Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 88
When we arrived at the royal palace, the same gatekeeper from last night greeted Melt with a warm smile.
“Young lady, you’ve risen in the world, huh? I was told that if you show up today, you and your companion are to be let through without delay.”
“Wow, really?! That’s kind of moving!”
“Then I’ll hold onto your sword here. You too, the one in the back—okay with that?”
I handed over the sword I’d prepared for today to the gatekeeper.
[Trainee Soldier’s Bastard Sword]
[A versatile hand-and-a-half sword.]
Grants enhanced experience gain.
[EXP Gain +20%]
It’s not strong, but it’s commonly used for training.
Of course, it’s not high-performing, and in the real world, it felt noticeably heavy in my hands.
It’s probably supposed to be heavier as a training weapon—that’s the in-game logic, anyway.
I handed it over quietly to the guard—
“Whoa!? This thing’s heavy…! Alright, I’ll take care of it.”
“Here’s my dagger too. Please take it.”
“All set. You’re free to enter.”
Now, the question was—where were we being led today?
“Turns out, we’re headed to the arena.”
“Good luck, Shizuma!”
The soldier guiding us brought us to none other than the royal arena.
I knew it! I recognized the path from when I came here as Same!
I thought the first thing would be an audience with the queen—but no, she’s just watching from the stands!
“Hmm… he’s still just a boy, isn’t he?”
“I turned seventeen this year.”
“I see. My apologies. I thought you were a bit younger…”
Standing in the arena, facing me fully equipped, was Cres.
It seemed this really was just a test of strength. She was only armed with a standard-looking wooden spear today.
Her armour appeared to be the kind of cloth armour typically worn under metal armour.
Even so, compared to my simple clothes, she looked far more prepared.
As for me, I was wearing what looked like normal clothes, and oddly enough, I had been allowed to use my own sword—yes, the very same one I had just handed over was now brought back to me…
“Apologies for the suddenness, but the matter is urgent. If you truly intend to approach your former comrades, I must assess your abilities. Please understand.”
“Understood. What are the win or termination conditions for this match?”
“Land a single blow on me or break my weapon. Judging by the weight of that sword, if I take a clean hit, this wooden spear won’t hold. Come at me with everything you’ve got.”
“Got it.”
Yeah… things are moving quickly now.
No point overthinking it—I just have to face this head-on.
“Here I come!”
There was no formal signal—just immediate action.
Like during the tunnel run, I activated every skill available and charged in at full speed.
I slipped slightly on the arena’s dirt floor, but still managed to close the distance faster than I ever did as Same. Using that momentum, I swung my slightly heavy sword upward from the hip with full force, aiming at Cres.
With a powerful whoosh of air, the sword flew—but Cres expertly diverted its trajectory with her spear at just the right angle.
Yet, my stance didn’t break. Ignoring the weight and momentum, I immediately sidestepped around her, canceling the attack motion mid-flow and moving to her off-hand side.
“Too naive.”
“!?”
Before I realized it, a second spear—previously unseen—was now gripped in what I thought had been her free hand, thrusting toward me.
I narrowly twisted my body to avoid it.
While still moving from the dodge, I dropped my hips and went for a leg sweep.
Thanks to [Dancer’s Insight], my unarmed combat speed was far greater than with the sword.
But her spear’s butt-end countered quickly—blocking the sweep.
…No, she didn’t just block it.
“Zua… fly!”
“What!?”
She must’ve misjudged the power behind the sweep.
Cres’s wooden spear couldn’t withstand the force and snapped near the base.
She probably thought I’d try to break it with the sword.
But truthfully, at this point, my kicks are stronger and faster than my sword swings.
She got distracted by the sword and paid the price.
“Weapon destroyed. That completes the objective.”
“I… I’m surprised. I never expected that much power from a kick in that position… I thought you were just trying to break my stance.”
“You were cautious of the sword, right? It looks heavier than it is, so I figured you’d assume it was meant to compensate for lack of strength.”
“Exactly. Hm… You’re impressive. Not just your raw talent, but how you put your strategy together.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to hear that.”
I guess I’ve managed to demonstrate my strength—for now.
After leaving the arena, I was taken by Cres to the audience chamber.
“So you’re seventeen… Do people from your world all look so young?”
“Not necessarily. I think there are people here who look young too. It’s probably a racial difference. People from my ethnic group are often mistaken for being younger—probably due to height and facial features.”
“That’s true—you do have a youthful face. I thought you were maybe a tall twelve-year-old.”
“Wha… That young!?”
“Yes. Even though you’re about as tall as me. My boots have high heels, so without them we might be the same height.”
“I see… I’m 174 centimeters tall.”
“Centimeters? Hmm, must be your unit of measurement. We use sais and mails here. I’m 1 mail and 72 sais—maybe that’s 172 centimeters in your terms.”
Along the way, Kres kept chatting cheerfully.
She must have really enjoyed our match—she kept asking questions.
“Shizuma, was it? In this conflict, you’ll be facing people you once knew. I’m sure you have feelings I can’t understand. But once you’ve overcome that—what do you seek?”
“Well… nothing in particular. Honestly, I just want the people blindly following Golda to start thinking for themselves. Once they take responsibility for their crimes, they’re free to go live their lives however they want.”
“Hmm. That’s rather… straightforward.”
“Yeah, I don’t have much attachment to them. We split up right after being summoned, after all.”
“I see… So what about you, Shizuma?”
“I’ll return to the Same’s brigade. Same has left the brigade to stay in this country and live freely as an adventurer. I’ll travel the world freely with the brigade.”
That’s the story I’m sticking to—for now.
Eventually, I want it to be natural for “Shizuma” to appear in different places as himself. It’s important to build that impression early.
After all, I didn’t choose my online avatar to change my appearance—I chose it to gain power.
“Shizuma, you were amazing! You fought the commander properly!”
“If it had come down to weapon clashes, I probably would’ve lost in one hit.”
“Yeah, I think so too. The commander really is strong, huh?”
“Haha, I’m flattered. Melt, was it? What kind of training does Shizuma do in the brigade?”
“Oh, I’m not usually involved with the brigade. I live in Lindblum.”
“I see. Then you’re also a citizen we’re sworn to protect.”
“Hehe, yep, I’m a citizen! That actually makes me really happy, hearing it like that.”
This person truly takes pride in being a knight—and in protecting her people.
As we chatted, we arrived at the massive doors to the audience chamber.
As always, the colour scheme and imposing design made it feel like the entrance to the Demon Lord’s castle…
“Wow… it’s really made of beautiful red stone. Is it red marble stone, I wonder?”
“Yes, that’s right. In the past, our country Lendia had many volcanic remains, so there was a time when stones like these were widely produced. Nowadays, in exchange, the lands around Lindblum have become more fertile.”
“…Cres, I’ll also ask Same to use the dungeon core for this country’s sake. I think he’s already made up his mind to dedicate himself to this nation. And of course, the brigade as well.”
“Shizuma… I hope so. But don’t push yourself. You’re currently under the brigade’s care, right? Don’t do anything that might destabilize your position. But, if you ever find it hard to stay there, you’re always welcome in this country. You could even aim to join the knight order.”
“Haha…”
…Have I really done anything to raise Cres’s opinion of me this much?
I guess satisfying her in that match really made a big impression…
She wasn’t like this with me when I was Seim.
Maybe it’s the ‘Crimson Howl’ after all that rubbed her the wrong way!
…I’ll make sure not to use it as Shizuma.
“Well then, Her Majesty is waiting ahead. Be sure not to be disrespectful.”
“Yes.”
“Should I go in as well?”
“Hmm… Yes, that would probably be best.”
With that, the two of us entered the audience chamber.
Since I’ve experienced this once already as Same, I know what kind of etiquette is required, but I wonder if Melt will be alright.
I couldn’t very well look back, so I kept my gaze lowered and proceeded forward through the chamber before kneeling.
“!”
I heard the rustle of clothes from behind—Melt seemed to have mimicked me.
“Raise your heads.”
“Yes.”
“Yes!”
As we lifted our faces, just as I expected, the queen stood looking down at us with a regal presence.
“Your battle earlier was splendid. You must have devised your strategy carefully to meet the conditions for victory. Is it a testament to your origins as a visitor from another world, or the guidance of Same and his companions?”
“I believe it is thanks to the teachings and mentorship of those who came before me.”
“I see. Now… is it true that you are one of the summoned from another world?”
“Yes. And I believe the ones hiding in this country may be from the same homeland as me.”
“…Are you capable of fighting them?”
“I’m not saying a battle is inevitable. But… if the time comes, I won’t hesitate. I’ve already chosen a different path from theirs.”
“Yet, you still intend to try persuading them?”
“Yes. I believe this is necessary to prevent monsters from appearing in the Noble District, a place with great influence in this country. Same mentioned it before, and I agree with him. If not handled well, it could be seen as a national disgrace.”
“Indeed. Hmm… you have a more mature way of thinking than I expected. I can see why Same trusts you. Now, you’re here to request a permit to enter our nation’s artificial dungeon, correct?”
“Yes. Honestly, I think the only reason Commander Cres acknowledged me earlier was due to the element of surprise and some mental trickery. I lack true strength and skill. After discussing with Same, we concluded that taking on the artificial dungeon is the most efficient way to improve in a short time.”
“Very well. Preparations are currently underway for the upcoming operation in the Noble District. There is still time. If those from another world really do grow faster than normal humans, then I will believe in that potential and grant you the permit. This situation has already gone beyond a conflict between individuals from another world—it is now a prelude to a conflict between nations. Keep that in mind and train diligently.”
“Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“But be careful. Recently, strange and powerful monsters have occasionally been appearing in our artificial dungeon. Of course, we are taking countermeasures… but no, I will trust in the strength of a summoned one.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
Now I can finally begin the last stage of my preparations…
“Currently, a clan of seasoned dungeon explorers—one of our country’s best—is back in the area. They’re likely holding beginner training sessions daily at the artificial dungeon. You should try attending at least once.”
“I see. Thank you for the valuable information.”
“Good. Give my regards to Same.”
With that, the audience came to an end, and only Melt and I exited the audience chamber.
Cres remained behind, and so did Kokuri-san, who hadn’t spoken a word today.
It seems they’re already moving behind the scenes for the operation in the Noble District.
“Shall we go check out the artificial dungeon together, Melt?”
“Yes! I’m curious to see what it’s like!”
The three who remained in the audience chamber: the Queen, Captain Cres, and Kokuri.
They began exchanging words about the person who had just left—Shizuma, said to be a summoned being from another world.
“Kokuri, did you notice anything suspicious in Shizuma’s words?”
“Yes… Overall, I’d say it was half-truths and half-lies. But the lies were limited to matters concerning his own future. I believe the possibility of him turning against this country is low. It seems he’s already prepared himself for the prospect of having to kill his former comrades.”
“Hmph, what do you mean by lies about his future, Kokuri?”
“I felt some falsehood regarding whether or not he’ll return to the Brigade. It’s possible he’s considering joining our country… or perhaps, after eliminating his old comrades, he plans to return to Golda. That’s only a possibility, of course.”
“Ngh… Shizuma isn’t that kind of person. He’ll become a straightforward, good warrior.”
“You’ve taken quite a liking to him, haven’t you?”
“Yes, even though he’s still young—or rather, I suppose he’s not a child anymore. But he has qualities that will shine with polish. He’s smart, too. He’ll make a fine warrior.”
“Hehe… Indeed, I sensed talent in him. As I spoke with him, he reminded me of Same in some ways.”
Indeed, it’s only natural that their words and mannerisms resemble one another, since they’re the same person.
“That said, I did feel from him—as with Same—an unusual aura, a magic power I couldn’t quite grasp. A complex magic, woven from many different attributes.”
“Hm… He said he was from a Brigade, didn’t he? Perhaps it’s a group made up entirely of people with ‘special circumstances’ like that.”
Doubts were present—but fortunately, they hadn’t grown into full-blown suspicion.
Whether it was due to trust, or simply a desire not to upset him and risk losing the dungeon core, was unclear.
“Kokuri, how’s the groundwork for temporarily sealing off the noble district?”
“Yes. I’ve already made arrangements for four days from now—the date of the planned operation. I’ve sent notices requesting that no banquets be held, and for noble families to refrain from traveling outside the city. This time, I used Her Majesty’s name.”
“That’s fine. Cres, what about closing the city gates?”
“No problem there. We already have strict inspections during the night. A one-day closure won’t cause much disruption.”
“Good. Lastly… what of the groundwork concerning the Underside—the underground district?”
“Unfortunately, I’ve concluded that it’s too difficult to handle in such a short time. We’ll limit ourselves to guarding the entrances and exits on the day of the operation.”
“As expected. That area is the turf of the country’s shadowy power brokers. Many nobles are indirectly connected to it. In some ways, we must be even more cautious there than in the noble district. We’ll have to abandon any plan to take control of it this time.”
The plan to trap the traitors to the kingdom was progressing steadily.
There were four days remaining.
How much could Shizuma grow in that time—?