Kays Translations

Chapter 33: The Black Swallow Megadia(4)

Pakila-san nearly spit out her drink as well. Anyone would. I asked cautiously.

“Uh, wait, why?”

“Why? No reason.”

Megadia said it casually and took another sip of her cider.

“No reason?”

“What did you just say?”

“Or are you already working for someone else?”

“Well, uh, no, but…”

“Right, you’re not.”

Faced with her sharp gaze, I couldn’t lie.

“Wh-why?” 

Pakila-san groaned as she asked.

“Like I said, no reason.”

“No reason? That’s absurd!”

“What’s this? Worried I’m stealing your boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend!”

“And she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Then it shouldn’t matter, should it?”

“…I suppose not, but…”

Pakila-san’s response was filled with uncertainty.

“……”

I didn’t believe there was no reason. I had a suspicion.

And yet… tension ran through me.

Using my Danger Perception, Megadia was lit up in bright red.

At least she wasn’t black—that was a relief.

If she had been black… I didn’t even want to think about it.

The Danger Perception didn’t just identify physical threats; it also picked up on environmental, positional, and emotional dangers.

“—It’s just a joke.”

“Huh?”

“That upset look of yours is a little hurtful.”

Megadia chuckled softly, a wry smile on her lips.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry. It was just so sudden…”

I felt relieved. So it was just a joke.

Pakila-san, however, sighed in exasperation.

“What a terrible sense of humor you have. Don’t tell me the matter about joining you is a joke as well?”

“That’s serious.”

“Then that’s fine.”

“Still, hmm, maybe I’m not that charming after all.” 

Megadia murmured, letting out a small sigh.

“Th-that’s not true…”

Wait, what? What is even happening here?

“It’s not like that.” 

Pakila-san added.

“Uh, well, Megadia-san, you’re very beautiful.”

And she really was. Despite her towering height, she pulled off gothic lolita fashion flawlessly. She was stunning.

Megadia gave a faint, bitter smile.

“That was a joke too.”

“…Please don’t tease me.”

Feeling embarrassed by my own words, I frowned.

“Fufu, just a little payback for rejecting me.”

Megadia smiled mischievously, her expression slightly wicked.

Honestly, what a handful.

“…Hey, Wof.”

“What is it?”

“How about me?”

“Huh? About what?”

Pakila-san seemed annoyed as she pressed further.

“How about… my charm?”

“Uh, um, y-you’re cute. A real beauty.”

Because, honestly, cat ears are justice. And she really was adorable—a true beauty.

“Hmph. Of course.” 

She huffed, turning away with her nose in the air.

Her ears were bright red.

Did… did I say something wrong?

I was quite embarrassed.

Megadia gave us a flat stare.

“If you’re going to flirt, do it in the next room.”

“We’re not flirting!”

“We’re not!”

Also, what’s this about the next room? Pakila-san’s cheeks turned slightly red as she cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Enough of this. Megadia-san, I’ll take the matter of accompanying you back to my group and give you an answer later. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, but since we’re planning to set out soon, I’d appreciate a prompt response.”

“How should we deliver our answer?”

“Just give my name at the reception desk of the Explorer’s Guild.”

“Understood. I’ll respond as soon as possible. By the way, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Megadia-san, are you an Edda?”

“Are you?”

Edda—the supreme race, the dominant kind, said to sit at the pinnacle of all races.

“…Yes, I’m an Edda. You figured it out?”

“Your violet eyes gave it away. That, and I know someone of mixed Edda blood.”

Ah, Ambrosius-san. Upon hearing this, Megadia nodded in understanding.

“I am a pureblood Edda. But that doesn’t mean much.”

“Aren’t you a noble?”

“Well, yes, I am a count.”

A count?! Even Pakila-san was visibly shocked. Megadia swirled the cider in her glass nonchalantly.

“But I’m still just an explorer.”

She took a small sip. Pakila-san lowered her gaze apologetically.

“Forgive me for asking such a thing.”

“It’s fine. One’s race isn’t something they can change.”

Megadia offered a faint, bittersweet smile. I wondered if she had experienced something significant as an Edda.

“……”

“What’s wrong, Wof?”

“Ah, um… I was just wondering what it really means to be an Edda.”

“They’re the dominant race.” 

Pakila-san said.

“Yeah, but I don’t know much about them.”

“Well, they aren’t common.” 

Pakila-san admitted.

“—The Edda are characterized by their violet eyes.” 

Megadia said.

That was true of Ambrosius-san as well. Violet eyes…

“And they’re born with two relics.”

“Does that mean you also have relics, Megadia-san?”

“Yes, of course.”

“That alone puts them far above other races.” 

Pakila-san noted.

“Indeed. The only other race guaranteed to possess relics is the Fairial.”

“Really?”

“They’re a special case. Also, I mentioned that all Edda are nobles.”

“Right. But I was wondering… If all Edda are nobles, does that mean there are no nobles of other races?”

This was something I had always been curious about.

“No, there are nobles among other races as well. For instance, the king of this country isn’t an Edda, is he?”

“Really?”

“You should at least know the race of your own king.” 

Pakila-san scolded.

“Sorry. I’ve just never had any connection to royalty.”

And to be honest, I’d never cared.

“That misunderstanding is pretty common, though.” 

Megadia said.

“It doesn’t help that there are no nobles in this area. This is the frontier, far from the capital,” 

Pakila-san added.

“Even the Marquis of Hydrangea, the ruler of this region, isn’t an Edda.” 

Megadia said.

“Really?”

I didn’t know that. Pakila-san and Megadia exchanged amused smiles.

“You’re interesting, Wof-kun.” 

Megadia said.

“You should at least learn the basics.” 

Pakila-san added.

“Y-yes, I’ll try.” 

I said, feeling chastened. Even if I wasn’t interested, I should probably know more about these things.

“Also—let’s see. Edda have a god they worship.” 

Megadia continued.

“The supreme race does?”

“The dominant kind?”

“Yes. A god with violet hair and six violet eyes.”

“I’ve never heard of this before.” 

Pakila-san admitted.

“…Does this god have a name?” 

“Yes, they’re called Generous.”

“That’s an intriguing name.” 

Pakila-san said.

“It is. Do you also worship this god, Megadia-san?”

“Yes. Every Edda does. That’s about it. Not very exciting, was it?”

“No, it was informative.”

“Yes, it was a valuable discussion. I never expected the Edda to have a god they worship.” 

Pakila-san added.

“I hear that a lot.” 

Megadia replied with a faint smile.

Megadia-san sipped her cider with a shy expression.  

“Well, I suppose it’s about time for me to take my leave.”  

“Oh, already?”  

“There’s something I must discuss promptly, so I need to head back.”  

“I should get going too.”

“Oh, you as well? That’s a shame. But I had fun.”  

“It was an honor to speak with you like this.”

Pakila-san added.  

“I feel the same. Thank you.” 

I said.  

“It’s fine. Let’s chat again if we get the chance.” 

Megadia replied with a smile.  

“Yes, let’s do that.” 

Pakila-san agreed.  

“Absolutely.” 

I nodded.  

After a rare and valuable experience, we left the shop.  

After walking a bit, Pakila-san came to a stop.  

“This is where we part ways.”  

“Yes. Thank you for everything today.” 

“If anyone should be thanking someone, it’s me. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to speak with Megadia-san.” 

Pakila-san replied.  

“You’re exaggerating.”  

“Also… I enjoyed being with you today.”  

“I enjoyed it as well.”  

“By the way, Wof.”  

“Yes?”  

“You’re not working as someone’s hireling, are you?”  

“No, I’m not. Sorry about that.” 

She had seen through my earlier lie, and I felt a little guilty.  

“I see… Hmm, you are rather mysterious.”  

“Am I?”  

“And… I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”  

“?”  

She said it quietly, so I didn’t quite catch it.  

“I hope the herbology guide is useful to you.”  

“It definitely will be. Thank you.”  

“I’ll be looking forward to hearing how it helps. Farewell for now.”  

“Goodbye.” 

And so, I parted ways with Pakila-san.  

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