Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 63
To be extra cautious, I exited the city from the East Gate, then veered off into the forest partway, using the hidden door behind the giant rock to return home.
As I thought, being able to return in a straight line is convenient. It might actually be faster than going through the city.
Running along the maintained path without anyone in my way… it’s refreshing and efficient.
“…As I thought, I can hear sounds coming from beyond the wall at this spot…”
I pressed my ear against the wall—likely beneath the South Gate area—to confirm.
Eventually, I’d like to investigate this place in more detail.
“Now then… just to be sure, I’ll avoid the fireplace exit… and try going up these stairs.”
On the off chance that Melt brought a guest home, I opted to take the branch route that probably leads to the second floor of the house.
As expected, the key reacted here too, and a wall that looked like a dead end opened up.
“This is… the bedroom where I slept with Melt yesterday, isn’t it?”
The wall right beside the large bed, next to the side table, opened up and let me enter the house.
As I made my way to the first floor, I heard irregular sounds—plunk, plonk—as if Melt was fiddling with a piano in the next room, probably the parlor.
“Melt, I’m back.”
“Ah! Sheele!”
When I opened the room’s door, sure enough, there was Melt sitting in front of the piano, awkwardly pressing the keys one finger at a time.
“Hey, hey, Sheele—can you play the piano?”
“Hmm… I know the theory, but I’m not much better than Same.”
“I see. Could you play something for me?”
“Then I’ll try something simple…”
I must apologize—I do have some knowledge, like “healing effects of music” and “declining techniques during the transition to modern music” from academic papers, oddly enough.
But I possess no actual talent for music.
At best, I can tap out a simple tune with one finger—something like what Shizuma might’ve learned in elementary school.
So… I’ll play “Puff”—the really easy version, meant for a recorder.
“It’s kind of a fun song, huh~?”
“Sorry, this is about all I can manage. Anyway… Melt, I’ve mostly achieved my goals for today, so I’m thinking of returning to my original personality and form—Shizuma—just to confirm everything.”
“Aww, Shiele, you’re leaving already?”
“I’m sorry.”
But honestly, I can no longer say I’m the same person deep down.
Little by little, my personality is establishing itself as a distinct individual.
This might actually be a serious issue.
I truly wish… that I could be one with Shizuma, together with everyone else.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how Silent—who should be stronger than I am—has merged seamlessly with Shizuma, despite still affecting him a bit.
Maybe… the reason I can’t merge isn’t about character strength at all.
“It’s okay. Even if I change back, I’m still inside Shizuma, and inside everyone else. I’ll always be watching over you, Melt.”
“Hmm… okay. Ah, but wait a sec! Sheele, aren’t you supposed to be the smartest one?”
“Technically speaking, yes. What is it?”
“Well, it’s about something that happened today—”
Melt began recounting her day in vivid, precise detail.
What happened, what she learned—she shared it all.
“—and that’s what happened. He apologized, sure, but I just… can’t fully forgive him.”
“Hmm… the Underside, huh…”
That must be the source of the noise I heard underground.
Given its location, it’s the perfect hiding place for fugitives.
The guild is probably wary of that too.
But… someone suspicious just vanished without a trace? That’s worth investigating.
“Still… a candidate for the Thirteen Knights, you say? Funny enough, I actually met one of the Thirteen myself today.”
“Wow! What were they like? Like Awa-Awa?”
“No, his name was Vias—a man. He gave off a slightly intimidating vibe, but I judged him to be a kind, caring person. He’s not an adventurer, but a mercenary.”
“Ooh!”
That aside… a clan affiliated with the Explorers’ Guild, led by an active Thirteen Knight, and with members on par with the Thirteen Knights in ability, has returned to the city.
Could it be… the Queen is already gathering her forces in Lindblum?
If so… then a war with Golda might be closer than expected.
Perhaps it’s time for me—as Same—to go inform the Queen of our collective intent.
“Melt, thank you for sharing such important information. Now then, I’ll return to being Shizuma for a while. I may have to act as him for a bit. As you may recall, Shizuma is in his weakest state, so… please protect him if you can.”
“Okay, I got it!”
Now, I operate the menu… and select “Log Out.”
At that moment, my consciousness fades—
Consciousness rises. At the same time, a torrent of knowledge, information, and thoughts rushes in.
I can’t open my eyes. My head feels heavy. What position is my body in right now?
Am I sitting? Standing? I can’t tell… I don’t know… anything.
My awareness fades… I’m swallowed by the swirl of thought—
“What do I do… what do I do… I can’t call anyone… I shouldn’t call anyone… please wake up… Shizuma, wake up…”
I hear Melt’s voice close to my ear.
Consciousness floats up again. My mind clears.
I open my eyes. I see some kind of fabric.
I turn my head—and meet Melto’s eyes, peering down at me.
“Ahh… thanks for carrying me to the sofa?”
“Shizuma’s awake!!!! You woke up!!!! Thank goodness… thank goodness~!!!”
“How long was I out?”
“I don’t know! You wouldn’t wake up at all~!”
“Seriously…? Sorry for worrying you.”
When I return to my original body, all the knowledge and experience from every character floods back at once.
While I’m playing as Same, that consciousness exists somewhere else—like cloud storage—and when I switch characters or return to my original form, it all gets dumped back into me.
And I collapsed because I’m weak.
Come to think of it, even Sheele experienced something like dizziness or a headache earlier.
Maybe I should start transforming back into Shizuma once a day, like before bed.
“Ah… I don’t think there’s anything physically wrong with me, so don’t worry.”
“Really? You’re not pushing yourself? Shizuma, your body is weak, right?”
“No, not that kind of weak… I think.”
Wait… does Melt think I’m sickly or something?
“Most likely, all the experiences, knowledge, and memories from being Sheele and Same came flooding into me all at once, and my brain just short-circuited.”
“Whaaat!? Your head exploded!? Your brain went boom!?”
Melt recoiled in fear, trembling slightly.
“It’s okay, that won’t happen. I think.”
“Really, it’s fine. I’m fine. Yeah… I’m okay.”
My thoughts clear up. I can fully understand Sheele’s intentions.
Sheele wants to review everything achieved today. And based on that, she wants me, the original, to decide what to do next.
I open the menu screen and check my status.
HP: 120
Strength: 120
Magic: 70
Mental Strength: 90
Agility: 70
[Growth Rate: MAX – Fully Reflected]
[Blessing of the Silver Fox] ← NEW
[Keen Observation] ← NEW
[Beginner Enchant Magic] ← NEW
[Survival Instinct] ← NEW
[High-Speed Movement]
[Throwing]
[Cooking Lv1]
[Crafting Lv1]
[Sewing Lv1]
[Swordsmanship Lv1]
[Archery Lv1] ← NEW
[Hunter’s Knowledge Lv1] ← NEW
[Scholar’s Knowledge Lv1] ← NEW
[Thief’s Knowledge Lv1]
[Swordsman’s Knowledge Lv1]
[Warrior’s Knowledge Lv1]
[Mercenary’s Knowledge Lv1]
“This… means Sheele’s experiment was a success.”
Most likely, Sheele had intentionally used Keen Observation and Beginner Enchant Magic repeatedly so that I would inherit them.
And it worked—those skills were successfully passed on to me.
But what Sheele had been thinking about at the end wasn’t just skills—it was about selfhood and personality.
She wanted to merge with me. But she also wondered why Silent, who’s even stronger than her, could blend with my consciousness while she couldn’t.
“Maybe… it’s my fault.”
“Huh? What is it, Shizuma? Something wrong? You can talk to me about anything, okay? I’m probably older than you anyway! So go ahead, tell me!”
“Wait, what’s with the big-sister act all of a sudden, Melt?”
“Hehe! Because Sheele asked me to look after you! So seriously, tell me anything! Oh, and by the way! My birthday’s May 5th! When’s yours, Shizuma?”
“Huh? February 3rd, I guess.”
For some reason, Melt suddenly asked my birthday. When I answered, she collapsed to her knees.
“No way…! I’m not the older one…!?”
“Ah, I see. It’s okay, Melt. I rely on you, and you can rely on me too. We’re… family, after all.”
It’s a little embarrassing, but I say how I really feel.
I see now—before, I could never have said something like that.
The experiences I had as Same, Silent, and Sheele have helped me grow, even just a little.
“You really are just like Same… You’re so mature, Shizuma.”
“I don’t know about that. And… it’s true Sheele asked you to look after me, and that I’m weak. Honestly, if we fought now, I probably wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”
“Really? Then… okay! Let’s arm wrestle!”
“Hmm… That actually sounds like a good test.”
We move the side table and prepare for an arm wrestling match.
Melt’s hand is small… but it’s clearly the hand of someone who fights.
Well-trained.
“Okay, on my count! One, two… go!”
“Guh…!”
I put all my strength into it.
Based on the stats I saw earlier and what I know of regular soldiers from the audience chamber in Golda, my stats should definitely be above average in this world.
But even so—I can’t move Melt’s hand even a little.
“Mmm… yeah, maybe you’re not stronger than me right now.”
“Ghh… grrr…”
Thud—my hand is gently pushed to the table.
Melt… is really strong, huh?
“Are you okay? Your hand’s not hurt?”
She gently strokes the back of my hand with concern—it’s kind of ticklish and a little embarrassing.
Luckily, it doesn’t hurt at all.
“I’m fine. But wow, Melt… you’re really strong, huh? I knew people in this world get stronger physically when they grow, but to think you’ve got that much power in those slender arms…”
“Yeah—maybe it’s because I’m a Silver Foxkin? I might be stronger than average.”
“Makes sense…”
“But you’re strong too, Shizuma! At the very least, I don’t think most adults could beat you now.”
“Really?”
“Yep. You know… strength isn’t just about training your body. You have to fight other people and monsters, absorb their power, expand your inner capacity… Only then can you grow beyond your past self. I think you’ve got the potential to get much stronger.”
“Seriously? Sounds like there’s more to it than I thought…”
Most likely, this is one of the perks of being a summoned existence.
In that case, yeah… it’s clear I need to train myself and get stronger too.
“I need to think about what I’ll do from here on…”
“Are you talking about the Dungeon Core?”
“That too. I think we should inform the Queen as soon as possible about our intentions—to use the Core for the good of this country. But at the same time, I’m worried… that doing so might trigger a war.”
“War… I don’t know much about it, but I understand it’s not a good thing. I’ve never read any books that explain it in detail, but… I do know that big conflicts… result in a lot of people… losing their lives.”
“Yeah, exactly. That’s why I want to move carefully. And I want to be… prepared.”
It’s a gut feeling. Considering the Muraki situation, if war does break out, I’m certain I’ll eventually come face-to-face with my former classmates—now heroes of Golda—somewhere on the battlefield.
And when that happens… I want to face them as myself, as Shizuma.
Not as Same, not as Silent. Me—as me—I want to settle things with my past.
That’s why… I need to become stronger.
This isn’t about revenge. I don’t intend it to be. I just want to show them the truth.
I want to point out that they’re merely being used—and that they’ve chosen the wrong country to serve.
…They were summoned as hero candidates too. If left unchecked, they could become powerful enemies.
From Sheele’s point of view, I think she believed it was essential that the final decisions be made by me—the true self—so she handed control back to me instead of continuing as Same.
Of course, she probably also wanted to see the test results confirmed with her own eyes.
But there’s one more reason… a big advantage to thinking things through as myself.
Sure, Same, Silent, or Sheele could probably do the same things.
But I’m the one who raised over twenty characters and fully mastered the game.
That’s my edge.
Because of that, I can figure it out—what’s the most efficient path for me to grow stronger?
By considering the performance, skills, and acquisition conditions of every character, I can determine the most optimal strategy for my own growth.