Kays Translations

Chapter 123: Extra Story: Thor, Rukie, and “The One Who Leads into the Dark Night”

This time, it seems that Rukie is going to ask Thor to make a safety item…

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“I want you to make a safety item for me, Thor.”

“A safety item?”

One afternoon, while I was drinking tea in the workshop, Rukie suddenly said that.

“The truth is, there’s a dangerous place in the mountainous area near the border.”

“Yes. I’ve heard about it from the general. It’s the place where the forest suddenly ends in a cliff, right? If you walk absentmindedly, the ground just disappears and you might fall.”

“That’s right. It’s also a place where nearby villagers go to gather or hunt…”

Rukie began to explain.

In the mountains near the border, there’s a place where villagers go to gather or hunt.

That area is rich in nuts and mushrooms, and there are many animals to hunt.

However, there’s a dangerous spot nearby.

Beyond the trees lies a steep slope.

It’s a sheer cliff with considerable height, and slipping off would be extremely dangerous.

What’s worse, the area is surrounded by trees and grass, making it hard to notice the danger.

If you’re walking normally, the ground might suddenly vanish.

When people are focused on gathering or hunting, they might unknowingly get close to the cliff.

In fact, several villagers have already gotten injured there.

Rukie said she wants to take preventive measures before someone gets seriously hurt.

“The mountain paths are well maintained. As long as people stick to the paths, there’s no problem—but there are always those who wander off.”

“That’s certainly a serious issue.”

“I’ve already warned the villagers and occasionally have soldiers patrol the area, but that’s not enough.”

“So, we need an item as a countermeasure.”

I see.

In that case, maybe we should find a way to prevent injuries even if someone falls.

“Then, let’s set up a safety net at the cliff. If we use ‘Chain Lock,’ we can secure it easily. If someone falls, the net should catch them.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“Thank you.”

“That should take care of the situation if someone falls… but if possible, I’d also like something that keeps people away from the cliff to begin with.”

After thinking for a moment, Rukie said that.

“Something noticeable even from a distance, something that clearly marks the safe area and discourages residents from approaching the danger zone. Do you have anything in mind?”

“Let me see. I’ll look into it.”

I nodded.

That kind of item probably exists in the Hero World.

That world is full of people with incredible combat abilities.

Naturally, there should be items meant to avoid danger as well.

“Actually, I think I came across something like that recently…”

I spread the “Mail Order Catalog” out on the table.

As I flipped through the pages… there was a sheet of paper stuck in the back. Is this it?

Hmm? Upon closer inspection… the paper texture is different.

It was tucked inside the “Mail Order Catalog,” but it seems to be something else entirely.

It came loose when I pulled it. Unlike the other pages, it wasn’t bound in.

It looks like a separate piece of paper accidentally got mixed in.

On the paper, it says: “Introducing Professional Products for Protecting Your Region.”

Maybe it’s a special promotional flyer or something.

What was printed there was──

“This… is an item to guide people?”

The image showed a tall male mannequin.

Apparently, this is an item from the Hero World used to guide people to safe areas.

“…Is this a magic item? To me, it just looks like a mannequin.”

“It’s not just a mannequin. It says ‘professional product.’”

“‘Professional product,’ you say?”

“In other words, something the otherworldly heroes actually used in the field.”

“What!?”

“However, it’s not a combat item. It’s used to keep people away from areas where battles are taking place. So heroes can fight with full strength without worrying about surrounding damage.”

“…There’s an item like that?”

“Yes. It’s this ‘Guidance Mannequin.’ The paper says it’s an ‘essential item for safe traffic.’”

“Hoho… How interesting.”

Rukie nodded, her eyes sparkling.

The “Guidance Mannequin” is an item meant to keep people away from dangerous areas.

It stands out, holding a glowing stick. Its role is to guide human traffic.

Its shape is literally human-like, resembling an adult male.

It wears a hemispherical helmet and a suit with yellow lines.

It’s like a golem, in a way.

But only one arm is movable.

It uses the arm holding a red baton to warn of danger.

The limited mobility is probably to conserve magic power.

That way, it can stay active longer.

This “Guidance Mannequin” was apparently used all over the Hero World to guide people safely.

In doing so, it protected people’s lives and daily activities.

It warns of danger, keeps people away, and protects lives.

It’s a golem with a noble and respectable history.

“This mannequin will prevent people from approaching dangerous areas…?”

“Yes. I think it’s similar to a ‘security buzzer.’ The magic stone embedded inside likely emits a strong presence or pressure.”

“I see… That makes the expression on its face meaningful too.”

“It’s expressionless.”

“It must have attained a state of emptiness.”

“This short baton also has a strange intensity to it.”

“It seems it glows red in the dark.”

“It’s probably saying, ‘Come any closer and I’ll dye this baton even redder—with your blood.’”

“But isn’t it unnatural that it only moves one arm?”

“That’s likely to reduce magic power consumption and extend operational time.”

“But this is the Hero World, right? Shouldn’t golems be able to run forever?”

“Maybe this golem is too powerful. If it used both arms, its body might not withstand the force.”

“Or maybe it’s saying, ‘One arm is more than enough to stop you.’”

“That’s possible.”

“…Hmm.”

A mysterious item. “Guidance Doll,” huh?

The description says, “Keeps people away from construction sites and dangerous areas.”

Construction sites exist in this world too. Places where castles or forts are being built.

If castles or forts are needed, that probably means it’s a battlefield or a region with many magical beasts.

It makes sense not to want a hero to get close to such a place.

If a hero were to show up and start fighting, there’d be no room for construction to continue.

But what exactly is a “dangerous area”?

A dangerous place even for a hero with overwhelming power…

Would approaching it send you to another world, or bring creatures from another world to the hero?

Or maybe new species of magical beasts, like the “Gargarossa Beast,” would appear?

…I can’t even imagine.

In any case, this “Guidance Doll” protects people from such dangers.

By directing the flow of people, it guides everyone to safe zones.

If it’s that kind of item, it should be fine to use it in this world too.

“Rukie-sama, what do you think about placing the ‘Guidance Doll’ near dangerous areas?”

“With this doll, we can keep people from approaching the cliff and guide them to the mountain path.”

“That’s right.”

The “Guidance Doll” is a golem, so I can make it with my “Creation Alchemy.”

Only one arm moves. Since it has so few moving parts, it’s easy to make.

But what should I do about the legs?

If it can’t change direction, that’s a problem… But if I add more moving parts, it’ll consume more magic power. Maybe I can attach it to a rotating pedestal so it can change direction.

Next, I’ll have it hold a glowing “short club,” and embed a “Light Magic Stone” and a “Fire Magic Stone” in it.

Also, I’ll add a “security buzzer” function to keep people away.

Then—

“Rukie-sama do you have any requests?”

“Let me see. I’d like to make the people understand the reason this doll exists.”

“In that case, how about putting up a signboard on the mountain path?”

“To warn about the dangerous area, right? But some people might pass by without noticing.”

“What if we put a bench under the sign?”

“I see. If they sit down to rest, they’ll notice the sign. Then, when they see the ‘Guidance Doll,’ they’ll understand why it’s there.”

“Exactly. Then we could also place a bulletin board where people can write down anything they notice—”

“Hmm, I like that…”

Rukie and I discussed ideas.

Incorporating both of our ideas, the plan to install the “Guidance Doll” moved forward.

—A few nights later, on a mountain path near the border—

“…It seems I’ve already entered the Demon Lord’s domain.”

The man carrying a sword on his back murmured.

He was dressed for travel.

Wearing leather armor, he had a bag of food and water in addition to the sword on his back.

He was a sword-user from the Empire.

He had trained his sword skills alongside his comrades for a long time. He was fairly skilled.

A few days earlier, while drinking with his comrades as usual, someone brought up a topic:

“Defeating a magical beast in the Demon Lord’s domain is a good test of skill for sword-users.”

Among his comrades, there were many who claimed to have defeated beasts in the Demon Lord’s domain.

Killing magical beasts there is a way to demonstrate human swordsmanship to demons and demi-humans.

For swordsmen living in the Empire, it’s also a badge of honor.

This sword-user thought the same and crossed the border.

Though he was a seeker of the path of the sword, he also harbored a bit of ambition for fame.

That’s why he chose the cover of night to enter the Demon Lord’s domain.

He had walked through the mountainous area for several hours.

Still, there were no signs of magical beasts.

“Was it a fruitless night?” he wondered as he prepared to head back—

Fwoosh!

“—Guh!?”

A powerful presence struck his body.

“Impossible! I didn’t sense anything just a moment ago!?”

Someone was in the darkness.

Just off the mountain path, among the trees.

Where the sword-user stared, a faint human silhouette emerged.

A few seconds later, he was struck with shock.

His insides boiled with anger at his own immaturity, for not noticing that presence.

“You! Who are you!?”

The sword-user shouted into the darkness.

Beyond the trees, in his line of sight—

A tall man was standing there.

He wore bluish clothes. His pants were the same color. He was half-blended into the night.

But the man wore a pure white helmet.

It floated in the darkness—almost as if it were glowing.

It was impossible not to notice it.

Moreover, the clothes had yellow lines running through them. In the dark, they glowed like gold.

The person before him stood out tremendously.

“To get this close without me noticing… How disgraceful.”

He could have been cut down without realizing it—that thought sent a chill down the sword-user’s spine.

“I am a sword-user—may I ask your name!?”

No answer.

The person in the white helmet didn’t move an inch.

“To conceal your presence from me… You must be someone of great skill! A swordsman from the Demon Lord’s domain!?”

Still no reply.

The figure remained motionless.

“Could it be… a doll?”

But if it were a doll, what was this overwhelming presence?

It felt like standing before an enormous magical beast.

A trained sword-user like him was sensitive to presences.

He was overwhelmed by the immense aura, and his hand stayed damp with cold sweat.

In any case, he couldn’t just leave things as they were.

Muttering to himself, the sword-user stepped into the trees—

And in the next moment—

Whoosh!

“────!?”

It was as if the air had been torn apart.

A figure wearing a white helmet had swung one arm at high speed.

At the tip of the arm, a red light glowed.

Looking closely, the figure in the white helmet was holding a short club.

The red light was emanating from it.

The swordsman instinctively held his cheek.

The wind had reached him from that swing.

There were over ten meters between the figure in the white helmet and the swordsman.

Yet, a tremendous gust had struck his cheek.

As if to declare, “I will not allow you into my range.”

“…Gnnngh.”

The swordsman ground his teeth.

He, too, was a swordsman of the Empire. He had been training in the sword for over ten years and held a fair amount of pride.

That’s why he had come all the way to the Demon Lord’s territory to hunt magical beasts.

To cower before an unknown opponent? Unforgivable.

“Are you human!? Demi-human!? Or a puppet!? Do you have a reason to not let me pass!?”

He shouted. But there was no reply.

The swordsman suddenly realized that he had drawn his sword.

He felt immense fear at the thought of proceeding unarmed.

“Could this be… something used for training by the Demon Lord’s forces?”

The Empire also had mannequins designed to resemble the human body, used for sword strikes.

They were a common sight at any sword training ground.

However, none of them moved on their own.

At most, there might be a golem, but the idea of leaving such a thing unattended in the mountains was unthinkable.

Which meant this was──

“Could it be… you’re the training partner of a renowned swordsman from the Demon Lord’s domain!?”

If that were the case, it made sense.

Just as this imperial swordsman had entered the mountains for training, so too might the swordsmen of the Demon Lord’s land train in the mountains.

This mannequin existed for that purpose.

To cross swords in deadly combat with the Demon Lord’s warriors who seclude themselves in the mountains.

“…In that case, I cannot just overlook this.”

The swordsman readied his blade and fixed his gaze on the mannequin before him.

After counting his breaths dozens of times, cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Clack, clack.

The figure in the white helmet continued swinging the short club.

There was not the slightest opening.

Even though it was just continuing to swing a short club, there was no chance to strike.

Clack, clack.

As he watched the short club glowing red in the darkness, the swordsman’s mental strength gradually began to drain.

He was being overwhelmed by the presence and pressure emanating from the white-helmeted figure.

The best course of action would be to avoid the figure and take the mountain path to the side—but his pride as a swordsman would not allow such a choice.

“I’ve trained my sword techniques as well. I cannot retreat here!”

And so, he readied his sword.

He faced the glowing club wielder across the trees.

A long battle would not be to his advantage.

With that judgment, the swordsman charged forward.

“Uoooooooohhh──!”

He dashed straight at the figure in the white helmet.

The figure’s presence grew stronger. He felt overwhelmed. The pressure engulfed the swordsman.

And then──

──A few days later, from Thor’s point of view──

“There haven’t been any accidents since then, it seems.”

“It looks like the ‘Guidance Doll’ did its job.”

“Indeed. However, there is one thing that bothers me. You remember the bench and the warning sign we placed further down the mountain path?”

“Yes. To make sure it would catch everyone’s eye.”

“Well, apparently, there was a longsword left on that bench.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Moreover, it seems there was a note on the signboard. It read: ‘I have realized my immaturity. I shall return after further training.’”

“What… happened out there…?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea…”

Rukie and I looked at each other and tilted our heads in confusion.

The “Guidance Doll” is meant to prevent anyone from falling off the cliff.

Immature, surrender… I had no idea what that meant.

“Thor.”

“Yes, Rukie-sama.”

“How exactly does that ‘Guidance Doll’ guide people’s passage?”

“When someone approaches, the helmet, clothes, and club light up.”

“So it stands out even in the dark night.”

“Next, the ‘Light Magic Stone’ embedded in the body creates a huge presence. Furthermore, the ‘Dark Magic Stone’ generates a killing intent that seems to drift from a dim abyss.”

“I see. It warns that approaching is dangerous, right?”

“Exactly. For those who still come close, it swings a ‘short club’ to keep them at bay. By swinging in one direction, it also signals ‘Please go this way.’ If they still approach—using the ‘Wind Magic Stone,’ it blasts a strong wind.”

“So it guides them safely along the mountain path.”

“And for those who still approach—”

“No, if it goes that far, they won’t come closer.”

“Well, that’s true.”

A mysterious doll existing on the mountain path.

With strange clothing reminiscent of a hero’s world.

The presence and killing intent emitted from the doll.

The glowing club indicating the direction to move.

The strong wind guiding them to the mountain path.

If it goes that far, anyone would avoid the route close to the cliff.

“However, just in case, there is a final safety device attached.”

“I see. Then that’s reassuring.”

“Indeed.”

“By the way, what kind of device is it?”

“When someone gets closest, it uses the ‘Wind Magic Stone’ to create a loud noise, trips them with a metal rod hidden in the ground, extends the short club, and hits them. Also—”

“No, no, that’s too violent, isn’t it!?”

“We don’t do all of it at once, okay? It randomly selects some actions.”

“Still, that sounds pretty powerful.”

“It was an experiment to embed various safety measures. But I don’t think anyone will get close enough to activate them. Surely.”

“Well, maybe so.”

Rukie said this and took a sip of tea.

“Though, I wonder if it might attract too much attention.”

“Do you think so?”

“Hmm. People with curious personalities might gather just to see the ‘Guidance Doll’ once.”

“It’s in the mountains. I doubt anyone would come all that way.”

“…Hmm.”

“Besides, it just looks like a normal doll, so I doubt anyone will come close to see it. The final safety device probably won’t activate either.”

“That might be true.”

“Exactly.”

Rukie and I exchanged looks and nodded.

Thus, the “Guidance Doll” was placed in the mountainous region of the Demon King’s territory to protect people.

No one fell off the cliffs anymore, and the border area became peaceful.

Time passed further.

The doll installed on the mountain continued fulfilling its role, but—

“…Hey, Thor.”

“…Yes, Rukie-sama.”

“The bulletin board near the ‘Guidance Doll’ has more posts now. They include strange sentences like ‘I lacked training,’ ‘I was inexperienced,’ and ‘I was completely defeated by the Dark Warrior’s pressure’…”

“What could be happening…?”

“I have no idea…”

—It was still some time before we realized that the mountain with the ‘Guidance Doll’ had become a famous spot for some people.

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