Kays Translations

Chapter 159: “Princess Sophia Hears About the Imperial Forces”

After that, we left the hut and hid in the forest.

“──Agnis-sama said she would come immediately.”

The winged pixie Lune, who had returned as a messenger, told us this.

It seems that Agnis had consulted with Isaac-san and split the unit into two.

Half were tracking the Spherical-Type Cleaning Robot, while the other half were following us from a distance.

That’s why Agnis was surprisingly close by. She was already on her way here.

“It seems part of the ‘Omawarisan Unit’ is accompanying Agnis-sama’s unit. Let’s leave the watch over the hut to them.”

“If the mastermind returns, they’ll handle it.”

Sophia and Dorothy-san said this.

Both Erte and I agreed with that opinion.

This was human territory, after all.

It would be better to leave the hut’s surveillance to the human unit.

“All that remains is to bring back the Fireproof Safe, and this mission will be over.”

“I’m glad everything ended safely, Thor-sama.”

“Yeah. All that’s left now is to go back and divide the spoils.”

By the way, the Fireproof Safe was inside my Miniature Simple Storage.

This was something we all discussed and decided.

With this arrangement, the Demon Lord’s Domain would hold the Fireproof Safe, while Noza Town would hold the letters and documents from another world.

Sophia and the others wanted the Fireproof Safe.

As for me—or rather, what I personally wanted—was the ‘letters and documents from another world.’

Now, each side possesses what the other desires.

Although we’re on friendly terms, we’re also, outwardly, representatives of different factions.

That’s why we apparently have to maintain this balance. It’s a bit of a hassle.

“Now then, prisoners—you’ll be escorted to Noza Town.”

Dorothy-san said.

The captured men had their hands tied behind their backs and were roped together like beads.

They were the ones who stole ‘that box’ from the Empire’s fortress—or their accomplices.

The Grand Duchy had been entrusted by the Empire with investigating that fortress.

In connection with that, we were to interrogate the people who stole the box from the fortress.

“Once we return to town, we’ll interrogate you. About how you obtained the box, what you intended to do with it, and what you know about the mastermind’s identity.”

“…Ugh…uhh…”

The captured men slumped their shoulders in despair.

They were no longer wearing the ‘Noise-Cancelling Coats.’

We had removed them along with their blindfolds before coming outside.

However──

“…We’ll tell you everything. Just don’t throw us into that silent world again.”

“…That pitch-black world… with only a constant ringing in the ears… I hate it. I really hate it…”

“…To have such an ability… and to defeat the ‘Dark Wolf’ so easily… Who the hell are you people…?”

“““……(tremble, tremble)”””

The men were shaking at the knees.

Being blindfolded and having every surrounding sound erased by the Noise-Cancelling Coat had clearly terrified them.

Well, that’s to be expected. After all, these are the people who kept magical beasts in human settlements.

“Thank you for your hard work, Canaan-sama.”

Leaning against a tree in the forest, Sophia stretched with a big sigh.

Still wearing her hood, she looked at me and said,

“Thanks to Canaan-sama, the investigation was a success. Truly, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I got to handle some valuable items as well.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. And also…”

Sophia looked down shyly, embarrassed,

“I’d be honored if you would continue to call me ‘Sophia,’ Canaan-sama.”

“Is that okay?”

“I wish for those close to me to call me by my nickname.”

“Understood.”

“And please call Liana ‘Lia’ too.”

“Better to get her permission for that one.”

“Oh… that’s a shame.”

Sophia gave a mischievous smile, then placed her hand on her chest.

The letters and bundle of papers from another world were tucked against her chest.

Traveler’s clothes had a hidden pocket inside for valuables.

Sophia had decided to hide the documents there.

“I absolutely won’t lose this. Please don’t worry.”

“I’ll make sure to get ‘that box’ to the town safely too.”

“We’ll exchange them later, all right?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure we both reach out and receive what we need from each other, okay?”

“…? Yes. I understand.”

“I have your word now.”

Sophia nodded with satisfaction.

The Demon Lord’s Domain and Noza Town had agreed to divide what they obtained fairly. Technically, there was no need to extract another promise…

“May I also attend the exchange, as a representative of the Demon Lord’s Domain?”

Behind me, Mabel was nodding seriously.

“Of course. Mabel, you need to witness it properly.”

“Yes. My job isn’t done until we return to the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

“We have to stay alert.”

“Of course, I’ll remain vigilant.”

Mabel and I looked at each other and nodded.

Then, after a while──

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

From beyond the forest, Agnis appeared.

Alongside her were soldiers serving Flame General Raisenga and members of the Omawarisan Unit.

Arriving, Agnis smiled at Mabel and me.

Then she began coordinating with Erte-san and Dorothy-san.

“I’m just glad the search team is safe.”

Agnis gave a courteous bow to the entire team.

Then she looked toward Sophia,

“There are many things I’d like to talk about, but… first, someone from the ‘Omawarisan Unit’ has an urgent message for Princess Sophia.”

“An urgent message?”

“──Excuse me, Your Highness.”

A soldier from the escort unit stepped forward and knelt before Sophia.

“Captain Isaac Muira has a message for Your Highness. May I deliver it directly?”

“Permission granted. Go ahead.”

“…Is it all right to say it here?”

“It’s fine.”

Sophia said.

We put the Noise-Cancelling Coats back on the captured men.

Inside out, of course.

The men turned pale, but they’d have to endure it for a short while. Yep.

“Here is the message. Isaac-sama’s unit encountered a unit from the Empire. They say they’re on a top-secret mission from the imperial capital. Also, the man who appears to be the commander wishes to speak with Princess Sophia.”

…Imperial soldiers, huh.

They’re probably connected to the intruder who came to the trading post and Princess Sophia.

Since their infiltration failed, maybe they decided to come out and speak openly.

Seriously… bold, or perhaps shameless.

“And who’s this commander?”

“He says he’s Prince Ricardo Dorgalia.”

Silence fell.

Dorothy-san and Misana-san both looked shocked.

We did too.

We never imagined the name of an Imperial prince would come up here.

“And what reason does Prince Ricardo give for wanting to meet?”

“He says, ‘For a top-secret mission, I’m to negotiate with a certain person. I ask for Noza Town’s cooperation.’”

“Understood. Crystal clear.”

Sophia nodded several times.

She looked at me with a wry smile.

Somehow, I understood what she was thinking.

The “top-secret mission” must be about that box.

Are the negotiation partners the captured men? Or perhaps Daryl Zanno?

If it’s Daryl Zanno, then it explains why he wasn’t in the cabin.

He’s probably outside preparing for negotiations with the imperial prince. Maybe he’s out gathering magical beasts for escort.

I’ll ask the captured men about it later.

“Let’s agree to the meeting.”

Sophia said.

“The meeting will take place in Noza Town at noon the day after tomorrow, since we also need time to rest. Each side may bring one escort, and a record keeper will be present. Please convey these conditions.”

“A record keeper?”

“The details of the negotiations must be recorded word for word. If this is related to that box, then it concerns everyone in the Demon Lord’s Domain as well.”

Sophia paused for a breath and sighed.

“That’s why we need to leave a record that anyone can understand. We must avoid any ‘he said, she said’ disputes.”

“Understood!”

“Assign surveillance to Prince Ricardo’s unit. Let’s make sure their location doesn’t overlap with our return route.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

With that, a soldier from the ‘Omawarisan Unit’ took off running.

“…I never imagined Prince Ricardo would be here.”

Dorothy-san muttered softly.

“Princess Sophia, do you understand what Prince Ricardo wants?”

“I can imagine. And I also have a proposal in response. I didn’t expect to use it this soon, though.”

Sophia said this while looking at me.

“This matter appears urgent. Would you be willing to transport the Fireproof Safe to Noza Town?”

“Of course.”

I nodded.

“However, if we’re to exchange spoils on the spot, we’ll need the Demon Lord’s permission.”

“That’s why I scheduled the negotiation for two days later. In the meantime, could you report to the Demon Lord?”

“Understood. I’ll send a messenger right away.”

Handing the original box over in Noza Town while the Demon Lord’s Domain retains the documents inside should be acceptable to Rukie. After all, we already have the safe’s manual.

I’ve also analyzed its materials using Appraisal Grasp.

If we continue researching, we may be able to replicate the box someday.

I don’t think there will be any problem with giving them the original Fireproof Safe.

Of course, that’s assuming Rukie gives her permission.

As for the box itself, that’s fine—but the issue is what to do with the documents from the other world.

Only I can read the Letters and Paper Bundle from Another World.

So I’ll have to translate them and create copies.

The information about Hard Creatures and the Heroes’ world should be widely shared.

Moreover, we need the Empire to state clearly that Hero Summoning is forbidden.

It’s already been confirmed that new types of magical beasts are roaming the Heroes’ world. If they attempt to summon a hero, those creatures might come through instead.

Hero Summoning must be banned at all costs.

However, how much of this information we make public depends on Rukie’s decision.

The letters also mention weapons from the Heroes’ world.

If the Empire reads that and demands, “Give us the documents too,” it’ll get troublesome.

Those documents are dangerous.

As the letter said, it proposed various weapons, and the papers were divided into several bundles. Each probably describes a different weapon.

I only glanced at the first cover, but there was something that looked like a sword.

What in the world is an Ultra-High-Frequency Blade?

“Erte-sama, civil official of the Demon Lord’s Domain—may I ask you something?”

As I was thinking about that, Sophia suddenly spoke.

“Regarding the current search team—Erte-sama is the leader from the Demon Lord’s Domain, correct?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, if possible, could we ask Canaan-sama to attend the negotiation as the record keeper?”

…Me? At the negotiation with the prince?

“The incident involving that box was resolved through the joint efforts of everyone from the Demon Lord’s Domain. We intend to share the negotiation’s contents with you as well, so it would be best to have someone from your side present from the beginning.”

It made perfect sense.

As expected of Sophia… I thought, but she looked worried.

…Right. The one we’re about to meet is a prince.

And he might be the one who sent investigators to spy on Sophia’s group.

It’s only natural she’d be uneasy.

“──We’re grateful for Your Highness’s consideration.”

Erte-san gave a slight bow.

“As for the record keeper… personally, I have no objection. How about you, Alchemist-sama?”

“Please allow me to serve as the record keeper and attend the meeting.”

I said.

“I’ll obtain written permission from the Demon Lord. I’ll explain that this matter is of great importance to the Demon Lord’s Domain. Please allow me to attend.”

I was the one who advised Sophia on the negotiations.

So I have a duty to see it through.

“Thank you, Canaan-sama. Then, let’s return to the town.”

Sophia looked around at us and said.

“We’ll prepare lodging for everyone from the Demon Lord’s Domain as well. Please rest in Noza Town. It’ll be a humble gesture of hospitality.”

And so, we headed back to Noza Town—

And I prepared a letter to Rukie, explaining the situation.

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