Kays Translations

Chapter 59: Luggage carrier⑰

Hoss’s assorted meat soup had a nostalgic flavor that was surprisingly delicious.

The mushrooms, especially the red ones, were the highlight. The more you add, the better it gets. Collecting and tossing in large quantities seemed to be the way to go. It made me wish for some green onions too.

Leafy greens and root vegetables weren’t bad, but they couldn’t compete with the mushrooms.

The assorted meats brought a variety of textures, though being trimmings, they had a lot of fat.

That fat added depth to the soup’s flavor—a pleasant surprise. I’d been wary of it before, but I think I’ll try buying some next time.

Rel still hadn’t returned.

“That guy… Well, can’t be helped. Let’s wait a little longer.” 

Axe muttered, heading back to his tent with a sigh.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?”
“No worries. Rel likes to be alone sometimes.”
“Even in a dungeon?”
“Yeah. You know, Rel’s actually the son of a noble family in this country.”
“What?”
“I don’t know the details, but apparently, he grew up surrounded by a lot of sisters.”
“How many are we talking about?”
“No idea. But he’s the only boy.”
“So, he’s the heir?”
“Nope. Their family has the eldest daughter inherit.”
“I see.”

At first, I was surprised, but in this world, there’s no gender discrimination—just like there’s racial discrimination.

It’s perfectly normal for a woman to inherit. That kind of thing still throws me off a bit.

“Rel said he was always surrounded by people, so sometimes he just needs to be alone.”
“Then, even now?”
“Axe understands that, too.”
“I get it. There are times when you just want to be alone.”

Even though I live alone, I understand that feeling.

During such times, I climb to the top of the tower where I live and gaze absentmindedly at the twilight or early dawn.

The song that always plays in my mind during those moments is Christopher Cross’s “New York City Serenade.”

Those moments are just mine. Ordinary, yet special.

After a while, Rel came back.

Hoss reheated the assorted meat soup.

As we enjoyed the soup, Rel suddenly mentioned that his 14th sister was about my age.
He said she had a quiet personality and would probably get along with me.

Fourteenth sister? Just how many siblings does he have?

At least I know the 14th is his sister. Which means the ones after her are also sisters. After that… Yeah, there are probably more. Ha.

Apparently, that sister is working hard to become an explorer.
She also has a relic.

Even among so many sisters, some have relics, while others don’t.

Rel’s family doesn’t prioritize relics.

If you don’t have one, so be it. If you do, it’s a bonus.
They seem to have a very merchant-like perspective on it.

Once Rel finished eating, he cleaned up.

He used a slime for washing, which surprised me.

He diluted the slime’s dissolving mucus to wash the soup bowls and pot.

They only cooked enough to avoid leftovers, finishing everything they made.

It wasn’t just as an explorer—there were many things to learn from him.

After taking care of necessities and preparing for sleep, I decided to head to Mineha’s spot.

Of course, I didn’t approach suddenly. I kept some distance and called out.

“Mineha, are you awake?”

“What is it?”

Mineha was sitting cross-legged on a rock, looking relaxed.

She wasn’t wearing her armor, just casual clothes.

Wait… Are those bare legs? Is she not wearing a skirt?
And her hair is slightly damp.

Had she just washed up? Did I come at a bad time?

“Sorry, uh, you seem to be doing fine.”
“Obviously. What do you want? Is that all?”

“Axe said he felt bad about earlier.”
“Hmm. Whatever. It’s fine.”

I expected her to complain, but her response was indifferent.

It wasn’t that she didn’t care; it seemed like she wasn’t interested.

Maybe I could ask her something.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“About your mentor—Axe’s mother. Did she ever say anything about him?”

When I asked, Mineha’s expression changed.

Uh-oh.

“Why do you want to know that?”
“Well… I was just curious…”
“Why are you curious?”

I could feel her growing more cautious.
This wasn’t going to work.

It was unexpected. I thought she didn’t care, so I asked.

“Sorry. If it’s a no-go, forget it.”

I backed off quickly.

Just as I was about to leave—

“Wait. My mentor… she once said something. She said her son hated her.”
“…What?”
“I thought it was weird, but she said it couldn’t be helped. She said everything that happened, how things ended up that way—it was all her fault.”
“…”

By “what happened,” she must mean the kidnapping.

It’s true Axe resented her for it, and that’s why he became a target.

But at the time, his mother, Emi, was away on a job.

The person who rescued him was an explorer acquaintance. His mother didn’t return until a month later.

“I don’t know what that refers to… I wanted to know, but I couldn’t bring myself to dig that deep. However, I did figure out why Axe hates her.”

“You figured it out?”

“Yes… But listen. The root of Axe’s hatred for her is because he doesn’t have a relic. That’s something no one can change.”

“That’s true.”

“I felt a bit sorry for him, you know? Not having a relic… From my perspective, as someone from Faerial, it’s basically like being told to die. So yeah, I sympathize.”

“In that case—”

“But listen. Understanding it and accepting it are two different things. Even if he’s her own son, I can’t forgive anyone who hates my mentor—the person who saved me and my mother’s lives. She’s my beloved mentor.”

“The person who saved your lives?”

“That’s right.”

(But… I… didn’t know… Ten years ago…)

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

What was that just now?
It felt like I heard a voice in my head…

“Uh, no, it’s nothing.”

“Wait, your eyes—”

Mineha looked at me curiously.

“My eyes?”

“They disappeared. What was that?”

“What?”

“Whatever. Anyway, this is one thing I absolutely won’t compromise on, just like with relics. That’s why I’ve decided not to associate with Axe or his group anymore. I’ll join this time because it’s my mentor’s life on the line. But after that, I’ll never see them again.”

That sounded exactly like what Axe said earlier. Could it be—

“Have you been eavesdropping?”

“What are you talking about?”

She feigned ignorance, which was unusual for her.

If she genuinely didn’t know what I meant, the Mineha I knew would’ve responded with irritation, saying something like, ‘What are you even talking about?’

It was pretty obvious she’d overheard.

No wonder her reaction to my apology on Axe’s behalf was so indifferent.

I sighed and repeated myself.

“So, what am I supposed to do then?”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Got it. Well, I’ll be going now.”

I decided to end the conversation quickly.

As I headed back to the tent, Mineha suddenly spoke up behind me.

“Still, you really are strange.”

What?

Now, that’s something I can’t ignore.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means you’re being unnecessarily meddlesome.”

“…I think so too.”

I really do. I had told myself it wasn’t my business and brushed it off.

And yet, I asked about Axe’s mother’s feelings toward him.

What am I doing? Even I can see it’s unnecessary meddling.

Sensing my feelings, Mineha looked at me with an exasperated expression.

“Sticking your nose in like that can get you burned.”

“That does happen sometimes.”

“You don’t get it. In a dungeon, it could cost you your life. In other words, you’ll die.”

“I just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

When I answered firmly, Mineha scoffed.

“Hmph. Well, do whatever you like. It’s none of my business.”

“Right. I will.”

“Well then, good night.”

Mineha stood up and walked away.

I headed back to the tent too.

That night, I thought I felt the dungeon shake—just once.

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