Kays Translations

Chapter 137

“And this here is where the townsfolk live. Before, I even spotted a suspicious person in the park up ahead and chased after them!”

“I see, I see. So this is the residential district.”

Melt-chan was showing me around Lindblum.
Right now we were in the lower layers, and she was explaining what kind of place the residential district was.

Hmm… so she once chased after a suspicious person here, eh.

“And beyond this, there’s a secret entrance that leads to another district called the Underside. It’s like there’s another city underground—it’s really cool!”

“Oh? I’ve heard the name before, but this’ll be my first time actually going.”

“Right? I bet Same and the others haven’t gone either. You’ll be the first, Grandpa.”

“Well now, that’s quite an honor.”

I said with the brightest smile I could muster.

It was a district I’d heard of before. Supposedly, it was the area where Shizuma’s old classmate had fled after escaping from Marquis Allheus’ mansion.

A massive explosion had injured many, and in the process a large hole had opened up, connecting to the northern forest of Lindblum.

“Looks like the entrance to the Underside is blocked off by royal knights.”

“Oh, you’re right. I wonder if something happened?”

From here, we could see knights stationed in front of the door at the far end of the residential park.

Ah, that’s right—during the incident with Marquis Allheus, Melt-chan had been hired as a guard for Izbel. No wonder she didn’t know about what happened in the Underside.

“They say there was some kind of explosion accident a while back. For all we know, no one might even be down there anymore.”

“Aww, too bad. It’s got such a mysterious vibe—I really wanted to show you, Grandpa.”

She had a disappointed look on her face, so I decided to cheer her up a bit.

“Ho-ho, we can save it for another time. Now then, why don’t we go get some lunch?”

“Good idea! Then I’ll take you to a street full of food stalls I recommend!”

With that, she cheerfully skipped ahead to lead the way.

Just watching her walk like that—it blew away every worry, every doubt I had.

Shizuma had chosen to live for this child, and had come to this country for her sake.

He found a new home, and then fought to protect it.
In the process, almost as an afterthought, he sought power to sever ties with his past—and defeated it.

And now, Shizuma’s new goal was to set us, his characters, free.

Like Still, I couldn’t help but feel respect for him.

Truly worthy of being our master. He lived not only for others, but without sacrificing himself—always ready to satisfy his own goals and desires if the chance arose.

It was youthful, it was arrogant, and it was beautiful.

Arrogance and greed aren’t evils in themselves. Taken too far, they turn harmful, but in moderation they become vitality—driving force—and they draw others in. I didn’t notice Melt was staring at me while I smiled with a faraway look on my face.

“Grandpa, why are you smiling like that?”

“Mm? Because seeing you so happy makes me happy too, Melt-chan. I was just imagining how wonderful it would be if someday Shizuma could come along with us like this.”

“Yeah, me too! But… that’ll probably be a lot later. So you’ll have to wait, okay?”

“Mm. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Hey there! Haven’t seen you in a while, young lady! Off on a job far away or something?”

“Something like that! Here, I’ll pay now.”

When we reached the food stall street, Melt-chan headed straight for the sausage stand Shizuma used to call Malmetano.

She naturally bought three: one for me, and one each for her two hands.

“These are sooo good. This is my favorite stall here.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll try one.”

I watched her happily munch away as I bit into mine.

Mm, delicious. A little heavy, but after all that walking, it was perfect for replenishing energy.
Though… Melt-chan might be eating a bit too much.

“Okay, where should we go next after eating?”

“Anywhere you’d like, Melt-chan.”

“Then I’ll show you some of the places I’ve already been to!”

And so, we spent the whole day sightseeing through Lindblum.

“And this is the central guild! Look, isn’t it crowded with people? This is where I became an adventurer!”

“Ho-ho, is that so? Do you enjoy the adventurer’s life?”

“It’s sooo much fun! Every day is full of new things—I can’t believe such wonderful days were waiting for me!”

“Mm-mm. That’s good to hear. But… always remember to be careful. Most of the people here are gathered because there’s some trouble that needs solving. And trouble usually means danger. Adventurers like you, Melt-chan, carry the wishes of people seeking salvation when you take on jobs. Never forget that.”

“Got it! I’ll be careful. I’ll study a lot and promise to always act carefully, so I’ll have plenty of choices no matter the situation.”

The last place she showed me was the central guild—known as the very heart of the city.

She spoke so brightly and proudly of it that I couldn’t help but give her a small warning…

But that was something I had to say. As one who had lived a life of battles, I had no choice.

“Mm, that’s a good answer. ‘Use wisdom to restrain force. But when wisdom fails, subdue with greater force.’ As long as you don’t forget those words, you’ll be fine, Melt-chan.”

“I see… so that means I need not only to study, but also to train, right?”

“Indeed. If you’re fine with me, I’ll spar with you anytime.”

“Grandpa, against you… I probably wouldn’t be able to do a thing! Even right now, there’s not a single opening in your stance.”

“…Ho.”

She observes well. As expected of… an upper-ranked race, perhaps.

…Tsk. She’s my precious granddaughter, yet for a moment… my blood stirred.

This girl—she could take in my teachings and rise to even greater heights.

“Oh, Melt! Long time no see!”
“It’s been a while, Melt. About a month, maybe?”
“Melt-chan, hey! Did you go on some faraway mission or something?”

Just then, three rookie adventurers Melt-chan was friendly with appeared and greeted her warmly.

Hmm… there’s something a little unusual about this trio. What is it?

“Ah, everyone! Long time no see! Yeah, I had to go on a mission pretty far away.”
“Whoa, traveling that far at New Year’s sounds rough. Was Seim with you?”
“Yep, Same was with me. But right now he’s on a separate assignment, outside the city again.”
“As expected of a Ruby-rank… so busy, huh? But I admire that.”
“True. It means people really rely on you. But in that case, Melt, you should’ve become Ruby-rank too.”
“I’m taking a bit of a break. I’ve been showing Grandpa around the city.”

Ah, so she’s introducing me too.

Yes, young, fresh adventurers really are something nice to see. They make you feel younger yourself, reminding you of your own beginnings.

“Melt’s grandpa!?”
“Ho-ho, indeed. Not by blood, but I’ve come to watch over her like family. You three are Melt’s friends, yes? Pleased to meet you.”
“Whoa… what presence! Grandpa, are you an adventurer too?”
“No, no, I’m just an old man. I can swing a sword a little, though.”
“…You’re too modest. With that bearing… you’re no ordinary man, are you?”

Hmm. This youth has a good eye. His gaze moved from my feet up to my brow. He’s analyzing my center of gravity and how I place my weight, isn’t he?

“Well, you could say that.”
“Hah! So you’re a sword master, old man? I’ve never seen a grandpa who can fight before! I bet your skills are amazing, right? What kind of stuff can you do?”
“Ho-ho… let’s see… I can cut through empty air with my sword! …Just kidding.”
“Anyone can do practice swings, you know. Are you really a master?”
“Ehh, but I am a master, you know?”

Straightforward, unpolished, still a bit childish.

But I can feel a kind of honest spirit in him. A good lad.

“Melt-chan, it’s nearly sundown. Why don’t we all go have dinner together—with your friends as well?”
“Oh, good idea! Hey guys, let’s all go eat!”
“Sounds good! Let’s grab a meal together—it’s been a while.”
“Heh, actually we’ve been earning pretty well lately. I can even afford some drinks tonight.”
“Don’t overdo it though! We’ve got a gathering request at the mountaintop lake tomorrow.”

With everyone agreeing, we left the guild and headed toward the adventurers’ den.

“So, old man, you’re the one leading Same-san and Silent-san? And Melt-chan too?”

“That was the original plan. But the vice-leader, Same, took quite a liking to this country. Melt-chan also decided she wanted to make it her second home, so the two of them settled here. We stayed in this country for a while as well, but we’ll be moving on soon.”

“Whoa, so you’re the one commanding that insanely strong guy? You really are a master!”

As we walked toward the den, I conversed with Kash-kun and Rikka-chan.

But the last one, Grant-kun, was trailing behind, keeping a cautious eye on our surroundings.

…Ah. I see.

“Grant-kun, ‘it’s still safe here.’”
“—! I see… so you know.”
“Not the details. But I’ve heard the area around the den’s entrance isn’t so safe anymore.”

Judging by the situation, it must be turf wars inside the den. Not caused by refugees themselves, but rather by friction with those originally occupying the area after refugees were accepted here… yes, that seems likely.

Considering what Kokuri-chan told me, my guess is probably correct.

“I don’t know the full story either, but recently in the mid-level shops of the den, adventurers and mercenaries have been clashing a lot with people from the Underside who’ve started coming up.”

“Oh? Then this must be fallout from the accident in the Underside. I heard it left a massive hole, making the place more physically connected.”

“Yes, exactly. I used to visit the Underside occasionally myself, but now there are more royal knights coming and going, and the residents there have started spilling up into the surface.”

Hmm… according to Melt-chan, the Underside covers a vast area.

If that’s the case, then leaving it as nothing more than a shady, half-lawless zone would be wasteful.

Now that the great hole has opened and given them an excuse to get involved, the authorities will likely use this chance to formally develop the Underside into an official district of the city.

As a resettlement place for refugees, it’s spacious, safe, and offers shelter from the elements—perfect for the purpose.

“Well then, shall we look for a shop around here?”

“Yes. Beyond this point… it may get dangerous.”

“Ah! Around here, that place would be great!”

Melt-chan pointed toward a certain shop.

If my memory serves me… that should be the very first place I visited after coming to this city.

For her, it must be a place filled with memories.

“There! It’s a tavern, but they’ve got such delicious snacks! Smoked fish that’s really tasty—bite into it together with vegetables and cheese, like chomp! It’s the best!”

“Whoa! That sounds amazing! I don’t get to eat smoked food often. Let’s check it out.”

“I don’t drink, but just hearing Melt-chan describe it makes me want to try some.”

“Hmm. It’s a bit chilly, so I’d be glad if they had hot wine or eggnog.”

“Oh? So you can handle your liquor, Grant-kun. Good, let’s go to that place then.”

“Yay! That’s my special shop full of memories! I’m so happy I get to go there with everyone!”

Seeing Melt-chan so genuinely delighted brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Well then… perhaps I too shall enjoy some smoked fish as an appetizer, and savor the taste of this world’s liquor.

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