Sousetsuka

4





"I'm back. Oh? What have we here, are you our guests?"

"Hello. I'm Arios. And this man here is Lecan. We will be staying here tonight."

"Oh my. You're so well-mannered. Easy on the eyes too."

"Nell. Get that foodstuff in the kitchen."

"Oh what are you huff-puffing about. Dear guests, hang on tight now. I'll cook up a storm for you."

Afterward, Nark and his wife stayed in the kitchen preparing dinner.

They eventually came back with the meal in tow.

"My word, this is simply superb. This vegetable must have been stir fried before being put in the soup. It's so aromatic. And with nice texture in the mouth. By the way, Nark-san and Nell-san are you two having meal after this?"

"Yea."

"Would you like to eat together with us?"

Nell replied back while Nark was hesitating what to say.

"My my, that'd be delightful. Can't believe such a nice young man like you would invite us."

The two brought their meals to the guest table.

"Do you have white wine?"

"Yea. We do."

"Then, mind if I treat landlord and landlady to some white wine?"

"Oh my, you're just too nice. Then I'll treat you two glassful of wine myself. Or maybe that's not good enough?"

"Oh not at all. It'll be my pleasure."

Four glasses of white wine got brought right away before they all toasted together.

The young man was knowledgeable in many topics, they all had fun chatting while eating.

The big man too, while taciturn, wasn't completely unsociable, it didn't feel awkward eating with him.

Far from it even, the meal was quite pleasant. Nark and Nell got treated to two glasses of white wine.

In the meantime, more and more guests kept coming in for dinner. Nark and Nell prepared meals for 15 guests besides for themselves and the staying guests, and they ran out early.

The young man went back to his room after meal. 'I'd like to get some rest for today', thus he said as he retired.

Even when all guests who were there for meals went home, the big man stayed to drink fermented Kizolt liquor. The bottle has been almost emptied.

"Nark."

Called by the big man, Nark turned to him across the counter.

"How long does it take to get to the lowest floor without fighting?"

"What"

"I'm asking how long does it take to get to the lowest floor if you go down the stairs without fighting once."

What the heck is this guy spouting up, thought Nark.

Then he recalled something.

There are some dungeons outside that allow its challengers to get downstairs without fighting one magic beast.

"Ya see here now, stairways in this dungeon are located in rooms where the giant variants lurk."

"Rooms?"

"Yeah. The dungeon here is a cavern-type ya see, it's got passageways and rooms. Magic beasts dwell inside rooms. There are rooms without magic beasts too. You won't fight magic beasts if you don't enter a room. But the stairs down are in rooms where giant variants lurk, so yer' not gonna go down without fighting 'em. Well, ya can also slip past them without defeating them, but yer' gonna quickly hit a roadblock doing that. Besides, once you get to the middle layer, it's pretty much impossible to go down the stairs without fightin'."

"Hou? How come."

"You'll see when ya get there."

"Was planning to slip past shallow floors without fighting, I suppose that's not happening."

"Unlike other dungeons, there ain't no floors fit for rookies here. Ya got no other choice but to work at it piece by piece."

"I see. By the way, locations of rooms where those giant variants spawn are fixed then."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"'Course."

"How many rooms with giant variants per floor, or, how many stairways there are on a floor."

"Think, around two? I dunno much either. But most floors prolly got two."

"Fumu. Then you'd also have to fight a giant variant if you're going upstairs if that's how it's structured."

"Go upstairs? Ya mean going up in the dungeon? Why'd you do that?"

"No, I'm not doing that. Just asking. I see. It's got passageways, rooms with magic beasts and boss rooms huh."

"Ah, boss rooms eh. You mean that. Yeah I guess they are boss rooms. Anyway, apparently this dungeon's structure is unusual. Might throw first timers for a loop."

"No. I'm very much familiar with this sort of structure."

The big man grinned and laughed ferociously.

"Well, just ask the rat if yer' hiring one. Get 'em bring you to the giant variant rooms. But if yer' exploring fer' real, you'd better fight the common magic beasts a few times on a floor to grasp their traits before challenging the giant variant."

"Hou. These traits can differ depending on floors huh?"

"Yea. Stuff like magic resistance, eh guess that got nothing to do with ya. Things like movement speed, or overall endurance change with each floors. Yer' not gonna manage going for the giant variant right away."

"I see."

"Well, do yer' best. And look out for Grace Gear Bearers."

"What's Grace Gear Bearers."

"The heck, yer' clueless 'bout that too? In this dungeon, defeating magic beasts bearing Grace Gear often drop treasure chests with that particular Grace Gear inside. Or rather, they say the drop is guaranteed if that item really got a Grace."

"What."

"Oy oy, that got ya' goin' eh. Grace Gear-bearing magic beasts are on a whole 'nuther level. Most folks who died at this dungeon were due to those magic beasts. Since Grace Gear Bearers show up even on shallow floors. Partly why this dungeon's impossible for beginner adventurers."

"Haha. I see, I see. So beating Grace Gear-bearing magic beasts net you that Grace Gear. I see, I see."

"Ask the rat which floors tend to drop what Grace Gear. Keep in mind that there's a wide breadth of those gear tho'. Just when you thought an exploding sword would drop, you got a sword that slows down when chipped instead, stuff like that."

"Fumu. Interesting. Is there a member limit in the boss room of the lowest floor, no, I mean rooms with giant variants inside?"

"Member limit? Naw, never heard of that. Don't think there's a room that limits how many peeps can go in, doesn't matter what floor. But these rooms got fixed sizes. Too many inside, and yer' not gonna move around well."

The big man gulped down his last cup and put it on the table.

"Got to hear some good stuff. This is thanks."

"Oy oy, ain't this a gold coin. I just babbled about stuff everyone here knew already, can't accept this."

"That's how much your information is worth to me. Take it."

After hesitating a bit, Nark took the gold coin.

He shouldn't have gotten a gold coin just by chatting. 'Guess I'll treat him to snacks once in a while', thought Nark.

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3





"Oy!"

The big man called out to Nark.

"Bring me the whole bottle of this stuff."

Nark took another bottle of fermented Kizolt liquor. It's still unsealed.

"Three silver coins."

The big man silently handed over the money.

So they do have money.

After taking the coins, Nark moved to the kitchen, lit up a twig with <Ignition> magic and lightly warmed some dried Posu.

He put them in a plate and brought it it to the table.

"Ah. This must be dried Posu. Smells good."

"This one's on us."

"Oh that's so generous of you. This is really a nice inn."

"Yeah?"

"The building itself may be old but it's made of solid wood. The rooms are spacious, the bed is big, and the sheet is cleanly put together. There's a roof over the well, surrounded by thick plantations as a blind, so you can wash up even during bad weather. I think this is a very well done, very well managed inn."

"Yeah."

(Well dang.)

(Good observations for folks who just got here.)

(You're damn right.)

(This inn offers a comfortable space to those who get it.)

(Put a lot of work into it 'fter all.)

"And the field is well tended with some tasty-looking vegetable in it. We can't wait for the meals here."

Having your pride and joy field praised doesn't feel bad.

(These two, can it be.)

(They decided to stay here at <Rafin's Rock Terrace Inn> after they saw vegetable growing in our field.)

Now I gotta cook up some real unique stuff tonight, thought Nark.

"Nark-san. Do you have some time to spare?"

The lanky young man pulled out an empty chair.

No. He looked lanky at a glance due to his supple gestures, but looking closer, he's got unexpectedly firm core and muscles.

"Whaddya need."

Nark sat down while saying that.

"We passed by the dungeon earlier, but we didn't see the building for Adventurer Association, does this town not have one?"

"Nah, there's one. However, this town's Adventurer's Association don't deal on dungeon. All stores around the dungeon are managed by the town lord."

"Eeh. That's a surprise. So even stores that sell equipment and consumables are managed by the town lord themselves. I saw many solid buildings made of stone lined up there."

"Information desk, trades, dineries, general stores and even brothels are all managed by the town lord. Can't have a store opened up within a 2000 step radius 'round the dungeon, that's the rule."

"Ah, so that's how it works. I see. By the way, I've heard there's only one type of magic beast spawning in this dungeon, is that story true?"

"What? You really don't know that?"

"Yes."

That's a bit weird.

Dungeon Tsubolt is not a dungeon rookie adventurers want to dive in.

Without enough experience, sufficient ability and decent equipment, an adventurer won't last long even on a very shallow floor. But these two are obviously no rookie.

Yet can they really not know that Dungeon Tsubolt is one of the so-called <Unique Type Dungeons>.

"Dungeon Tsubolt is a Unique type Dungeon. Every floor's only got unique types of <White Spectre (Zaag)> spawning."

"What's a unique Dungeon?"

"The heck, you're asking that? Hold it. Ya folks ain't gonna tell me this is your first dungeon escapade, are ya?"

Among adventurers there are those who only do dungeon diving called <Dungeoneers>, and there are also those who only work above ground.

"No. We delved into a relatively deep floors in other places. I have only ever done one dungeon myself, but this Lecan-dono here has explored quite a lot of dungeons."

"Hmm? Still tho', ya can find out basic stuff like this if you go to information desk."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Information desk?"

"Haven't gone there eh. Gotta go to the information desk if ya wanna purchase maps. You can just ask for more details there."

The slender young man glanced at the big man. The big man sipped his cup.

"No. I think we won't be buying a map."

"Ah. Yer' gonna hire a <Rat (Cirlan)> eh."

"Rat?"

"I'm talkin' bout guides. The guides here got the town lord's licenses see. Most won't try to steal or deceive their employers."

"Ah, so that's what guides are called here. By the way, what are Unique Dungeons?"

"Not unique dungeons. Unique type Dungeons. It's a dungeon where only unique types of a specific magic beast spawn. Only unique types of White Specters spawn here in Dungeon Tsubolt. Those things're far stronger than yer' average White Specters."

"So it will be the same kind of magic beast that gets stronger as you go down?"

"Yeah. Ah they may be the same kind, but some differ as <Red Body> and <Black Body>."

"<Red Body> and <Black Body> is it."

"<Red Body>'s the common body, while <Black Body>'s got some really hard body like they're wearing armor."

"This dungeon is 120 floors long, is it not?"

"That's right."

"How many times does it get conquered per year?"

"Hm? Beats me. Not really sure, but think some peeps beat down the giant variant on the lowest floor once a year."

"Giant variant on the lowest floor? What about the Dungeon Boss, should be on the final floor."

The big man, Lecan, spoke out.

"Aa. This dungeon's special. There's no boss on the lowest floor. Naturally this dungeon never hibernates either. S'why some call it <Sleepless Dungeon>. <Dungeon of Swords> is more well known tho'."

"Hou."

"So that means, the town lord won't summon you even if you conquer the lowest floor then?"

"Oy oy, yer' already worryin' 'bout last floor when ya haven't even got in? But yeah. Not like the town lord's gonna reward you or something even if you beat the giant variant on the lowest floor. More like, ya only got yer' own words as proof of beating the giant variant on the lowest floor."

"Isn't there some sort of mark you get for defeating that giant variant?"

"Naw nothin' like that. But giant variants 'round the lowest floors sometimes drop swords with <Damage Restoration> Grace. Only drop around floor 100 though if one even drops that is."

"What'd you say."

The big man put the cup down and bent his body forward. Pierced by the look in his right eye, Nark forgot to breathe for a moment. Nark also realized something then.

(This guy never opened his left eye.)

(Musta lost it.)

(Why not just heal it up with a red potion?)

(No wait, hold up.)

(Could it be, red potions don't work?)

One adventurer came up in Nark's mind. A dungeoneer by the alias <Skeleton Ogre>, the meat on his right jaw has been gouged out, so the bone under it is visible. That man's wound couldn't be healed with red potions either. It's said such cases aren't that rare among adept adventurers who rest on the summit.

(Yer' tellin' me this guy's as good as <Skeleton Ogre Zoltan>?)

"Did you say a sword with <Damage Restoration> grace gets dropped?"

Nark came back to his sense with Lecan's second question.

"Y-yea. 'S a Grace that restores blade to its original state even after it gets chipped."

"Some stores should sell that kind of swords then?"

"Nah. Swords dropped on the lowest floor usually got additional Graces on top of its high innate performance. Adventurers who got a sword like that use it for themselves. Even if they did sell one, someone else would snatch it up right away. So you ain't gonna find one in a store."

"I see."

The big man grabbed his cup once again.

Nark felt like he could saw a suspicious glint in his eye.

"Ah yeah, another thing, ya don't hafta beat a giant variant twice to create a <Mark> in this dungeon."

"Hou. So you only have to beat them once to get a <Mark>."

"That's not what I mean, you get a <Mark> simply by getting down to a floor."

"Hou."

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1





It's already been 20 years since Nark succeeded his parents to run <Rafin's Rock Terrace Inn>.

Unlike his father who was a depth-crawling adventurer of <Dungeon of Swords>, Nark has never stepped foot inside a dungeon in his life. But he's had experience working as an adventurer, and seen a fair share of veteran adventurers in his life, so he's confident in his ability to distinguish them.

From Nark's point of view, the adventurers Arios and Lecan were clearly a cut above the rest.

The two came to the inn on the eighth day of month 1, Zaka Kingdom year 117. A cold wind blew in when the two arrived on that awfully cold day.

"Hello."

As Nark who was washing his knife behind the counter turned to look at the door, he saw an amiable-looking young man coming in through the door. He's got a slender figure. But you can tell at a glance that the light armor he's wearing is no ordinary equipment, he must be an adept adventurer.

"Oy. Close the door right away."

"Oh yes. Excuse me. Come now, Lecan-dono. Please get inside."

Nark was taken aback when he saw the individual who came in after the slender man.

For a moment, he thought a dungeon-dwelling magic beast had showed up.

That was just how big and overpowering that adventurer was.

He's wearing a light armor with the same material and design as the young man. Meaning these two aren't impromptu party members, they've worked together in a party for some time.

"Err, do you have rooms available?"

"Yea. We do."

"Two rooms?"

"No problem."

<Rafin's Rock Terrace Inn> only has five rooms. Each room can only house one person.

But three of those rooms are permanently in use, so only two rooms are vacant.

"How much is it for one night?"

"Five big copper coins without meals."

Ordinary guests would have gone out right away and never come back once they heard that.

Of course they would. The inn is situated quite far from the dungeon, neither is it facing a big alley. The building isn't exactly high-class. It doesn't have a horse stable. The furniture and facilities don't look remarkable either. And it's got no bodyguard. Five big copper coins to stay in this kind of inn is just too much.

However, the slender young man moved on to the next question without so much as looking surprised.

"How much is breakfast and dinner?"

"Breakfast is one big copper coin. Lunch is two big copper coins. Dinner is three big copper coins."

"Hee. We can have lunches too then."

"If ya ask for it in the morning, sure."

The young man turned around and looked at the big man behind him.

The big man gave no response. Which is probably his answer.

"Then, rooms for two please."

"OK. Go up the stairs, yer' rooms are one at the end and the one next to it."

"Understood. May ask you to prepare dinner for us now?"

"Yeah sure. Gotta wait for the missus to come back, but ya should get it by the Fourth of Water Buffalo. What's yer names?"

He asked their names to put in the inn register.

"This big man here is Lecan. I am Arios. And you mister landlord?"

"It's Nark."

Afterward, Lecan and Arios went upstairs to their rooms.

Nark drew water, heated it up and brought it to the two's rooms.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

2





About half a period later, the two came back down with refreshed looks to them.

The dining room has four tables each having four chairs.

"You got booze?"

The big man, Lecan, asked.

It's a calm yet deep voice. Sounding somewhat similar a groan of a wild beast.

"Yea."

(This guy's presence ain't like yer' ordinary folk.)

Nark has never gone in a dungeon, but he did work as an adventurer for a time in his youth. Besides, he's lived in this town, Tsubolt, for decades, and had opportunities to see several big-name adventurers in person.

This big man, Lecan's got the aura of a big-name adventurer to him.

And despite his lumbering size, he produced almost no sound when he was coming down the stairs, he's undoubtedly skilled.

"For two."

"Yea."

Nark went behind the counter, took fermented Kizolt liquor from the shelf, and two wooden cups before pouring the liquor in them. The fermented liquor was not stored in a barrel or a clay pot, but in a glass bottle. A transparent amber-colored bottle with an allure that never gets old no matter how long you gaze at it. It's a high-class booze.

He put two cups on the table.

"Two big copper coins for two cups."

The big man took two big copper coins from his chest pocket and left it on the table.

Nark took them and headed back to the counter when he heard someone spoke behind him.

It's the slender young man's voice.

"Cheers (Joo Jood)!"

Then a sound of wooden cups getting knocked together.

The big man didn't say a word.

"Man, that was too much, Lecan-dono. I never would have imagined we would run all the way here from Vouka."

Nark stopped moving for a second.

(What?)

(Running from Vouka to this town?)

(Nah can't be.)

(Ah, right.)

(Must be out of cash, these folks couldn't take a carriage.)

Nark started walking again, but then he it hit him that no penniless man would stay at his inn.

"I cast <Recovery> on you. <Acceleration> too."

(<Recovery>?)

(Yer' tellin' me that big dude did?)

(Guy's a <Recovery> practitioner with those looks?)

(And <Acceleration>?)

(Never heard that magic before, does it speed up yer' running or something?)

He got behind counter and fetched a jar with dried Posu inside.

"<Acceleration> is such a wonderful magic. That really took me by surprise. And yes, I could keep running once you cast <Recovery> when I was about to drop dead. But, that only made me feel like a dying horse who got whipped right back up, you know?"

"Which got us here in eight days. Would have taken 40 days on a carriage."

"Did we really have to be such in a hurry?"

"The faster we get here, the faster we get in the dungeon."

"No no, let's enjoy the trip more. Talking with new people along the way, gazing at the sceneries and townscapes, and enjoying local cuisines in the regions we pass by, doesn't that sound fun?"

"We had meals and booze along the way here."

"Yes, when we were in a lodging. We literally spent all day running forever."

"I wanted to get in <Dungeon of Swords> ASAP though."

"Okay okay."

(Eight days?)

(Nah, musta misheard that.)

(No way you can run here from Vouka in just eight days.)

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Scholar Sandra



1





<Rikonen District> is a residential area located in the northwestern part of Vouka town.

It's a quiet neighborhood where middle class people reside, it's got its name from the Rikonen tress growing on the sides of the road.

One woman has purchased a snug house situated around the middle area of this Rikonen District. It was originally a house built by a renowned transcriber with a small yet tasteful garden inside, fit for anyone wishing to live a quiet life alone.

The woman who bought this house is quite at an advanced age, yet she's got this springiness about her, and despite her rather rough speech, she's furnished with high scientific attainments.

For a period of time, even the close neighbors weren't aware that this woman had started living in the house.

Her existence only became known after a certain event in the neighborhood.

The eldest son of someone who lived there, then 12-year old Bonfur fell from the veranda of his house and hit his head on a garden stone.

The mother Rikanu was panicking around in a half-frenzied state, the father Jaston had resigned to his son's impending death despite sending an employee run to a medical center.

That was when this woman showed up and offered a medium red potion.

Rikanu took the potion like she was snatching it from her and frantically sprinkled it over her son. The son who was bleeding on the head miraculously recovered, and by the time a medical practitioner arrived, they couldn't find anything wrong with him.

A medium red potion fetches one big silver coin, but that's the lowest price one goes in a dungeon city, in ordinary towns, it can go ten to sixty times higher. Furthermore, they're not something stores display on the shelves, you just can't buy them whenever.

That woman who called herself Sandra spoke to Jaston who offered to compensate her for the potion how that red potion was something she bought in a dungeon city she was visiting as a research material, and for him to take it as a greeting present for her moving in.

Jaston, an experienced middle-class headhunter is no stranger to bargaining tactics. He could tell that Sandra was serious about not seeking compensation.

Jaston who had been completely amazed by this told Sandra to go ahead ask him anything should she need something.

Sandra took upon his offer right away and said that she was looking to hire a maid so she would like a recommendation on a good establishment.

As Jaston is exactly running that kind of business, he told her that he would look for a maid that fit her criteria, which Sandra then enumerated.

She's not particular with ages or looks. She's looking for a quiet and obedient individual.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The maid's work will be cleaning, tending garden and washing.

She is to come to the house every two to three days, and to finish the work in half to an hour time.

Sandra herself frequently goes out to faraway places for her work, so she's often not at home. She'll left the key to the maid, and she expects her to work even while she's gone.

There's no room the maid can't enter. Cupboards and drawers she doesn't want open will be locked. She doesn't want the maid to touch papers and documents that may be lying around.

As she likes to brew tea on her own, the maid isn't expected to do that.

She cooks for herself, so there's no need for that either. As she won't prepare meals for the maid, they're expected to have eaten before coming in.

Sandra isn't really fussy about built-up dust, so the cleaning doesn't have to be too thorough. The maid can come and go as she pleases since it will also serve to ventilate the house.

After stating those curious prerequisites, Sandra handed over a big magic stone as the wage for a period of time.

Jaston firmly denied it at first. He was planning to shoulder the wage for the maid. But after a heated argument, he relented and took the magic stone.

He was not too familiar with magic stones, yet he still found it magnificent to the point he thought of gazing at it for a while. 'I can just hand over a sum amount of money worth this magic stone later', thought Jaston.

Later on when he showed it to a magic stone merchant, he was dumbfounded when he found out about the price.

At first he sent a young maid for the job, but she got married and stopped the gig, thus he sent an elderly maid next. This one is still working for Sandra even now.

According to the maid, Sandra's house is filled with books, documents and weird articles in every room. As books are expensive, Sandra must be quite affluent to have so many.

Curiously enough, there's barely any cookware in Sandra's house. The maid would sometimes found leftover garbage from store-bought food, and very rarely she would make soup Sandra would gulp down, but it's a mystery just what kind of food she persists on.

Sandra frequently goes out in a long excursion. Even when she's back, she often goes out in daytimes, and conversely people tend to see a flicker-less light, magic light, late at night. People guessed that she was an avid and wealthy researcher who wouldn't pinch on magic stones. She would present in her house very rarely, like once every tens of days. Mysteriously enough, there's a surprising lack of people who have seen her go in and out of her house.

Her nickname <Scholar Sandra> was first coined by Jaston. The neighbors called her Sandra-san the scholar, and then it got stuck before anyone realized.

Bonfur the boy she saved would often come to thank scholar Sandra, and got along well with her now. Sandra herself never went out of her way to get in touch with people, but neither would she act apathetic to those who visited her.

At times, Sandra would gently talk about simplified versions of advanced research that would pique Bonfur's interest, another time she would talk about true facts and secrets of histories, then one time was about songs and tales from another country, all which tightly seized Bonfur's mind.

Eventually Bonfur came to call Sandra, 'sensei', he would intrude on her house whenever he saw her home to listen to her stories. Sandra would send her maid to buy expensive tea and snacks, but most of those snacks ended up in Bonfur's stomach.

Bonfur is 22 year old now, he's started managing his father's business. The father would look fondly on his son's growth and begin to consider retiring.

On the sixth year after Sandra took residence in that house, Jaston's wife, Rikanu fell down with a high fever of unknown cause, her condition worsened badly and the medical practitioner couldn't do anything for her, that was when Sandra who had come to visit asked them to leave her and Rikanu alone in the room, in which they did, afterward Rikanu's condition improved.

Sandra asked Jaston to keep it a secret. Jaston swore to bring it to his grave.

That was how Sandra became Jaston's family's neighbor as well as savior. Apparently, a few other neighboring houses are also indebted to Sandra in some ways.

Sandra never interacted with the neighbors, no one even saw her going out of house to meet another. Hence, there's only a handful of people who knew Sandra's name and face.

Nevertheless, no one in Rikonen District would speak ill of Sandra.

Incidentally, an apothecary by name Shira lived deep in an area of dilapidated buildings at the opposite end of town to Rikonen District. She was an individual who made highly effective medicine, those who know know, but her social disposition was extremely lacking, in fact, barely anyone knew Shira's face.

How that Shira was visited by <Herb Saint> Guide Skalabel and even got called master by him is a popular pastime talk in the town. It's also said that Shira is living a secluded life somewhere, so no one knows where to see her.

If someone who knew apothecary Shira's face saw scholar Sandra's, they might speak how they are the exact same person.

However, apothecary Shira would wear ragged and dirty clothes, while scholar Sandra always wore elegant and tidy outfits. They live apart and the air around them is quite dissimilar as well.

At the end of the day, humans don't only see faces, but also social class, clothes, bearings, residence and how someone socializes with others, they look at how someone lives their life as a whole, as such no one would make the connection between the two, that they're one and the same.

Even if someone did manage to, it's clear that they're completely different people when you compare how Sandra lived for the past ten years in the district in contrast to how Shira lived. Even though it's the same town, their places of residents are too far apart. It's impossible for her to be at Shira's house at daytime, and Sandra's at night. Human cannot be at two different places at the same time.

Scholar Sandra is deep in another research today.

A research no one is privy to.




[Intermission 2 Scholar Sandra] End/Next [Episode 28 Rafin's Rock Terrace Arbor]

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17





In the end, there was barely anyone who came to Vouka looking for Shira.

This was due to Guide Skalabel and his entourage spreading news about her disappearance in towns they passed by.

Many personages expressed their interest to meet Eda through the town lord, Crimus Ulban, however.

Eda would generally turn down such requests. Furthermore, after consulting with Norma, she decided to charge one big gold coin per casting of <Purification>.

No one will pay one big gold coin for one session no matter how rich they are. Those who suffer serious injury or illness can just resort to <Recovery>. Besides, the true value of <Purification> is made apparent after successive casting.

In the end, not one soul sought Eda's <Purification>.

Several town lords' messengers requested an audience with Eda through Crimus. For these kinds of requests, she would go meet them at the town lord's mansion.

Vantaroy town lord's messenger said this to Eda.

"Watching over you was a task Guide Skalabel entrusted to my lord. We shall regularly send someone to check on you, please feel free to turn to them should you need anything. Ensuring your continued freedom impeded by no one is Guide Skalabel's wish."

This was in fact a form of warning to Crimus. An indirect statement by Vantaroy's town lord to him, 'We're always monitoring your actions'.

Requests for Eda's <Recovery> had dried up as well. At the end of the day, one gold coin fee is just not affordable. Noble houses would have someone with <Recovery> under them, while the wealthy and merchants could just go to the temples for <Recovery>. As the monetary offering for it doubly serves as charity, receiving <Recovery> at the temple is more preferable to them.

Their neighbors also found out about Eda being a user of <Purification> who was also a savior of <Herb Saint> Skalabel, and while they were a bit bewildered at first, they treated her like they did before after some time.

There was a period of time when groups of people tried to push their way to see Eda, but they went right home with a glare from Lecan.

Jericho would go out during daytime despite living in Lecan's and Eda's house. They went to Shira's house. Cleaning up the house and tending the herb garden.
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Arios came back four days after herb saint's departure.

Arios resumed tutoring Eda on defensive stance as well as gait style using short swords, but after a while, he declared that Eda didn't seem able to learn <Stealth Step>.

The three's light armors were finally done early on month ten, way later than initially scheduled.

Eda's light armor is made to emphasize flexibility and speed, bearing a vivid blue color.

As for Lecan's and Arios's, the important parts like the chest area, shoulder pads, knee guard are blue colored, while all other parts are red.

They also got paid for the Great Octocular Spiders' materials. Totaling in a large sum of 19 platinum (white gold) coins excluding the fee for the armor. It was split among the three. Arios also got the payment for his Queen's Venom, but Lecan didn't pay attention to the amount. He was not interested. But Arios handed him five small bottles with Queen Venom inside nonetheless.

"I'm sharing them."

Eda has started to accept quests at the Adventurer's Association. There were times where she would take on the quests alone, and times where she would go with a party of young adventurers. By young here is around 15, so they're technically older than Eda, but they were none the wiser. Eda is famous as a gold rank adventurer now, and the fact that she looks like a young girl she is appears to have quite an distinctive impact.

Lecan went to two dungeons.

The first one was a small dungeon to the north of Skerus. The dungeon only had 12 floors, but he had some fun.

The other one was Dungeon Golbul. One night, he had the urge to fight the Greatarm Ogre.

He quickly went in the dungeon, quickly beat the ogre, and quickly dashed out. Commander Doug was waiting for him outside, so he greeted him, showed him a glimpse of the dungeon item and went back to Vouka right away.

The dungeon item was a mantle.

It's got defensive properties against physical and magical, a sort of lesser version of Lecan's own <Overking Bear>'s overcoat. He gave it to Eda since she wanted it. She tried to pay for it, but Lecan wouldn't take it, saying it's a thanks for the <Purification> every night.

Lecan would spar with Arios sometimes.

Arios's swordsmanship has gotten more flexible compared to before. In other word, it's gotten crafty. He even managed to prevail against Lecan often. The results would likely come out differently in a real combat, but in terms of pure sword skills, Arios comes out on top.

Meanwhile, month ten was nearing its end.

"Lecan. You're leaving this town after new year, right?"

He never mentioned anything about that, Eda must have sensed that from the mood. Or perhaps she learned how to read Lecan's trains of thought.

"Yea."

"Are you going to dungeons?"

"I'm thinking of heading for Dungeon Tsubolt first. Haven't decided after."

"You're going alone?"

"Arios wanted to come along."

"I see."

"What're you gonna do?"

Lecan would take Eda along if she said she want to tag along.

"Honestly, I wanna come with you. But if I did that here, I'm gonna stay Lecan's baggage forever."

Eda's <Recovery> is potent enough to be considered a trump card in dungeon explorations. Adding to the fact that Eda is good with her bows, has reached a certain level of mastery in close quarter combat's evasion and defensive, and her life force is plentiful enough. She's absolutely not a burden.

However, the baggage here doesn't refer to her fighting prowess. Thus far, Eda has been living and growing up under Lecan's protection. And she feels like that can't go on as it is.

"I want to try living by myself for awhile. I'll show you I can live independently. I'm going to become someone Lecan will come for and ask to be with. I'm gonna give it my all so I can heal your left eye."

"I see."

"Lecan."

"Hm?"

"I love you."

Lecan almost said 'me too', but he stopped short. It's not Eda's <Love> that Lecan's got. The feelings Lecan hold for Eda are a bit different from that word. However, Lecan couldn't find quite the word to express that verbally.

As such, instead of words, he patted Eda's head. Ruffling through her hair rather roughly.

Eda laughed while crying.

On the last day of that year, Lecan and Arios left the town.

Their destination is Dungeon Tsubolt.

Snow was falling that day.





[Episode 27 Medical God Dialogue] End/Next [Intermission 2 Scholar Sandra]

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15





Vouka town lord, Crimus Ulban remained standing in the entranceway of his mansion.

The Herb Saint Entourage must have just got out of the town via the west gate by now.

Vouka's guard led by commander Tesla is escorting them to the nearest village.

The town lord has to stay here to meet and greet the four noble houses as well as those who have come to see the entourage off.

"Norma, Eda, we're going home."

"Yeah. Let's."

"Un. Home we go."

"Ah, Lecan. A moment please."

It was the town lord who called out to Lecan.

"What do you need?"

"Thanks for your hard work. I owe you one."

"Yea."

"Hold it! I told you to wait!"

"Get on to it already."

"We have been getting requests to meet, no, have an audience with Shira-sama."

"Nothing to do with me."

"I couldn't tell her earlier. Any and all outside contacts were prohibited during Guide Skalabel's stay. So things will get busy from now on."

"Told you I don't give a crap."

"This won't be for a while, but Vantaroy's town lord has expressed interest to visit Vouka as well. That Vantaroy town lord, coming here in flesh!"

"Good for you. Later."

"Don't you go off now! Wait a second."

"Get to it."

"I would like Shira-sama to stay in the guest house for a while."

"Tell that to Shira."

"Where has Shira-sama gone off to?"

"No clue."

"There's no way you don't know."

"Didn't you see? Shira vanished."

"Yes, she did. That was a wonderful magic. Wait, was that even magic?"

"Must be. Can't imagine what kind though."

"Where did she go?"

"I gave you the answer already."

"Are you really not aware?"

"I really have no clue."

"When is she coming back?"

"No idea."

"Do you believe you can convince me with that?"

"I don't give a damn either way."

"We have a huge queue of people wanting to meet her. As well as letters I must give her. There will be a mountain heap more of those from now on. Lots more letter will come."

"I'll give you an advice."

"Please by all means."

"Shira will not show up in this town ever again. So you'd better decline those asking for a meeting. Write the return letters yourself. They're just gonna turn into garbage left at Shira's house."

"You're joking, right? Tell me you're joking."

"Zip it. Shira won't show herself up ever again. It's me who found that most unfortunate."

After saying that over his shoulder, Lecan took Norma and Eda away from the town lord's mansion.

He felt a bit sorry for the town lord, but he surely has gained a lot more than he lost from all what's going on, so Lecan didn't feel bad leaving him to deal with all the aftermath.

They parted with Norma along the way, then went to fetch Jericho with Eda before going back home.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


16





Lecan saying that Shira won't show up in this town ever again came as a huge shock to Eda, she asked Lecan where Shira is.

Lecan replied back.

Standing out in public is the thing Shira hates most above all else, and now that her name has been spread far and wide, she likely won't ever make an appearance in this town.

As for Shira's whereabouts, even Lecan is clueless on that. However, Shira can't possibly abandon Lecan and Eda.

One day, she would likely appear before them.

Both him and Eda have some growing up to do so they can proudly meet her, to get her say, "My, you two have really grown up", when she saw them.

Besides, it's Shira they're talking here, she must be watching over him and Eda somewhere without them realizing.

Entrusting Jericho to Eda is a promise for their eventual reunion.

After hearing that, Eda wiped her tears and nodded, 'Un'.

The following day, Lecan didn't go anywhere.

He shut himself in the house and carefully probed the whole town with <Life Detection> while quietly sipping some liquor.

But he couldn't find the reaction he sought.

He did the same the day after.

On the night of the third day, there was a hit in the town. The presence of an enormous mana. A nostalgic presence.

That presence vanished right away. However, he has memorized its location.

Lecan erased his presence with <Concealment> and headed toward the northwest direction under the night sky of Vouka town. Running on walls, jumping over roofs, he arrived at the place.

It's a snug house in a quiet neighborhood.

There's an inner garden inside, with a veranda on the second floor facing that garden, there an elderly woman is sipping tea while watching the night sky.

Lecan gently landed on that veranda.

"Hey there. That was quick. I've got your tea ready over here."

"That's some fancy outfit you're wearing."

"This is how I look when I'm here."

"Since when."

"Let's see now. I think since about ten years ago."

"I don't see a big chimney anywhere here. Neither an underground cellar."

"Yep there's none. Think I'm done with medicine now. I have so many good successors all grown up after all."

"The medicine stores that sell your medicine will be devastated."

"Oh not at all. This town has quite a few skilled apothecaries now. And I've presented cold medicine and remedy recipes to five apothecaries I know. I'm sure they're elated."

"I see."

Lecan sat down and drank his tea.

"This is a good tea. Can I come here again to drink another cup?"

"Once in a while, sure."

They gazed at the night sky for a while.

"Say. You're planning to leave this town at the end of this year, aren'tcha?"

"Yea."

"What about Eda-chan?"

"Still undecided. But I think leaving her to fend for herself for once will be a good experience."

"Really."

"What do you think?"

"Well. I'm sure Eda-chan herself has been thinking of having a go at being independent from you."

"Yeah?"

"And she also wants to become someone you could accept. Or so how I see it at least."

This wise woman does not speak without any basis.

Meaning she must have had conversations with Eda that led her to believe that.

"Yeah I think that's for the best."

"It's also for your sake, you know. Don't worry about that girl. I've left Jericho with her."

"Guess there's nothing to worry about with Jericho around."

"Jericho will notify me if there's something amiss."

"I see."

Something suddenly hit on Lecan while he was looking at the bottom of his emptied cup.

"Oh yeah, during that night when Roland tried to set up a magic barrier, you said that <Sleep> boosted by that magic barrier installed with a dungeon-depth magic stone and grace items won't work on Eda or me."

"I sure did."

"That doesn't sound right."

"Hee?"

"Eda might have resistance to mind magic. Her life force's been quite bolstered as well. But I don't believe that will be enough to defend against <Sleep> cast by Roland with the help of magic barrier and grace items. All the more since I didn't have <Necklace of Intuador> with me back then."

The silver ring he always has on his finger passively raises abnormal status resistance, but the effect has its limit. In fact, Marakis's magic did manage to reap Lecan's consciousness if only for a moment.

"That was a feint for that Derston boy."

"What?"

"You musn't let your guard down against that boy."

Lecan himself also noticed that the most troublesome individual to make an enemy of among the Herb Saint Entourage was the temple knight Derston Barmoa. He might look like he was faithfully working as Skalabel's escort this time around, but that man must have been the one with the highest drive toward Elex Temple's interest. Which isn't guaranteed to always coincide with Shira's and Lecan's interest. That man was always coldly observing Shira, Lecan, Eda and Norma behind his all-smiles exterior.

In other word, that conversation was Shira's way to warn Derston not to mess with Lecan and Eda.

Come to think of it, Shira did allude to her deep connection with Yacklubend then. Derston must think that antagonizing her would require quite a bit of resolve after that.

"I see. Got it. So where's your other nesting holes at?"

"Oh, what are you on about?"

"Back then you spoke how a shrewd rabbit would dig up four nesting holes. You also mentioned how you have bases in several cities around this country."

"Oh, did I really say that?"

"You did. Back when we got called to the temple."

"I'm honestly surprised by your good memory."

"So where's your other nesting holes at."

"I wonder. You tend to forget things as you age, see. How many nests I dug, and where, can't remember every one of them. But it'll probably come back to me when the needs arise."

(This granny is the one you can't let your guard down on the most.)

Lecan drank up his tea.

"Thanks for having me."

"Feel free to grab all the medicine making tools you want in my house. Take care of yourself now."

"Yea. Thank you."

Lecan put <Concealment> on himself once again and leaped in the night town.

That night hosted beautiful stars in the sky.

Lecan leaped around from walls to walls.

He spun in the air, raised his leg ups, flapped his arms around, somersaulted sometimes, dancing with the stars.

That night was simply too good a moment to pass up dancing.

A feeling Lecan couldn't quite describe was overflowing out of his chest, he just couldn't keep still for a second.

The wind was cold.

A pleasant kind of coldness.

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 14





"Then, Norma-dono. There is no problem with Guide Skalabel casting <Purification> on himself from now on, is there?"

"Yes. I believe so. There is no precedence for this case, and we have to rely on deduction of deduction my father left, however no trace of crystallization remains in Guide Skalabel's body, that is for sure.  I believe the resistance has vanished for now as well. In which cases, the greatest <Purification> in the kingdom should pose no danger now."

"Your words bring hope to us. Truly, our meeting has been a great blessing."

"I'm grateful to gods for this chance as well."

"Hohoho. Once we arrive at the capital we shall arrange a transcriber that will stay in Vouka for around a year time. Though it will likely be early next year at the latest. Norma-dono, you won't mind letting them stay in your place, will you"

"Yes. We have got the space after all. If the transcriber finds it unsatisfactory, I will look for a lodging nearby. Ah, and also."

"Yes?"

"After about a decade, just to be safe, please have other people cast <Purification> on Guide Skalabel."

"Eh? No, but that's."

"It should be possible to gather multiple <Purification> users at the capital, and especially if Guide Skalabel calls for it, shouldn't it?"

"Ah! I see now."

"Three would be better than two, each of them should be equipped with mana boosting equipment, and given Blue Potions, make them cast as much <Purification> as they could. As the Crystallization should not progress to an advanced state like before by then, I believe that should be sufficient to solve the issue even without someone with an abundance of mana like Eda present."

"Oh, Elex Temple can prepare three <Purification> users no problem. Oops, please keep that confidential."

Next to the two in deep talk, Vouka town lord, Crimus Ulban was waiting while looking all smiles. As many people are waiting for their departure, he must be fretting bad on the inside.

"O Master, Master. You have my most heartfelt gratitudes."

"You've been saying that all this time already. Stay in good health. Don't come again now."

Scribe, scribe, the young apothecaries were still on the clock even now.

Shira looked at Eda next to her.

"Oh, yeah. Eda."

"Yes."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"I need you to do something for me."

"Un. What is it?"

"I'd like to leave Jericho with you."

"Eh? Oh, sure no problem."

"Jericho's got money on them, they can go get their favorite fruit on their own, so you only need to prepare a room for them to stay in."

"That's OK, we've got some spare room anyway."

"Guide Skalabel. I think it's about time for your speech."

The one calling out to Skalabel was the person in charge of the entourage's escort, vice commander of the Royal Knights, Neisan Aspell.

"Yes, indeed. Neisan-dono, if you would."

"Affirmative."

Neisan walked ten steps ahead, inhaled greatly and started talking at a tremendous volume.

"To all of you present here, listen well! The words I shall speak now are the very words spoken by Guide Skalabel himself!"

The rustle quieted down at once. The town personages crowding the yard to the gate, and even the townspeople waiting outside the gate gradually went silence. Once it was completely silent, Neisan spoke with a thunderous voice.

"During this visitation, I, Guide Skalabel have been rejuvenated and regained my health back, thanks to an arrangement made by my teacher Shira-sama!"

A faint rustle broke out in the silence.

"It is all made possible with <Purification> performed by Shira-sama's pupil, apothecary Eda-dono!"

The rustle got bigger. Gradually growing louder, with no sign of stopping.

"Eda-dono is!"

Neisan's word swallowed down the commotion.

"A savior of our Guide Skalabel!"

OOOOH, a cheer erupted.

"This town, Vouka is a town of grace that has given us a new life!"

WAAAAA, another huge cheer. That was the highest honor the townspeople could hear. The cheers won't calm down.

"IF!"
 
Neisan glares at all the people around with a frightening look on his face.

"Anyone dares to harm Eda-dono, or obtrude on her!"

Neisan's voice got louder, deeper and tougher.

"Shall face us as enemy!"

Neisan paused a bit here until his word sank in the people's minds.

"Harken!"

The people waited for the next word with a bated breath.

"Stand not in the path Eda-dono takes!"

Neisan greatly inhaled even more, knotting powerful words.

"For that is my wish. That is all!"

Someone clapped.

Not sure why they clapped here, perhaps it was to express their delight at Skalabel's regained health.

The applause eventually got spread among everyone who gathered there, lasting for a while.

"Thanks, Skalabel."

Guide Skalabel bowed deeply at Shira.

And when he raised his head, Shira was gone.

"O Master?"

He searched around but Shira was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, apothecary Shira left the public eye for eternity.

Skalabel knelt on the spot, and prostrated toward the place where Shira was.

His pupils followed suit.

The priests followed suit.

The knights, squires, and even Prime Minister Office's officials followed suit.

Then they got on their carriages and horses, and departed for the capital.

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