Kays Translations

Chapter 141

After confirming that the victimized women were safely placed under the protection of the Holy Kingdom’s knights, I returned once more to the underground cells of the Allheus estate.

I was… a little worn out. Not in body, but in spirit—tired of this immature self of mine.
Late into the night, I ran swiftly across rooftops in one breath, returning home.

When I knocked at the door, I immediately felt a familiar killing intent from within.
Hm. Good. Lady Remiya was properly on guard.

“Lady Remiya, it’s me. I’ve returned.”
『How can you prove that?』
“Muu… Ah! Blast it! I never even introduced myself to you, did I!? Forgive me, my name is Rue. I’m the leader of the Brigade, here at Same’s request.”
『Now that you mention it… you never did give me your name. I see. If you know that, then you must be the real one.』

When the door opened, she greeted me with her mask removed.
…One tends to forget, with her dark and assassin-like bearing, but this girl really is quite the beauty.

“Much obliged, truly. Melt-chan has likely never experienced being drunk before, so I was worried about leaving her alone.”
“I see. Well, she’s fast asleep in her own room now.”
“I see, I see. I truly owe you, Lady Remiya.”
“…By the way, the fact that you know my name, is that from Silent-sama?”
“Aye. Any information Brigade members hear outside always reaches my ears.”

…Or so I’ll claim. As the leader, it wouldn’t be odd for such reports to be given to me.

“I understand… How is Silent-sama’s condition?”
“Hmm? Oh, Silent has just about fully recovered. Thanks to the excellent medicine Same brought, he’s back in good health. For now, since I’m away from the Brigade, he’ll remain there as a vital force.”
“I’m relieved… Knowing he’s safe is enough for me. Then… may I ask you to tell me about what happened in the Underside?”
“Aye, of course. It’s not that complicated, really…”

From the time I had been drinking at the adventurer’s den up to my return here, I gave a concise account of everything that had occurred. And then—

“The nation or the guild must immediately seize control of the Underside’s deepest sector. At the same time, victims must be rescued and treated. Also, they must check whether similar cases have occurred before, whether there have been suspicious trades or unnaturally large shipments moved. If I recall, there was a district where many warehouses are clustered together?”

That was the place Hash had once headed during the Pigeon Trading Company’s banquet.
Best to investigate it just in case.

“…I’ll arrange it at once. There’s more I’d like to discuss, but this takes priority.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”

Human trafficking, kidnapping of refugees—such crimes must never be allowed to occur in this nation, a victor of war.
The blow to its international reputation would be devastating. Even if untrue, if people said “The war was fought only to abduct people,” this country’s name would sink to ruin.

…Perhaps there is indeed someone pulling strings behind the scenes, aiming for exactly that.

Seeing Lady Remiya depart to act immediately, I too decided to rest.
By tomorrow… no, by today already, a summons from the royal palace may arrive…

“…Ugh… it’s better, but my head still feels like it’s splitting apart… At this rate, I might not be able to return to my original form for a while.”

At the round table in the darkness, seated at the head, I shared and observed part of Rue’s actions with the others.
But even as I did, I was locked in a desperate struggle against the headache and the whirlpool of immense knowledge, trying to sift and sort through it.

“Shizuma, you really should let go of this knowledge. The sheer volume of Rue’s information and records is far too vast. No ordinary human could memorize this much in such a short span.”
“Even if you say that… it’s not like I know how to let go of it—”
“Then stop recalling it. Think of something else. My lord, for example, try shifting the memories you call up into Silent’s knowledge instead. Redirect your focus.”

Following the advice of Still across the table, and Silent beside me, I closed my eyes and forced myself to shift my awareness.
And indeed… it grew a little easier.

“…Silent, is your hobby really looking for nut-based sweets?”
“What!? Shizuma, you can even tell that!? Forget it, you hear me! Forget it!”
“Oh? Then it seems our tastes align, Silent. The tearoom I frequented served an excellent peanut nougat. A fine delicacy.”
“…Tch, I’ll remember that.”

Ah… yes, it really is getting easier. Thinking of everyone, I can feel I understand them more deeply.
Slowly, the overwhelming flood of Rue’s knowledge drifts further from my awareness.

“…It’s getting easier.”
“Oooh, thank goodness! Still, you really pulled through!”
“Of course. Unlike a certain so-called veteran and ‘second character,’ I’m the real deal.”
“You what!? I’ll blow you to pieces someday! With my magic, I swear it!”
“Fu-fu-fu… I’ll be looking forward to it.”

…Seems Still has completely blended in with the rest now.

“…Still, to actually wield such knowledge with one’s own body and will… Rue really is in a different league. Unless you could wipe him out at range with overwhelming force, defeating him is impossible.”
“Silent, why are you already thinking about how to beat him?”
“It just slipped out. Knowledge of martial arts and combat… it’s a terrifying weapon. And now that I see Shizuma can’t fully withstand it… that’s troublesome.”

“Yes, I’ll admit I miscalculated there.”
“I too underestimated the burden. Shizuma has collapsed before from a character’s vast knowledge, and I didn’t consider that enough.”

Still and Sheele apologized with regret, but for me, this had been a test worth attempting.
No need to apologize.

“No, it’s good to have at least touched it once. Don’t apologize. If nothing else, my movement, walking posture, and weapon handling have already improved a lot.”

“Heh… still, surprising, isn’t it? He wasn’t just some silly old grandpa. Compared to him, I feel my knowledge is kind of… lacking. Is mine really useful at all?”

“No, Seira’s knowledge has been really helpful. Choosing shops, picking ingredients—I can even make fairly elaborate dishes now. Honestly, it’s added real colour to my daily life.”

“Really? Hearing that… makes me so happy.”

In truth, Seira’s knowledge was helping me far more than she realized.
Be it conversation topics, daily living, or matters of food—knowledge of cuisine is something you can never have too much of.

I was just trying to focus on thoughts of everyone else, to pull myself even a little away from martial knowledge, when—

From the darkness, a new visitor appeared: Rue.

“Rue! That means you’re asleep right now?”
“Mm, aye. I just drifted off. But I wanted to talk with you a bit, Shizuma, so I came here.”

Considering Rue had surely just lived through a day of upheaval, I braced myself a little, wondering what he wanted to discuss.

“…Suppose this. Suppose the dungeon core could lift the limit on how many people can be summoned at once. Even then, if the will can’t surface, I don’t think it would mean much. Have you learned anything new about that?”

It was about order-summoning.

I had already tried asking Rent about his consciousness during summoning, but unfortunately, he told me he didn’t remember.
There had been the faintest human-like response, so I had hoped… but no progress had come of it.

“I see… The truth is, I had a request. If… if a way is ever found to manifest a true personality, then when that time comes… I’d like to ask that you prioritize summoning me, and let me be permanently stationed in Lindblum.”

“…Do you feel responsible for today’s incident?”

It was, in a sense, a selfish wish.
But knowing what had happened today, I could understand why he would want to make it.

“Besides, won’t Melt-chan and you, Shizuma, eventually go on long journeys of your own? When that time comes, wouldn’t it be good to have at least one guardian constantly stationed in Lindblum?”

“…Well, I can’t decide that on my own. Everyone’s opinion has to be heard. And besides, we still don’t even know how to bring a consciousness to the surface.”

“That… you’re right. This is just my selfishness. Don’t think too much on it. But if someday you find the space for it, I’d like you to consider it.”

Certainly, Rue’s strength would be more than enough to protect the city.
It would be no loss to prioritize him.

“Oh my, how arrogant of you. In fact, wouldn’t it make more sense to prioritize someone like me, who can move about freely and draw the enemy’s attention? Isn’t that right, Master?”

“Still… don’t start competing over this. It’s all hypothetical right now.”

“No, Still. You, of all people, have ‘that’ to consider. For the time being, you should remain inside Shizuma, to prepare for the worst.”

“…Hoh? I see. Seim’s point is valid as well.”

…Again. There was clearly something that only Seim and Still understood between them.
No matter how I asked, they would only say “We can’t talk about it yet,” so I let it go.

“That was all I had to say. If the day comes, just thinking about it is enough for now. Once I wake, I’ll probably be summoned to the royal palace. After that’s done… should I take Seim’s form?”

“Yes, do that. And when you transform, make sure it’s at a time when nobody will see you.”

“Understood. Then I’ll transform inside the house. You can re-enter the city via the underground passage. While you’re at it, it would be wise to check again that there really was no damage from the recent explosion.”

I nodded. True enough—last time, I had only glanced at it while running through. It deserved a proper check.

“Well then, it looks like my waking time is near. I’ll take my leave for now.”
“Yeah. Sorry for pushing the troublesome roles onto you, Rue.”
“No, no. Spending time with my dear granddaughter has made me happy.”
“Haha, you’ve completely become a doting grandpa.”

Even so, if he truly felt joy, then that was enough to make me happy as well.
…Rue’s story, too, while not entirely without hope, was still one burdened with sorrow.
If Melt’s presence could heal him, then for me, that was something deeply comforting as well.

“Well then, everyone—”

And with that, Rue faded from the round table, leaving us all to see him off.

Hmm… yes, it seems I’m still dwelling too much on yesterday’s events.

Unable to rest in bed, I had dozed off sitting on the floor. Now my consciousness awakens.

Outside, it’s raining—an unlucky turn of weather. I have the feeling the rain is trying to melt away the last of the snow. I make my way downstairs.

“Eight o’clock, eh? I suppose I’ll make some bread porridge for when little Melt-chan wakes up.”

So, until she came down, I busied myself alone with the preparations.
Seira’s knowledge had seeped into me as well. It was truly convenient.

“Mm… this is quite fun, isn’t it.”

By the time the prep work had nearly finished and the dish was close to being done, Melt-chan came down from upstairs.

She didn’t seem to be suffering from a hangover, though she did look a little unwell.

“Melt-chan, sit down and rest a while. I’ll bring you something easy to eat, something that will settle your stomach.”
“Mm… thank you, Grandpa…”

Mm, mm. How adorable.

I ladled out some sweet bread porridge—bread lightly simmered in milk, with honey, cinnamon, and a little ginger added—then carried it to the table with a glass of cool water.

“It’s delicious… somehow it’s such a calming flavour. Eating it makes me feel a little sleepy again…”
“Then you should rest a bit more. Someone from the palace may come today, but it will likely just be for greetings. I can handle it alone.”
“I see… then I’ll stay home, okay?”
“Yes, best to take it easy today. And mind your drinking, hmm? You had quite a lot of wine yesterday.”
“Oh… that warm wine was so tasty.”
“Yes, but it’s not juice. If you drink too much, this is what happens.”
“I understand… I’ll be careful next time.”

After finishing the porridge, Melt-chan returned to her room.

I wished I could stay with her, but today there were other matters that had to take priority.

Sure enough, as I expected, I soon heard the faint sound of a carriage stopping on the forest road near the house.

“They’re here.”

Sensing it ahead of time, I readied myself, set my weapon nearby, and directed a sharp killing intent at the door.

…First impressions are important. Since the visitors represent the nation, showing too soft a face now could affect all that comes after.

After a short while, a hesitant knock sounded on the door.
And the voice that followed—

“F-forgive me… is Same-sama, or perhaps the leader of the brigade, present?”
“This voice… it is not Kokuri-san, is it.”

I replied through the door.

“Who are you? State your name.”
“! I am Cres Veil, captain of the knightly order of the Holy Kingdom of Lendia. Her Majesty the Queen expressed her desire to greet the leader of the brigade, so I have come to escort you.”
“…I see. Then step back from the door a little.”

I drew my blade from its sheath, stepped outside, all the while braced as if expecting an ambush.

It was a pose. A way of showing them: we are cautious, we do not trust easily, and we are prepared to become enemies at any moment.

Shizuma might not think it necessary to go this far, but it was.

To keep the proper distance, at least the one seen as “the leader” had to adopt such a stance.

“…Forgive me. Since this is still ‘a land whose friendship is uncertain,’ I allowed myself to be a bit intimidating, a bit wary.”
“…I understand. A carriage is waiting nearby. Will you come with us?”
“Very well. It is also at Same’s request, after all. I’ll be in your care, Captain Cres.”

And so, as the supposed head of the mysterious “brigade,” I set out to meet the queen of this land.

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