Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 52: Luggage Carrier ⑩
I was taken aback by her attitude.
Couldn’t she ease up a little?
“Um, you do have a willingness to compromise, right?”
“I do. But there’s no way I’m not using a relic.”
“Why not?”
“Look, let me be clear. I think becoming an explorer without a relic is a nuisance.”
“Nuisance? That’s a terrible thing to say!”
I was offended.
Calling someone a nuisance just because they didn’t have a relic—it was a cruel remark.
“They are doing just fine as explorers. As I said earlier, they’re shining examples of what explorers should be, with their skills, experience, and track record.”
“Shining examples? Skills? Experience? Track record? So what? Relics are supernatural powers. Dungeons often require dealing with supernatural forces because dungeons themselves are supernatural. No matter how skilled or experienced someone is, can they match the power of a relic or a dungeon? Can they handle it?”
“Well…”
“You understand that much, don’t you?”
“…I don’t understand. I’ve never been in a dungeon.”
I lied. For some reason, her words angered me immensely.
“Oh, that’s right.”
Mineha backed off smoothly.
Perhaps she thought it pointless to explain further to someone who didn’t know.
“Dungeons are basically garbage heaps on the first floor.”
“Garbage heaps? Like where dungeon trash gathers?”
Her reaction suggested she’d never scavenged in a garbage heap before.
“I scavenge there and turn it into money.”
“Are there things to sell?”
“Items left behind by dead explorers. Their gear often ends up there too.”
“Oh, I see. That sounds tough.”
“Yeah, it’s tough, but it can be fun too.”
That’s why I wanted the anomaly extermination to succeed.
And, above all, I wanted Paki—no, everyone—to come back alive.
“In any case, that’s why I honestly think not having a relic is a hindrance. A burden. If they die in a dungeon, it’s definitely their fault.”
Her words were harsh, but she was dead serious.
The lack of joking made it even worse.
“I understand your point, but please, never say that to them directly.”
It would undoubtedly end in a fight to the death.
“I know. I’m not trying to pick a fight.”
I offered a weak smile.
Her attitude didn’t remotely look like someone who wasn’t picking a fight.
“Then why not try compromising a little?”
“Even so, there are things I can’t back down on or give up.”
“And that’s your relic?”
“That’s right.”
It was hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
Her determination was unshakable. There wasn’t even a hint of willingness to budge.
“Fine. The conversation is over. I hate it when hot food goes cold. I’m going to eat.”
“…”
Mineha turned to her food.
She had said her piece and ended the conversation on her terms.
I was both irritated and somewhat relieved.
I had no intention of continuing this argument with her.
It would only negatively affect tomorrow’s dungeon exploration.
Honestly, at this point, I didn’t just dislike Mineha—I hated her.
She was the epitome of a relic supremacist.
I understood why relic bearers might develop a superiority complex.
There was an undeniable gap between those who had them and those who didn’t.
Among explorers, especially, this relic supremacy had been a deeply entrenched mindset for ages.
It was more persistent than racial discrimination.
But I had never encountered someone as extreme as her.
Her views were utterly atrocious.
Relics didn’t define a person’s worth.
If they did, then what did that make me? …No, let’s not go there.
Ad
“…”
While eating, I noticed something.
She was clearly distinguishing between me and Axe and the others.
Sure, there was the “boy” versus “man” distinction.
But she didn’t even know if I had a relic or not.
Yet she was still treating me differently from them based on relic possession.
I wanted to believe it was just my imagination, but that hope vanished in an instant.
“What?”
The food was gone.
Wait, what? The three heaping plates of meat were already gone?
“What is it?”
She asked while casually chomping on a meatball the size of her face.
“The food…?”
“Obviously, I ate it.”
“!?”
Ad
The meatball disappeared.
What? Right in front of me, she just devoured that chunk of meat.
This speed was physically impossible.
Was this… the power of a relic?
Yeah, it had to be.
A relic for eating large amounts? Or maybe gluttony?
With relics, none of those possibilities would be surprising.
Before I knew it, all eight plates of food were gone.
“I’d say I’m about 80% full now.”
“…”
I glanced at her stomach. No noticeable change.
Our eyes met, and she frowned.
“What are you staring at, pervert?”
“S-Sorry!”
I wanted to deny being a pervert.
But since I had been staring, I could only apologize.
“Well, fine. It’s only natural you’d be captivated by this enchanting body.”
“Uh, um, yeah.”
I stammered.
“What’s with that reaction? More importantly, I’ve been hearing weird noises from the room next door for a while now.”
“Weird noises?”
“Yeah, like ‘ahh’ and ‘ugh’ sounds.”
“Alright! Let’s go! Let’s get out of here right now!”
I stood up in a hurry, ignoring Mineha’s startled “Wait, hey!” as I rushed out of the VIP room.
I hoped I’d never have to use that place again.
Leaving the Cider Inn behind, I reminded myself to prepare for tomorrow.
“See you tomorrow then.”
I said.
“Hold it!”
“What is it?”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“The meeting spot and all that.”
Oh, right. We had argued and left it unresolved.
“Tomorrow at dawn, in front of the east gate.”
“Dawn?”
“When the morning bell rings and before the next bell chimes.”
The city of Hydrangea had several belfries.
Though their precision was debatable, the interval between bells was generally considered about an hour.
One bell for the next hour, two for the one after that, and so on until evening when they stopped.
At midnight, a single bell marked the end of the day.
“I know all that. So, the east gate?”
“That way.”
I said, pointing.
Mineha looked unconvinced.
Ad
“How am I supposed to know where that is? I just got to this city today.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“You’re my luggage carrier and caretaker, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then let me stay at your place.”
“No.”
The word came out of my mouth instinctively.