Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 79: Arc Lab ①
The Witch’s House.
Haiyaan was attacked by the witch’s herbal tea and collapsed.
A green, slimy hand came out of the teacup and knocked him out. That rabbit…
Well, putting that aside, I sat on the sofa across from her as usual.
Then I explained to the witch about Haiyaan, the Holy Chamber, the egg, and Mineha-san’s spear being damaged.
The witch crossed her legs, lightly brushed her silver hair back, and narrowed her jade-colored eyes as she nodded.
“I see, I see. That mechanism really suits Kon’s tastes.”
She smiled delightfully and seductively, placing her pinky finger lightly on her lips.
“I thought you’d say that. I felt the same way.”
I had thought she might get along with Haiyan.
The witch gave a slightly bitter smile.
“But, but, he’s not Kon’s type.”
“…What kind of type does the witch like?”
“Eh, eh, s-such a thing… uh, why do you want to know…?”
“I was just a little curious.”
I replied calmly to the flustered witch.
What’s with her? Oh—right. The witch isn’t good at these kinds of conversations.
I really was only a little curious…
The witch stood her fox ears upright and fidgeted. What now?
“W-Well… Kon’s type is… someone who surpasses Kon.”
“Someone who surpasses the witch? Does a person like that even exist?”
Even thinking hard, no one came to mind. The witch stared at me.
Wait—is this that kind of moment? Am I supposed to say the type I like now?
“That’s right. I hope you’ll surpass me, Wof boy.”
The witch smiled gently as she said that.
Like the whole “the student must surpass the master” trope. Huh. Was that what this was?
“Uh, okay. I’ll do my best.”
“Fufu, fufu, I’ll be waiting with high hopes.”
“……”
Ugh, I’m getting embarrassed. I brought it up, but now this atmosphere is… weird.
It’s just kind of awkward for some reason.
Last night, and this morning too… what is this? The mood’s just weird.
I glanced over. Haiyaan was still unconscious. That rabbit.
Anyway, I tried to break the awkward mood by making small talk with the witch.
The witch must’ve sensed the awkwardness too—she didn’t press further and joined in the chat.
“By the way, does Mineha-san’s spear have anything to do with the witch?”
“Yes, yes. That spear was originally found by Kon.”
“The witch did?”
That was a surprising backstory.
“Yes, yes. Kon used to party with Emmy and Luriha, and during an expedition, she found the ‘Phantom Fairy Spear.’ But when she found it, it was rusted and falling apart—anyone else would’ve tossed it aside.”
“I see…”
Luriha is Mineha-san’s mother, right?
A top-class explorer. Wasn’t she called the “Fairy Empress”?
“That worthless spear was restored to greatness by Mineha’s now-deceased father. He was in charge of maintaining Luriha’s weapons and armor at the time.”
“So it’s like a memento of Mineha-san’s father?”
“Yes, yes. Though she probably thinks it came from her mother. In truth, it was a gift from her father.”
“That’s something really important.”
“Yes, yes.”
The witch glanced sideways at me.
“So the witch has a connection to it too?”
“Yes, yes. That’s why it means a lot to me.”
Yeah, I really want to help. That rabbit might be the key to making it happen.
Still unconscious… hmm. This is the legendary alchemist?
Then, suddenly, the witch asked me:
“Say, Wof boy. There’s something I’ve been wondering.”
“What is it?”
“Well, despite becoming an explorer, you’re still using a knife, aren’t you? Don’t you think it’s about time to carry a sword?”
“Ah… there’s a reason for that.”
I briefly explained the situation.
“Hmm, hmm. So it’s the relic effect of Generous’s beloved sword?”
“Do you know anything about that, Witch?”
“Yes, yes. That so-called ‘living relic’ is apparently owned by a first-class explorer. But one that contains the soul of a god—that’s news to me.”
Now that she mentioned it, I feel like I’ve heard that story somewhere before.
“Is something like that really possible?”
“Yes, yes. Such overwhelmingly powerful relics beyond human understanding do exist.”
“I’ve been wondering for a while—what do relics consume?”
“Ohh. So you’re asking about the energy source—interesting.”
“Yes.”
Relics don’t seem to have a visible resource like magic power.
But that’s impossible. They must consume something to function.
“That’s a very difficult question. Since long ago, it’s been speculated they run on things like ether, magic power, or other names. Lately, the idea of ‘mental energy’ has come up.”
“Mental energy…”
Not all that different from magic power, is it?
“Basically, it’s still not really understood.”
“I see.”
“But, but, maybe that rabbit over there knows something.”
“You think so?”
I glanced at the rabbit.
Still unconscious. The witch laughed.
We continued chatting after that.
Just ordinary, everyday talk—nothing special at all.
But talking with the witch was enjoyable.
I talked with her until Haiyan woke up.
Well, the explanation made sense, but that didn’t mean I had to accept it.
“Honestly, I thought I was going to die. What the hell was that green hand!? And crawling out of a teacup, seriously—what even was that!?”
“I see. Please don’t talk too much.”
“H-Hey, wait a minute. That girl just now—wasn’t she kinda cute?”
“Don’t move. Don’t talk.”
I was getting fed up with the red-eyed rabbit squirming on my shoulder.
Yes, red eyes—not violet.
Haiyaan’s eye color had changed.
It was due to the small hair ornament attached to his ear.
According to the witch, this ornament is a legendary transformation relic used by the ancient Edda.
Its only effect is to change eye color. Who would make something like that?
Haiyaan was riding on my shoulder because he was small and couldn’t keep up otherwise.
“How wonderful. Even in this age, women are still beautiful.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, Wof, we’re being followed.”
“Thought so.”
“So you noticed?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a relic that detects danger.”
Thanks to the relic [Crisis Detection], I’d noticed multiple red dots behind us.
Probably those guys—the clan called “Dragon Fang Row,” or something like that.
“Interesting. So what will you do?”
“If they don’t harm us, I’ll ignore them.”
“Surprisingly rational.”
“What did you think I’d do?”
“Charge in and punch them. Ah—sorry, not the ears! Not like that!”
“Haah…”
Seriously, this rabbit… I lowered him by the ears. Maybe I should just carry him like this.
But no, that wouldn’t be right. As I tried to lift him back up—
“Wait, stay like that—a little more and I’ll see under the skirt—whoaah don’t swing me around like thaaat!”
“Haaah.”
This rabbit… maybe I should just throw it at the guys behind us.
Reluctantly, I place it on my shoulder.
“Damn, we were so close!”
“Please stop it. This rabbit is seriously…”
“Hmm, the guys behind us.”
“They look like they’re about to make a move.”
Are they really going to start something in the middle of a public street?
Haiyaan looks suspicious.
“…Who are those guys?”
“They’re like a discount version of you.”
“What?”
“They’re a clan. They call themselves ‘Dragon Fang Row.’”
“So a clan is targeting you?”
“Yeah, well, seems like I’ve been getting in their way.”
“Hmph. So your mere existence is an obstacle. I used to get that a lot too.”
Even 4,500 years ago? Not surprising at all.
Just then, a red marker approaches.
“Hey.”
A man calls out in a rather loud voice. I turn around and see a man.
He’s tall, with short black hair and an average-looking face. Judging by his gear, he’s an adventurer.
“What is it?”
“You. Kid. You’re Wof, right?”
“I am. And you are?”
“Heh, you really are just a kid.”
The man laughs. I sigh.
“Yeah, I’m a kid.”
Maybe he didn’t like that answer. He suddenly tries to punch me.
I deflect his fist with one hand, grab it lightly, trip his legs, and slam him down.
He hits the ground hard, head and body both. The impact knocks the wind out of him.
“Gwahhh!?”
“What are you doing?”
“You little brat!”
I grab his raised arm, twist it, and stomp on his torso with all my might.
“GEHAAHHH!!”
The man passes out.
“…Incredible.”
Haiyaan looks at me with a complicated expression.
If a rabbit were doing this, it would be kind of surreal.
“It’s a self-defense technique, taught by the witch.”
“Self-defense? That looked like full-on combat technique.”
“Well, I can’t really deny that.”
“But that sexy witch taught you this?”
“Don’t call my master ‘sexy.’”
Although… it’s true. Still, who even was that guy?
Trying to punch someone in public like that—he wasn’t sane.
“They’re gone.”
“Looks like it.”
The red markers disappear into the distance. What were they even trying to do?
Soon, the man is taken away by the guards.
Still, I need to think about that clan, “Dragon Fang Row.”
If they’re going to keep bothering me every time I go out, it’s going to be a real pain.
But what should I do?
Dealing with them one-by-one every time they attack is annoying… Maybe I should just—
“Yoho, boy!”
“Wof-kun!”
“Liv-san, Bid-san. What brings you two here?”
They appear suddenly again, as usual.
“Bid and I… took a quest together…”
“And we just finished!”
Looks like they were working as a team.
And right on cue, the rabbit reacts.
“Ohh! The beautiful Liv-san! And that other lovely young lady is—?”
“I-it’s talking, the rabbit is talking!”
“You look kind of like a rabbit yourself though?”
“I’m not a rabbit! Bid-san is a rabbit-kin.”
“That’s right! Wait—what is this rabbit?!”
“…Rabbit.”
Liv manages to express clear disgust with a completely blank expression. That’s impressive in its own way.
Then she turns her gaze to me.
“Hmm… Wof boy… you look like… you’ve got something on your mind… Come now, tell big sis anything…”
“What’s this? Wof-kun has a problem? I’ll help too, tell your big sis anything!”
“W-wait, when you say ‘anything’—wait, don’t hold me like that—!”
“Well, yeah, I guess I am dealing with something right now.”
While still holding Haiyaan by the ears, I explain what just happened.
Liv and Bid quietly listen, and when I finish, they say:
“Hmm… alright, got it… Big sis has… a great idea…”
“What a coincidence, I’ve got a great idea too!”
The two “big sisters” smile sweetly.
I get a very bad feeling.