Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 163

At the table where Gark—the vice-captain and field commander of the First Raid Unit—and Araza-mir, the clan leader who oversees the entire Killcrawler organization, were waiting, there was a palpable tension. The air felt heavy, making it difficult to approach, and those nearby cast wary glances toward the seat.

“Wow… that’s Killcrawler’s leader and the First Unit’s vice-leader… and Captain Silent is sitting with them.”
“You don’t often see a lineup like that…”
“Even I’m getting nervous just watching…”

With whispers swirling around, I sat down at the table. The two men held out their cups toward me in a gesture for a toast. I raised my own mug, and the crisp sound of clinking glasses rang out.

“So, what business do you have with me?”
“Don’t be so hasty, Sir Silent. Let’s wet our throats first.”
“Indeed. It’s a bit warm today. We’ve just returned from training exercises that doubled as rehabilitation for our injured members, and the thirst has gotten to us.”

When I pressed them for their purpose, they gave that slightly weary answer.
I see… that must be related to the massive underground explosion when my former classmates made their escape.

“This drink… recommended by the proprietor… is remarkably good.”
“Agreed. A touch sweet, but it seeps right into one’s tired body.”
“Ah, that’s called a cola mojito. It’s a drink that’s been gaining popularity in Lindblum lately. They mix a syrup with alcohol and soda water, then add herbs and fruit.”

“Hmm… the fish here is good too. Fine establishment.”
“Yes, indeed. This would be a good place for a celebration once our people are discharged.”
“Ah, the explosion in the Underside. Many of your members were caught up in that, weren’t they?”
“So you’ve heard. Yes… the blast site was near our clan house.”
“Your base is underground?”

“Correct. Since we spend much of our lives in dungeons, it’s more convenient to live underground as well. Familiarity, heightened senses… that sort of thing.”

Remove Ads

…Impressive. Explorers’ clans are thorough, as expected of the largest in the field.

“Now then, before we get to our main purpose… Sir Silent, let us first celebrate your safe return. That war had many suspicious elements. You were involved in what lay behind it, weren’t you?”

“What… is that true? No wonder I sensed something extraordinary about you.”
“I can’t share the details. But I’ll say this much—you’re as sharp as they say, perhaps one of the keenest minds among the Thirteen Knights.”

He’s probably much stronger than the average adventurer or mercenary, but I got the feeling his real specialty lies in strategy and tactics. Judging by both his reputation and the way others defer to him, I’d say that’s accurate.

We spent some time eating and drinking more than speaking, and once things had settled a bit, I pressed again: “So. What’s the matter?”

“I’ll let Gark explain. He’s the one who raised the issue. Go ahead.”
“Yes. It ties back to what we spoke of earlier…”

Gark began to explain the current situation surrounding Killcrawler.

First, the large-scale underground explosion had left the majority of their members either seriously or lightly injured.

In fact, nearly everyone who hadn’t been scattered throughout the Underside as security during Lord Allheus’ incident—and had instead remained in the clan house—had suffered injuries.

Those with lighter wounds had begun rehabilitation and were being assigned to guard duties, to ensure no repeat of an incident like the Abyssfang rampage. They couldn’t tackle dungeons yet, but they could manage sentry work.

Still, with some members diverted to security, they had too few left to focus on their true mission—dungeon exploration. That was Killcrawler’s current dilemma.

“Furthermore, since last month’s announcement about dungeon cores, there’s been renewed movement to conquer our country’s last natural mega-dungeon. Frankly, if it’s fellow countrymen who secure the core, they’re likely to sell it to the state. That’s acceptable.”

“But on the other hand, the number of foreign explorers is increasing. Starting next month, a major clan from the Consold Empire will be arriving alongside a noble delegation to challenge our dungeons. So we can’t just sit idle. We’ve decided to recruit new members. We no longer have the luxury of waiting for our injured to recover at leisure.”

“I follow. And… what is it you want from me? If it’s a recruitment pitch, forget it.”

“Of course. We know that’s impossible. You were, without question, a key figure in the war. An adventurer of Sapphire Rank, a member of the fabled Brigade, and among its greatest assets.”

“Then what are you asking?”

“This is where I speak. Sir Silent, we’d like you to approach your Brigade leader with a proposal: to dispatch Shizuma to us, even temporarily, on secondment. I hold him in high regard. He’s versatile, works well with my team leader, and above all… though it’s not public knowledge, he has conquered the Lindblum Nest.”

“What…?”

They want Shizuma…? I knew they valued him, but I never imagined this highly. We’d fought together in an artificial dungeon, sure, and they’d made hints before… but still.

“I’ve not met this Shizuma myself,”

Araza-mir added.

“But if both Gark and Rivana recommend him so strongly, I can’t ignore it. This is no poaching attempt. Rather, for the expedition into the ‘Dead Sea that Devours the Earth,’ we need reinforcements. With Shizuma, we’d greatly strengthen our chances. Please, would you convey this to your leader?”

That’s… the dungeon on Yasha Island, the one Shuris asked us to head for, isn’t it? We’re going there anyway, so cooperation might not be out of the question.

But… I have my own mission: gathering dungeon cores to expand my Order Summons. If the state demands the core, my goal will be thwarted.

“If—when—we conquer it, and if the Brigade is allowed to keep the dungeon core, then I’ll accept.”

I said it expecting them to refuse outright. But—

Remove Ads

“That’s acceptable. So long as it doesn’t fall into foreign hands, it’s fine. Honestly, I believe our country has already entered a new era of prosperity. We may no longer need additional cores. Though of course, they have uses. But truthfully… if your Brigade puts its full strength into it, wouldn’t you outpace us in conquering the dungeon anyway?”

“Wh—are you serious? That’s a pretty outrageous condition, even I know that.”

“It’s fine. Our main goal is preventing the core from falling to outsiders. And also… to put that dungeon into dormancy.”

With that, he revealed another motive.
Put the dungeon to sleep…?

“As the name suggests, that dungeon… the deep shaft that stretches down to the seabed continues to grow, slowly eroding the ocean floor beneath this continent. The effects are already beginning to show at the port. No large-scale damage has occurred yet, but the currents are becoming unstable, with high waves and whirlpools frequently forming. Since that sea area is the gateway to our nation, we want to stabilize it as soon as possible by conquering the dungeon.”

“I see. With circumstances like that, I can understand. You want Shizuma sent to you, right? I’ll bring it up with the captain, but there shouldn’t be any issue. Strictly speaking, Shizuma isn’t officially a member of our brigade—he’s not someone we can bind to our orders. I’m sure he’ll agree without trouble.”

“Truly!? Excellent… excellent! We did it, leader! With Shizuma on our side, he can serve not just as a fighter, but as a scout—and even as a cook if need be!”

“Oh… such a wide array of talents, is it? No wonder you and Rivana want him so badly.”
“We’ll have to inform the unit leader too. Captain! Captain Rivana! Please, come here a moment!”

Excited, Gark called over to Rivena, who was drinking with Melt and Remiya at another table.

Rivena staggered over, cola mojito in hand.

“Hm? What is it?”
“Captain, it looks like we’ll be able to borrow Shizuma!”
“! Really!?”
“Yes, Sir Silent says it should be fine!”
“Silent… is that true?”

Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, and her expression grew even more heated as she pressed me for an answer. …Come to think of it, she was pretty persistent in trying to recruit him before.

“Yeah, no problem. But I doubt Shizuma will act without Melt. If you borrow Shizuma, Melt will automatically be dispatched alongside him.”

Right, I’d almost forgotten. I don’t know how long Shizuma’s secondment will last, but Melt can’t be left alone. The two of them must be together—non-negotiable.

“Fine by me. Melt is strong.”
“Oh? That Melt… is she the fox woman over at that table?”
“That’s right. Melt’s a Ruby-ranked adventurer. I vouch for her strength.”
“Indeed… I recall she managed to briefly match blades with the Captain before.”

So they’d fought before… must have been when we first visited the Underside.

“I’m looking forward to it. Alright, I’ll go back.”
“Sorry to call you over.”

Rivana staggered back to her seat. Clearly, she wasn’t used to drinking much.

“Well then, I’m glad we’ve reached an agreement. Sir Silent, I’ll leave the matter of the secondment in your hands.”
“Understood. Conveniently enough, Shizuma was planning to come to this city anyway. I’ll talk it through with him.”

Either way, I’d been planning to head to Kokuri’s place as Shizuma. I wonder what reason she had for summoning him this time…?

Remove Ads

With the troublesome negotiations finished, the rest of the night was left to everyone to spend as they pleased. When I returned to my table, one of Killcrawler’s members—Busker—came over to greet me.

Apparently, word had spread through him that I’d gone to war. He tried to apologize about it, but I told him it wasn’t something he needed to apologize for.

“Anyway, soon I’ll be sending someone under my care your way. I don’t know if you’ll end up together, but please keep an eye out for him. Of course, Melt will be with him.”
“Huh? Huh? What about me?”

…Ah, looks like Melt’s hearing this after the fact.

“Melt, before long, I want you to go with Shizuma and help Killcrawler. They’re planning to challenge an island dungeon.”

“I see, understood! I’ll be with Shizuma, right? Yay, yay!”
“That sword of yours will see some action right away.”
“Exactly!”
“So, it’s the young man we trained alongside, then. I see. If anything happens, I promise I’ll step in to help. But honestly, if he’s with you, Miss Melt, I doubt there’ll be a problem.”

As expected, Melt happily accepted, and Busker readily agreed too.

It’s quite the formidable lineup… but the fact they’re still this careful about reinforcing their team shows just how dangerous this dungeon must be.

I’d better steel myself as well. Not in the sense of risking my life, but rather being prepared to reveal information—showing some of the cards I’ve kept hidden.

“Sir Silent… after this, what will you… do?”

So asked Remiya, sitting next to Melt, clearly drunk and sleepy.

…Meanwhile, Rivana was already dozing peacefully at the table. The fact that Melt wasn’t drunk at all by now was strange… unless it was the “cola bonus” at work.

“Me? Well, once I’ve spoken with Shizuma, I’ll head straight to the captain. After that… I’ll probably go hunting monsters out on Golda’s land.”

“Leaving again…? That’s lonely…”

“That’s not like you. You’re quite drunk, Remiya.”

Remove Ads

“Mm… yes. I’m lonely, and I’m drunk. I wish… you could stay in this city longer…”

“…Sorry about that.”

I really have… been quite liked by her.

I wonder what Silent thinks about all of this.

Someday, when I hand my body back to him, what will become of this relationship, of her feelings?

Maybe it’s just the alcohol talking, but I found myself dwelling on those thoughts a little more than usual—

After that, since we had started drinking before sunset, we broke up just before midnight. This time, I paid for everyone, including the Killcrawler group’s share.

I was more or less the host anyway, since I was the one who invited everyone, so I didn’t mind. In any case, hoarding wealth without spending it just causes the economy to stagnate.

And so, I ended up paying thirteen large gold coins—about 650,000 yen—for one night’s drinking, and with that we disbanded.

…Remiya had been quite drunk, but when it came time to part ways, she straightened her back and strode off briskly. Clearly, she’s trained for this—I was impressed.

On the other hand, Rivana… had to be carried home on Gark’s back.

“Well then, you all take care too. I’ll be leaving the city for a while.”

“Yes, Captain Silent! Please stay well!”

“Mm. If you’re nearby again, come visit. Just say you’re looking for Easton of the Scholars’ Guild—my name carries some weight.”

“Got it. In that case, Easton, have a bar ready for us by the next time we meet.”

With that, I also said my goodbyes to the subjugation squad, and then Melt and I headed home together.

“…By the way, Melt, you’re not very drunk this time, are you?”

“Hehehe! Last time I got drunk and fell asleep, so I prepared properly this time! I made a potion back in Isbel that reduces intoxication! I drank it before we started.”

“Ooh…! That really works well. You could probably sell that, you know?”

“Maybe? Hm… perhaps I should join the Apothecary Guild someday?”

I think that’s a great idea. She probably knows recipes for tonics that aren’t harmful to the body, too. With more laborers coming to this country, demand would surely be high.

“Well then, let’s go home, Silent!”

“Yeah, let’s go home.”

After long journeys, expeditions, and being away from the city for so long, what happiness it is to have a home waiting to return to.

It’s something that seems ordinary, but isn’t ordinary at all. Thinking of that precious place we belong to, we walked together under the deep night sky.