Kays Translations

Chapter 02: Premonition of Insects

"So we’ll be taking care of Nina-chan here... Does that mean she's staying overnight?" 

"Yes, that's right."

Irena-san's expression was dead serious when she said that. There was no sense of joking or playing around.

"But why all of a sudden... an overnight stay? Until now, Nina-chan has always been alone when you went to work..."

"There's a reason for that, of course."

With the "Guiding Thread Silvate, I lifted the kettle and took out a teapot and tea leaves from the shelves. To an observer, it might have looked like various utensils were floating in the air, preparing tea on their own.

"What is the reason?"

"I have a bad feeling about it."

"A bad feeling?"

I repeated Irena-san's words. It was a rather vague statement.

"Itsuki-san, have you heard about the increased appearance rate of monsters lately?"

"uh-huh, it's the first time I've heard of it..."

Really? I hadn't noticed.

But now that I think about it, my father and Renji-san have been away for work all the time recently.

Exorcists often go on long business trips, so I didn't think much of it... So the number of monsters has been increasing.

...Why?

"That's not a normal increase either. It's about 1.5 to 2 times more than usual. Due to that, the number of exorcists and monster slayers has decreased significantly... I'm worried about leaving Nina alone."

"So, that’s why you brought her here."

"Yes, I thought I could feel relieved if Itsuki-san was here."

".........."

I felt a little overwhelmed by her words.

Sure, I'm a "Seventh Rank" exorcist, and I have two relics.

I keep up with my daily training, but I don't consider myself strong enough to confidently say that I can protect someone.

People make mistakes.

There's always the possibility of something unexpected happening.

Even adults can die easily.

Yes. People can die so easily.

Just one stab with a knife to the chest, and even an adult would die.

Of course, I don't want anything to happen to Nina-chan. Protecting her is a given.

That's why I was hesitating about how to respond and decided to change the subject.

"Why are there more monsters?"

"Experts are still investigating it, but there are a few possible reasons."

"Experts?"

"Yes. People within the exorcist community are exchanging opinions using an internet community."

An internet community... Oh, right.

The one that caused a bit of an uproar after I exorcised the Raikou-Douji.

This house still doesn't have a fixed Wi-Fi, and my parents use the minimum required internet connection. So I sometimes forget, but the exorcists have created an online community.

I see, that's where the discussion is taking place.

"There are three main reasons that have been brought up."

"Three reasons..."

"The first is a periodic one. There are times and periods when monsters are more likely to appear."

As I thought about that, I poured the tea from the teapot. The color of the green tea looked beautiful. For my first attempt, it turned out quite nice, don't you think?

"For example, in well-known cases, it happened in the late 16th to 17th century. It was precisely during the time of the witch hunts."

"Hmm..."

In Japan, there was a significant event known as 'Silk Magic Shijutsu,' and in Europe, it was the rise of 'Alchemy Elements.' Both events became quite popular during their respective times.

"So, is this one of those periods?"

"It's a possibility. The second is the emergence of 'Spots.'"

"Spots?"

I didn't know that term, and I stopped in the middle of putting tea on the tray and looked at Irena-san.

"Spots are places where monsters are more likely to be born. Haven't you heard about it? Like the Tower of London, the Catacombs, Mount Osore. Such spots exist all over the world."

"I see."

I groaned, learning about this existence for the first time.

"There might be several of them popping up all over Japan. That's what people are saying."

"Do such spots appear in multiple locations at the same time?"

"Yes, it's quite rare."

I nodded in understanding at Irena's words and picked up the serving tray. Using 'Guiding Thread Silvate,' I brought the tea sweets closer.

"What's the third possibility?"

"It's the possibility of 'Fifth Rank' or higher monsters appearing."

"Uh-huh."

Yes, Fifth Rank or higher monsters can create subordinates.

And those individuals use the 'Hidden' magic to avoid being detected by 'Detection Magic,' making them difficult to find.

Of course, their disguise is not perfect.

Because of that, I asked.

"But, Irena-san, if there really are Fifth Rank or higher monsters hiding, can't we just find and exorcise them?"

"Well, it's not yet confirmed. The increase in monster numbers is occurring all over Japan. So, if multiple Fifth Rank or higher monsters were hiding in different places and actively moving, we should be able to find at least one... But we can't find any."

I see.

Well, if we already know the cause, it shouldn't give rise to three possibilities.

Understanding the increased monster situation, I let out a relieved breath. Then, we got back to the main topic.

"So, what's this bad feeling you have, Irena-san?"

"Seeing this situation reminded me of something similar that happened before. I think it's impossible, but..."

"Something similar?"

"Two years ago."

Irena-san said just that and fell silent.

From her reaction, I could understand what she wanted to say.

An incident that happened two years ago.

It must be the event where Nina-chan's father died.

Nina-chan's father was also an Exorcist, just like Irena-san, and he was killed by a monster.

Because of that, Nina-chan's heart broke, and Irena-san sealed those memories.

Remembering that, Irena-san's worries increased, and she brought Nina-chan to my house. I can see the reason now.

I broke down Irena-san's thoughts in my head and carried the tea to the room with the low table.

There, Nina-chan was sitting politely, waiting.

Seeing her like this, I couldn't help but think she was really well-mannered.

"I made the tea, Nina-chan."

"Thank you, Itsuki."

And seeing Nina-chan like that, a thought crossed my mind.

Until when can we keep those memories sealed, I wonder...

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