible answers or information come to mind. The mystery remains unsolved, and even when they tried using Radius' power of analysis on the pen, it only yielded the same sensations.

One thing that was certain was that both the circlet and the pen had undergone the same transformation due to the same power.

"Even with Radius' power, I knew the result would be like this. However, it's interesting when ancient artifacts like this end up in such a state."

When the master of the room snapped his fingers, the showcase retreated. The doors closed without making a sound. Ren and Radius could only bid farewell to the mithril that had been described as dead and consumed by black corrosion.

Now Ragna says he's going to the restroom and leaves his seat.

"Ragna, even though you're a Shelgadian  person, you work at the Ministry of Mysteries."

"Are you talking about nationality?"

Working as a researcher in a facility full of secrets. Ren was curious whether it was allowed for someone who wasn't a citizen of Leomel.

"Ragna being a Shelgadian is only in terms of race. His parents were ordinary people—well, that's not the right way to put it. His parents are Leomel-born researchers who are not Shelgadians."

Ragna is a throwback. It seems that he has Shelgadian ancestry and was born in this world as a pure Shelgadian person, not a mixed race. Ren understood that such cases existed.

"In fact, Ragna hates the Shelgadian Empire."

"Oh, really? Why?"

"Shelgad frequently engages in military interventions in other countries. I don't remember when exactly, but an excavation site that he was planning to excavate collapsed during a war. It seems that the Shelgadian army was at the forefront of using force."

"Ah, I see... That sounds like something Ragna would do."

When Ren heard that the ruins had collapsed, he wondered how Ragna had reacted. Whether he was enraged or stunned, he could be either.

Ren changed the topic.

"What do you think about the mithril we saw earlier, Radius?"

"I have no idea. It's completely outside my field of expertise."

"What about it? It's related to the Eclipse Princess we were just talking about."

"...I don't even know which country the Eclipse Princess is from. It's an old folk tale."

"Well, yeah, but..."

"I understand the feeling. They say the Eclipse Princess's power corrodes everything."

"Right?"

"So, if what you're saying is correct, the items we saw earlier were possessions of the Eclipse Princess."

Radius and Ren laughed. Later, when they returned, they subtly asked Ragna about the word "Goddess descendant" in their conversation. However, Ragna’s answer was simply, "I've never heard of it."

Ren felt that Ragna would be busy on this day, so they decided to disperse for now. They made a promise to talk with Ragna while they were in Eupheim on another day.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Exiting Eupheim and walking for about an hour on foot, there is a place where steep rocks are lined up like a maze, and trees that are unfazed by the sea breeze grow.

The view is beautiful, and it is a place where intermediate and higher-level adventurers sometimes enjoy hunting.

There is also a nearby highway.

In the vicinity, there are low-rank monsters that are closer to D-rank among the E-rank monsters.

These monsters appear near the highway and pose a threat to people who are recommended to defeat them.

It requires a certain level of strength to come here, but it didn't matter to the boys and girls who came here.

In addition to the members of the Seven Great heroic Families, Vane is also present.

And more than anyone else—there is a girl named Licia Clausel. Thanks to her, the monsters around here are not enemies.

However, the battles were going smoothly enough that Licia didn't need to demonstrate her abilities.

"Vane! I got one!"

When Sarah speaks while gracefully dispatching enemies with her swordsmanship,

"Yeah! Just like this!"

Vane responds and quickly brings down a monster.

The newly appearing monsters aren't much different.

"Hyaaaah!"

First, Kaito deflects them with his proud large shield

"Too bad, you can't escape from my bow."

An arrow fired from Charlotte's bow pierces the forehead of a monster.

The monsters that suddenly appeared from the woods were swiftly wiped out. They had no chance of putting up a fight.

The two who had no chance to participate in the battle started talking.

"Ne, ne, Licia-chan. I didn't have anything to do, huh?"

Nemu said.

"I knew that."

Licia didn't seem particularly concerned. Nemu was just bored.

On the other hand, Licia silently admired Charlotte's skill without saying a word.

...But still, what an amazing bow.

Charlotte Lophelia, a daughter of the Lophelia family among the Seven Great heroic Families, and a master archer. She was a descendant of one of the seven heroes who excelled in archery.

She had been weilding a bow since she was a child.

Her skill in accurately shooting through the weak points of enemies was remarkable. Even Kaito, who Vane couldn't defeat, could be cornered if the distance opened up.

With three powerful vanguards and her as the rear guard, ordinary monsters couldn't keep up. In case of need, Nemu could also fight.

Although she primarily played a support role, she was by no means weak.

"I wanted to see Licia-chan fight too."

Nemu said.

"That's not it. It's just that you guys were so strong that I didn't have a chance to participate."

The sea breeze danced on the grass at their feet, causing Licia's skirt to sway slightly.

Somewhere other than here, in a similar scene...

[Next time, why not have Clausel-san join us too?]

[Well, well, it's reassuring to have the Sword Saint... watching over us.]

Such choices occasionally appeared, but they were irrelevant now.

"Next time, I'll fight with you! Is that alright?"

"...Sure. I got it. I'm looking forward to it."

Licia's somewhat reluctant response and Sarah's joyful skipping figure.

The voices of the party members walking along the highway echoed in the vibrant sky.

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