Sousetsuka

4





After saying he got a proposition, the earl ordered the appraiser to leave the room which he did after bowing at the earl.

Once the door had been completely shut, the earl continued.

"As a grace item that emerged in our Dungeon Golbul, this <Dagger of Harut> is a prestigious item of our house. As such, it is only right for it to be a heirloom to our house"

"Looks like Vouka town lord lied to me."

"What"

It was the second son Henjitt who made the sound.

"I told him that I had no intention of selling or presenting this dagger when he came to me saying Golbul town lord wanted the dagger. Vouka town lord told me he would communicate my stance to you, and begged me to let you see the dagger at least. So that was a lie."

"Do not be hasty, adventurer Lecan. Vouka town lord, Crimus Ulban has indeed communicated your unwillingness to sell the dagger to our house. This is no business talk. Oh, right right."

The earl looked at a chamberlain standing next to the door.

"Bring that here."

The chamberlain bowed deeply and left the room before quickly returning along with a young chamberlain carrying a tray.

An elegant leather bag is on top of the tray.

"This is your reward for conquering our dungeon twice. Accept it."

Judging from the bulge of the bag, there must be gold coins inside.

However, the amount is definitely far from a hundred.

In other word, the earl put <Dagger of Harut>'s value below one white gold coin.

"I've got my reward already. In the form of liquor and food. Your eldest son, Tomaj personally oversaw it even. I don't need any more reward."

The chamberlain looked confused.

The earl was going to say something, but Lecan spoke again.

"Earl. You have confirmed the dagger I brought was <Dagger of Harut>."

"Indeed."

"You have also confirmed it is an item that emerged in Dungeon Golbul."

"Indeed."

Lecan swiftly took the dagger on top of the table, put it away in <Storage> and stood up.

'Ah', several people said that.

"That means the matter Vouka town lord asked me is over and done with. I'm going home."

Lecan took a step forward.

"S-stop right there!"

The earl tried to stop Lecan with an awfully shrill voice.

An even shriller voice stopped Lecan.

"Lecan! Go on and go home! But first, return <Dagger of Harut> to us!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
It's the earl's second son, Henjitt Douga.

Lecan was positioned just right to look down on Henjitt.

"Return?"

"Yeah. You promised me before you went in our dungeon. That you'd present everything you got there to the earl family. Isn't that right, Doug!"

"Eh"

Doug who was standing by the wall couldn't respond to the sudden call.

"Speak clearly, Doug!"

"E-err. Back then..."

"Quit your farce, Henjitt."

The look on the knight assigned to Henjitt changed with Lecan's words.

"Y-you bastard! Henjitt-sama--"

'Glint', Lecan's right eye opened, glaring at the knight.

The knight completely froze up in fear.

"Henjitt. I see you have a bad memory. You told me to put the items I got in the dungeon at the auction. I did not respond to that. You were ignored. Besides, <Dagger of Harut> didn't drop back then. It was a golden potion. To begin with."

Lecan's sharp glare looked down on Henjit as he continued on.

"Third act of Article 28 of the Kingdom Laws. <Ownership of every items possessed by those who come out of a dungeon is on him, her or them>. Everything I got in dungeons is my property. I take the final say whether to sell them or not. Does Golbul House not know of Kingdom Laws. Or you know but you choose to violate Kingdom Laws and attempts to snatch adventurers' property through sophistries!"

Once he declared that, Lecan thought that he might have said too much. And yet, Tomaj responded in a way that went over Lecan's expectations.

"Lecan-dono. I cannot overlook the slander you accuse our house of. I challenge you to a duel."

"Hou."

"Tomaj!"

"Aniue!"

The earl and Henjitt looked at Tomaj in shock.

"Unfortunately, I cannot go myself due to my position. You will have to excuse me sending a proxy in my stead."

Lecan was pleased with Tomaj challenging him.

Fighting by sitting around and clashing words is far from Lecan's specialty. He had been feeling very irritated since the beginning, he was about to reach boiling point there.

Thus he involuntarily grinned when he heard the word 'duel'. That's Lecan's specialty.

"What kind of duel? Is it one with some shady umpire that's gonna decide your proxy's victory regardless of how the duel goes?"

"If you're going that far, it will be a duel to death then. A one-on-one duel, the one who lives in the end is the victor. The winner takes all belongings the loser has."

Lecan grinned even harder.

"Hou, that's interesting. Meaning you'll get <Dagger of Harut> if I die huh?"

"That's right."

"What do I get if your proxy dies?"

"You get everything the proxy has."

"Not enough. I don't know if that proxy guy's even got things I want."

"What more do you wish."

"Right. I'll have an apology letter from Earl Golbul."

"What"

"Is that not only right? You asked for this duel because I pointed out how House of Earl Golbul violated the Kingdom Laws, did you not? Then my victory will be the prove that I'm right."

"Mu. That is true."

"Earl Golbul shall write an apology letter to Vouka town lord, apologizing for violating Kingdom Laws, and attempting to unjustly extort property of a gold rank adventurer of Vouka."

"W-what? Why must father apologize to Vouka town lord."

"Are you dumb. I've come here to show <Dagger of Harut> to Earl Golbul as requested by Vouka town lord, Golbul knights under Earl Golbul name violated my right as a gold rank adventurer of Vouka town. What is there to ask other than an apology from Earl Golbul to Vouka town lord."

Lecan talked while thinking his narrative was pushing it, but he started thinking that it was actually quite reasonable as he spoke the words.

It's at least more sound than Henjitt's unilateral complaints to Lecan, and Tomaj's logic in trying to settle this with a duel.

"Tomaj. Who is, this proxy?"

The earl asked with a low voice. Low yet still sounding somewhat shrill.

"We have Bargos on standby. However--"

"Most excellent. Adventurer Lecan. Do not forget the terms we both have agreed upon."

"Yea. Then let us begin."

Tomaj sounded flustered as he saw Lecan walking toward the door.

"Eh? No uh, we need to prepare for the location first, and also gather people that will be present there. The duel is for tomorrow or the day after."

"Quit messing around."

"What"

"I'm not staying a night in this town. The duel is to be held today."

"No, but, the witnesses--"

"You and Earl Golbul are enough as witnesses. Either of the two has to die anyway right?"

"Y-yeah. Then at least please have lunch. We'll get things ready in the meanwhile."

That's a welcome offer. Lecan was starving.

At any rate, laughter could be seen in Earl Golbul's and Henjitt's eyes.

It might be their trust on that Bargos guy, or perhaps they're plotting something.

Doesn't really matter either way.

It would have been bad if they kept clashing words then. Who knows what kind of pitfall Lecan could fall into.

If it's a duel, he'll just break through it no matter what traps await.

He can't thank Tomaj enough for suggesting such a lovely way to settle the matter.






Previous Chapter

3





Commander Doug was begging Lecan to stand up with his eyes, thus Lecan stood and turned toward Earl Golbul Gaionis Douga.

The earl is quite thin with a pompous moustache that stand upward on the tips.

Earl Golbul who entered the room along with two knights greeted Lecan before sitting down.

"I am Earl Golbul Gaionis Douga. Are you adventurer Lecan?"

The eldest son, Tomaj has a calm low pitched voice and yet the father, the earl himself is sounding weirdly shrill.

"I am."

The two knights standing behind the earl emitted their bloodlust.

"Fumu. It appears you know nothing about manners. I suppose that is how that be for adventurers. I applaud your coming here. Would you have a seat for me."

"Will do."

The earl waited to take his seat after Lecan, followed by Tomaj and Henjitt.

"Let us get straight to the point, is it true that you conquered our Dungeon Golbul on the 28th Month 3 Kingdom Year 116, and on the 26th Month 4 Kingdom Year 116?"

"I don't remember the exact dates, but I did conquer Dungeon Golbul on month 3 and 4."

"We recognize your legitimacy as a conquerer of Dungeon Golbul. We shall hold a celebration."

"Your eldest son already treated me with liquor and food, congratulations too. I see that as a form of hospitality from Earl Golbul."

"Most excellent. I ask you, what did you obtain from the dungeon boss on month 3?"

"A golden potion."

"Do you still have it with you now?"

"No. Used it."

"On yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Will you tell me what kind of ability you acquired?"

"No comment."

"So you won't. Let us proceed, what did you obtain from the dungeon boss on month 4?"

"A <Dagger of Harut>."

Reacting to that, the surroundings buzzed.

"Is that assertion based on its outward appearance. Or by <Appraisal>."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"<Appraisal>."

The surroundings buzzed once again.

"Most excellent. Do you have it with you now?"

"Yea."

"Could you show it to me."

Lecan pulled up the collar of his overcoat, took <Dagger of Harut> from <Storage> and put it on the table.

'Ooh', several people let out a voice.

Earl Golbul turned to look behind him a bit. One of the knights nodded, walked forward, and tried to grab the dagger.

"I never said you could touch the dagger."

The knight glared at Lecan with an intense look.

"Fumu. I should have asked for your permission beforehand. Adventurer Lecan. We would like to <Appraise> this dagger, we shall be borrowing it for a while."

"I won't allow this dagger get taken out of my sight. You're allowed to use <Appraisal> on the dagger. But do that inside this room, right in front of me."

"Insolent fool!"

The other knight behind the earl yelled out and took a step forward.

The earl slightly raised his right hand, stopping that knight.

"Bring the appraiser here."

"Sir."

That knight left the room after sending an intense glare at Lecan.

Soon after, the knight brought back a small man with him.

"Earl-sama. At your service."

"Umu. Appraise that dagger."

"By your will."

Henjitt left his seat for the man.

The small man walked to the spot left out by Henjitt even while looking jittery from the bizarre atmosphere filling the room, then he held both his hands over the dagger.

"Oh god who rules over wisdom, Maraa. Show my mana the way. Pry open, let the origin of the object before my hands be known to me. <Appraisal>."

Mana emitted out of the small man's hands and gently wrapped around <Dagger of Harut>, circulating once before returning to the man's hands. The small man is sensing something with his eyes closed and his hands quivering.

Eventually, the small man got an entranced look on his face as he opened his eyes and lowered his hands.

"This is a <Dagger of Harut>. There is no doubt that it emerged in Dungeon Golbul."

"Oooh."

"Goodness."

"So it was real."

"Wonderful."

People cheered. The room's atmosphere softened at once.

The earl also let out a small 'oooh' and leaned against the sofa.

Tomaj gripped both his hands looking happy, then he turned at Lecan.

"Lecan-dono. Could you let Earl-sama take the dagger into his hand?"

"Go ahead."

"You have my gratitudes. Now, Earl-sama. Please draw it out of its scabbard to reveal its visage."

"Umu."

The earl grabbed the scabbard with his left hand, and the grip with his right.

People inside the room watched over him with bated breath.

Then the earl drew the dagger out.

"Ooh."

"What magnificence."

"This is, this is <Dagger of Harut>."

Gentle lights spilling out of the blade shined on everyone's face.

It's as if this dagger that holds the power to dispel curses possess the power to assuage people's hearts as well, the steepness on their faces have vanished.

The earl was enraptured by the dagger for quite some time but he eventually put it back in its scabbard.

Then he almost made a gesture to hand the dagger over to Tomaj for a moment, but he stopped short when he glanced at Lecan and put the dagger back on the table.

And then the earl spoke, but the voice coming out of his mouth was an even higher pitched than ever.

"Now then, Adventurer Lecan. I have a proposition for you."






Previous Chapter

2





Lecan was led to a luxurious room.

He was told to sit on a luxurious sofa.

Commander Doug stood near the wall.

A knight who was with Tomaj stood near the opposite wall.

Wonder if these kinds of knights are town lord's knights.

What a pain in the ass, might as well call anyone who looks the part a knight, thought Lecan.

Tomaj took a seat himself. The seat in front of Lecan is empty. Must be where the town lord will sit.

Not long after, Henjitt Douga and another knight entered the room. He's Tomaj's little brother.

"Good day, Aniue."

"Hey there, Henjitt."

"Is that man adventurer Lecan then. I see he's so nervous he forgot his manners when a noble arrives. Be at ease."

Lecan took a quick glance at Henjitt before talking to Tomaj.

"As requested by Vouka townlord, I have come here to show Earl Golbul <Dagger of Harut>. Will you get me the town lord."

"My father will be here soon. Please hold on a bit."

"Good grief, don't you know it's lunch time right now. These adventurers really have some free time on their hands."

They'd have been long done with this stuff if they just got to it earlier. Besides, go on and have lunch if it's lunch time. However, prepare one for your guests as well. That's all you need to do.

He could talk back, but Lecan is not good with words. Talking is nobles' main trade, he mustn't fight them in a verbal match. Besides, curbing his irritation and conceding all that he can concede would make things go over smoothly instead. Lecan didn't rebut as a result of that thinking.

"I see. Then I shall wait until the earl is here."

Lecan sunk back into the sofa, crossed his legs and brushed his chin with his right thumb and index finger. His beard has grown quite long.

"Y-You insolent fool! Aniue, we must cut down these impudent adventurers!"

The knight that was with Henjitt put his hand on his sword's grip.

"Henjitt. Lecan-dono has gone out of his way to come here responding to our invitation. You didn't even introduce yourself."

Henjitt had a sullen look on his face. But then he corrected his seating posture and gave his name.

"I am the second son of Earl Golbul Gaionus Douga, Henjitt Douga."

"I'm Lecan."

"I hear you conquered our Dungeon Golbul. A feat worthy of praise. Now is it indeed the truth that a <Dagger of Harut> emerged."

"Yea."

"Show me."

"No."

"What."

"I was asked this by Vouka townlord. Earl Golbul wishes to take a look at <Dagger of Harut> that was dropped in Dungeon Golbul, could you show it to him. I replied back that I don't have any intention to part with <Dagger of Harut>. Vouka town lord then told me that he would communicate my intent to you and asked me to at least show the dagger. So here I am."

"That is indeed true. So show me."

"You're not Earl Golbul."

"What."

"Henjitt. You shouldn't get too pushy. Lecan too, please don't provoke him. Henjitt merely means to say that he wants you to show him the real thing before you show it to father. Lecan, would you."

"No."

"Geez. I guess we've got no choice. You'll do it anyway once father gets here, right."

"Yea."

"Then I shall wait."

"Aniue, you cannot be so lax. You're too generous. That's exactly how these outlaws grow so impudent."

"Henjitt, you're over the line. Lecan-dono is the first person ever who has conquered Dungeon Golbul, he's a hero. Town lords who oversee dungeons are only worthy of that position due to the existence of adventurers who bring back grace items and materials from dungeons."

"But, Aniue."

"Now now, calm down. Lecan. Things have gotten a bit problematic, y'see."

"Hou."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Dungeon Golbul that had always remained unconquered, got conquered this year. And twice at that."

"Yea."

"That's a cause for celebration. As people won't flock to dungeons that can't be conquered. In fact, once the rumor about the conquest has spread, we've been getting more adventurers coming here, the town is flourishing."

"Looks like it. Seen lots of people."

"However, as a lord of this town, our family couldn't manage to confirm the items obtained from the dungeon boss. Ah, no."

Tomaj looked at commander Doug.

"Commander Doug confirmed that the first conquest netted you a golden potion didn't it. Well in any case, there's no issue with the golden potion. The problem is with <Dagger of Harut>."

"What's the problem."

"When you stayed at this town the other day, we threw a celebration along with the party. Thanks to that, we avoided having people say the lord of this town was too stingy to throw a party for a dungeon conquerer."

"Good for you."

"You went to Kogurus after that, didn't you. And then you stopped by this town once again, drank a lot of liquor and went to the dungeon once again early in the morning, so I heard."

"Yea. Got a sudden urge to fight a dungeon boss."

"I can't understand that urge. Anyway, you quickly defeated the dungeon boss and left the town before breakfast time."

"Something came up, you see."

That's a lie.

"Of course we quickly found out about the dungeon boss's defeat. All magic beasts in the dungeon vanished after all. It dawned on me and so I went to <White Pavilion>."

"I see."

"There I met your party members, Nike and Eda. Turned out you defeated the dungeon boss alone by yourself. So did you in your first conquest."

"I've been telling you that."

"I thought you were just joking around. And so, I managed to get Nike promise me to inform what you obtained in the second conquest."

"Yea."

"I got a message from Nike, <Dagger of Harut>, it said. Of course I believed it, it was the word of a gold rank adventurer after all."

"I see."

"Then, I got a bit too giddy. After all it's a <Dagger of Harut>, an item sought after by even the royalty. I ended up telling it to everyone. Which was fine in itself since adventurers flocked here as a result."

Lecan is starting to see where this is going.

"I got a stern scolding from father. Did you see that <Dagger of Harut> with your own two eyes, he said. And he's exactly right. Neither my father, me, my little brother or servants of our house have seen it with their own eyes. But the rumors had already spread. If the emergence of <Dagger of Harut> turned out to be a lie or a misunderstanding, father would completely lose his face."

"I see."

"Hence, my little brother was very eager to check whether it's truly <Dagger of Harut> or"

This was when the chamberlain announced the town lord's arrival.





Previous Chapter

1





Lecan finished his breakfast early and headed to the west gate.

All gates in this town open at two of Princess Turtle (Fengel) time.

Queues of travelers are already waiting inside and outside west and east gates, while vegetable carts from Patz and Rumoi villages are lined up outside south and north gates.

Just as the west gate opened, a familiar looking guard found Lecan and urged him to pass through without getting in the line.

"Thanks."

"Are you going somewhere. Have a safe trip."

The way the guard spoke to him changed. He's all polite now. The fact that Lecan has been promoted to Gold Rank Adventurer must have been communicated. This kind of trivial matters is a sign of the town lord's competent rules.

Lecan cast <Acceleration (Mora)> on himself.

The effect of the magic first manifested after running for about 100 steps, reaching maximum acceleration at 1000 steps.

He can run at a shockingly high speed using just a little stamina.

It's as if he's cutting through winds.

(What a wonderfully pleasant magic this is!)

Lecan experienced the pleasure of running for the first time.

This <Acceleration> magic can supposedly be cast on others. In other word, Nike could have cast it on Lecan during their first herb gathering outing together back then. Looking back, she never cast <Recovery> on him either.

Was that her way of telling to learn them himself, thought Lecan.

Golbul shortly came into view as Lecan was enjoying himself.

Just as he was about to arrive, a familiar man riding on a horse drew closer. The other party also noticed Lecan and slowed down his horse.

"Hey there, Lecan-dono."

"Commander Tesla huh. I see, the messenger was you."

"How'd you get here so fast? Did you set out yesterday?"

"No. Got out of town this morning when the gate opened."

"No way. And you've already gotten here? Well I guess it's you after all. I have passed on the message from our town lord to Earl Golbul-sama,  informing him that you have no intention of selling <Dagger of Harut>, and that you are willing to show it to him at least."

"Got it."

"Well then, give it your all."

Commander Tesla ran his horse once again after saying that, but then he stopped and turned around.

"You. You know about Article 28 of the Kingdom Laws right?"

"No."

"You don't? Article 28 of the Kingdom Laws is also known as <Dungeon Laws>. Here's what it says. <No one is to stop anyone entering dungeons>, <No laws are applicable inside dungeons>, <Ownership of every items possessed by those who come out of a dungeon is on him, her or them>."

"Weird how the laws regulate lawlessness in dungeons."

"True enough. Haha. Well, historically, the kingdom had made numerous attempts to uphold laws in dungeons, but never once it went well. In the end they ruled that laws don't reach dungeons to wash their hand of it entirely."

"I see."

"The important part to remember when you meet Earl Golbul is the <Ownership of every items possessed by those who come out of a dungeon is on him, her or them>. Some of tactics often used by Earl Golbul are telling promising adventurers to present any nice items they find, or to put it on auction, then later on they would claim that they had an agreement when they said that."

"I see."

"There are adventurers who explore dungeons by agreement for sure. So are adventurers who sell dungeon items as agreed upon in the agreement. However, all items an adventurer got in a dungeon is rightfully theirs. Whether to sell them or not is that adventurer's choice to take."

"Naturally."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Kingdom Laws take precedence over individual cases. The things you got in dungeons are yours."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Commander Tesla lowered his voice here.

"Don't let those Golbul bunch take you for a ride. Well, I reckon you'd be fine."

"Yea."

"Okay then, see you later!"

Commander Tesla turned his horse around and went back to town of Vouka.

Unusually enough for Lecan, he lightly waved with his right hand at the commander's back.

Lecan went inside town of Golbul and headed straight for the Dungeon Guards's station.

"Lecan! You're here already?"

Commander of Dungeon Golbul's Guards, Doug immediately greeted him.

"Sorry, but you gotta follow me to the lord's mansion now."

"Of course."

Mansion of Earl Golbul, Gaionis Douga was a gaudy garish one.

Doug led Lecan to the front gate. The gatekeeper seemed to be aware of Lecan's coming, he ran off into the mansion with a surprised look on his face without even trying to guide them inside.

Doug brought Lecan to a spacious entrance with many people busily running about, yet no one would greet either Doug or Lecan.

Lecan's sharp ears could hear them saying things like, 'he's here already', or 'wasn't it in the evening'.

The two were left standing for quite some time.

"Sorry about this, Lecan. This isn't how it should be. Someone in my position just don't get taken seriously in this mansion, see."

"I'm used to waiting at nobles' mansions. Those bunch don't even think adventurers as humans."

"Oy, oy, you shouldn't say that out loud."

Someone finally showed up, it was Tomaj Douga. Eldest son of Earl Golbul.

Lecan encountered the man once inside the dungeon, the same guy also entertained him when he dropped by this town back then.

"Hey, Lecan! Glad to have you here! Hahaha. Now come this way. Geez, what are you doing, Doug. How could you let our hero stand here of all place."

"S-sir."

"At least commander Doug stood here with me. In a span of time enough to have three meals, none of the people in this mansion greeted me or told me where to go and just left me standing here. Good to know how Earl Golbul treat adventurers."

"I had no idea. Sorry."

Tomaj bowed down deeply.

Lecan thought, ah crap. He ended up making the successor of a town lord bow to him.

(No, not good.)

(I've gotta behave modestly.)

(That's ultimately for the best.)

Lecan planned to adopt Shira's teaching to concede on everything he can concede once again.

However, he was quickly made aware that just as there are people where that works, there are also those where it doesn't.







Previous Chapter

Sisters

 

※Those who would like to recall the last moment of Nana's sisters, please refer to [5-12. Maze of Trazayuya (3)], (they survived in the published version, unlike in the web version.)

"This place is the ruins of the maze so I confirm."

Nana murmured as she looked at the valley below from on top of a mountain.

A huge amount of debris and rocks have piled up under the steep cliff.
This was the maze Nana's previous master, [Undead King (No Life King)] Zen had activated in order to encourage his own elimination.
Vegetation has grown on top of the debris during the last two years, you wouldn't know this was the place if you didn't actively look for it.

Nana surveyed the surroundings with calm eyes.

This is Zen's graveyard, as well as a sad place where Nana's sisters vanished into mana bubbles when Zen's Uniqe Skill [Limit Break] released powers beyond their limits.

"Is this all right?"
"Yes, Liza. The tombstones are correctly vertical so I inform."

We set up tombstones for Nana's sisters and Zen in the spot she picked.

Since we had no bodies to bury under the tombstones, we buried articles of Zen and Nana's sisters that had been put away inside my Storage by Auto Loot function instead.

"Nana."
"We've picked up some flowers."
"Please give them to your elder sisters."
"I thank you so I inform."

Nana took the flowers Mia, Arisa and Lulu picked and offered them before the graves.
She put her hands together to pray for the deceased, we also offered our silent prayers with her.

If only I had the power I have now back then, would there be a future where they survive I wonder...

After she was done praying, Nana looked at me.
It's hard to tell due to her lack of expression, but it feels kind of languid somehow.

"Master, would it be possible to reproduce my sisters, so I inquire."

Now that's one unexpected question.

I check my Storage.
The machines that created Nana got broken along with the collapse of [Maze of Trazayuya]. They look similar like the adjustment tanks used by the elves, but they appear to have been customized. I have documents left behind by Trazayuya-shi and Zen in my Storage, but not the complete sets.

"I believe so. But it seems like it'll take some time."
"Yes, Master. Requesting reproduction of my sisters so I wish."

A tinge of smile floated on Nana's expressionless face.

Okay, I gotta rev up the engine a bit.



◇



"U~n, I don't get what these parts about..."

Now that I've undertaken Nana's request, I'm doing research at Boruenan Forest to try to repair the machines.

I'm trying to recreate by the creator's intents by guessing from the surviving and destroyed parts, but it's not going too well, they're too unique.

"Satou, isn't that an implant to support the magic circles?"
"Wrong! That's an auxiliary device to adjust mana."
"We've got one already for that here though?"
"Maybe just one isn't enough?"
"I recall hearing about multiple rectification devices when I was observing No.8's creation so I report."
"I knew it! We'll proceed with that!"

The elves and Nana are helping me as assistants. Even the research loving elves from Burainan Clan and Beriunan Clan would occasionally visit and lend their opinions.

"Refreshment~?"
"Here comes sweets for your tired brains nanodesuyo."
"Nn, honey cake."

The girls brought provisions along with a sweet scent.
Us sugar-lacking researchers rushed to the sweets.

I quenched my throat with the superb blue tea Lulu poured, and supplied my brain with the honey cake Mia put aside for me.

"How is it going?"
"We've taken another step forward, but it's not proceeding too well from there."

I gave a lowdown to Arisa who asked for our progress.

I can make homonculi with the exact same shapes, but from simulations, their force magic circuits and expansion slots would turn out far inferior than Nana's initial state.

We're currently trying to review things, see if we could cut down on unknown and unnecessary circuits.

"Would be nice if we could ask the maker himself."

Arisa murmured as she shrugged.

...The maker himself?

"That's it!"

Since I've put a Marker on Trazayuya, I know his location simply by looking at Map.

I met him as tactician Touya at Weasel Empire, he was acting there as a spy for Goblin Demon Lord of Saga Empire, but now he's living together with the plain-faced reincarnated person making a living opening an alchemy shop at some remote country.

"Eh?"
"Zen is impossible, but I can go see Trazayuya-shi whenever I want."

There's a branch office of Echigoya Firm near the place where the Marker is, I've just got to fly with Flash Drive from there and I'll be there in a flash.

"Master, wishing to accompany you so I inform."
"An extra person is no problem at all."

I brought Nana with me to where Trazayuya is.

--Huh?

His dot shown on my Map disappeared.

"Master?"

We landed in a spot near Trazayuya's mansion while Nana had a question mark above her head.

"Looks like they went out."

Must have teleported away using the Unique Skill of that plain-faced reincarnated person who was with Trazayuya.

"Master, the stove is still lit under this pot, so I warn."

So Nana told me as she peeked in the house from a window.
Peeking in next to her, I saw a pot still being cooked left out, cups fallen on a table, and a half-finished document.

Wonder if something urgent came up?

"Let's come here again later."

Dunno when they'll be back after all.

"Yes, Master."

Nana nodded with a slightly dejected look.

It'd be bad if it turned into fire, so I put out the stove with magical psychokinesis [Magic Hand] and also cleaned up the fallen cups while I was at it.

Since Trazayuya wouldn't move from his new residence even after a few days had elapsed, I went there myself to see him.

--However.

"There is no one here so I report."

Just like a few days earlier, Trazayuya was nowhere to be seen in the residence he moved into.
They were here just now, must be another urgent business.

"Let's try catching up to them."
"Yes, Master."

The spot I can Unit Arrangement ourselves is a bit far from his location, but Flash Drive would get us there in a jiffy.

We teleported in, and headed for Trazayuya's residence, but he disappeared once again.

"Master."

Nana stares at me expressionlessly.

"Maybe Master is being avoided by the target so I ask."
"You think so too?"

I had my suspicion, but getting that pointed out is a bit awkward.


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



『Preparations for [Project Free Fall] is complete so I announce.』

Nana's voice, coming from inside the space ship's cockpit, was transmitted to my bone-conduction speaker.

I wave at the silhouettes reflected in the space ship's cockpit and plunged into the atmosphere with Flash Drive.
If they can find us from horizontal plane, then we'll just gotta barge in vertically.

I broke through speed of sound as the barrier created by [Canopy] magic protecting my body glowed red hot.

My views on grounds turned clear in a blink of an eye, the city that looked like a lump turned distinctive.
I would end up creating a crater on the ground if I kept this up so I moved into the garden of the target's house using sight-based Unit Arrangement to kill my inertia.

Then I saw a bald man standing up beyond the window with a flustered look on his face--Trazayuya.
He was gonna shout something, but I Unit Arranged right in front of him and teleported back onto the space ship above along with him before the plain-faced reincarnated person could react.

"--Kuh, just kill me."

Once I released Trazayuya on the floor of our space ship, he went and uttered the same line as some [captive knightess].

"Aren't you misunderstanding something?"
"And don't you harm Mio. That girl was merely following my orders."

We're not syncing up.

By the way, [Mio] is the name of the plain-faced reincarnated person.
Checking on Map, she's moving about in confusion inside the mansion Trazayuya vanished at.

"Looks like she's worried about you, wanna give her a call?"

After saying that, I connected us with an original space magic in the form a bidirectional video call screen between us.

『Touya-sama! Are you unhurt?!』
"What are you doing! I told you to immediately move out to the next base if I got abducted!"
『There is no point in a world without Touya-sama!』

They started some sort of drama.

I'm feeling guilty now they've gotten super serious.

"Now then, mind if we continue?"

I spoke out after letting it go for a bit.

"State your demands. I shall spare nothing now that you've taken Mio hostage."
『...Touya-sama.』

He took it as a threat even though I made this video call for them out of kindness.

Well, whatever. Let's get to the point.

"Could you show me the blueprints for the homonculus production system you used to build [Maze of Trazayuya]?"
"Is that all?"

Trazayuya opened his Item Box, took several rolls of blueprints, and several books of what appeared to be development diary and put them on top of a nearby table.

"This is everything."
"Don't mind if I take a look."

I put all the documents in Storage, quickly copied them with magic and put them back where they were.
Afterward, I used my Menu OCR function on the documents in my Storage and searched for the terms I was looking for.

I stumbled upon some uncertainties and cleared them all up by asking Trazayuya for answers.

Being able to have an interview with the creator itself is so handy.

"You have my thanks for the information. I've copied the documents, so you can have the originals back. I'd like to pay you for the information and the trouble--"
"No need."

Trazayuya curtly interrupted me.

"--No wait, I have two demands. Get me back to where I was, and don't concern yourself with us ever again."
"Got it. I promise to never have anything to do with you again so long as you don't do wrong on the world."

I gave my consent to the sour looking Trazayuya and teleported him back to the residence Mio was waiting.



◇



After I got the machine done thanks to Trazayuya's documents and explanations, I started the production process of Nana sisters right away.
No issue on the software side either. Since Zen had left behind detailed instructions and adjustments on the sisters' individualities.
When I found out the source of those girls' knowledge on the mysterious shoujo manga was from a shoujo manga Zen wrote himself, the shock was beyond description. He mentioned that he died in a war, but apparently shoujo manga already existed in the Japan he lived then.

I was done installing the education device while relishing on the shock, and then I brought the sisters along to meet Nana.

The meeting spot is not at the solitary island palace but at the place where [Maze of Trazayuya] was, per Nana's request.

"№１、№２、№３、№４、№５、№６、№８！"
"""Yes, Nana."""

Nana called the girls' production numbers with inexpressible feelings as she stood in front of seven people with the same faces as hers.
Numbers are too tasteless for names, let's give them real names later. Something like Ichiko-san or Ein-chan would be too boring, gotta think up something with a twist. Like Adein maybe.

Nana brought the sisters to the tombstones.

"Everyone should visit these graves, so I encourage."
"Whose graves are these, so I ask."
"These are predecessor sisters' graves so I inform."
"Are we the second generation then so I inquire."
"Might be even the third so I point out."

The sisters were lively.

Nana gave a short summary of what happened, after listening to that, the sisters put their hands together in front of the tombstones with a meek atmosphere on them despite the lack of expressions.

"Master, did I alone get rolled out during the manufacturing process, so I inquire."

Once they were done with the prayer, No.8 jumped and raised her hand, asking me.
She must have noticed the physical differences between her and her sisters.

In No.8 case, I didn't downsize her chest measurement and height by choice, that was just how it was with the preset.

"Don't worry about it, you'll grow up in no time."

I swiped and patted No.8's head, she squinted and pushed her head on my palm.

Suddenly noticing glances, I realized the other sisters were staring at me.
Pochi and Tama are already lining up behind No.8 with sparkly eyes like they were saying, [We're up next!]

"""Doing that only to No.8 is unfair so we report."""

Dunno if it's because they were manufactured all at once, but No.1's behavior feels kind of more childish than what I remember.

Well, I'm sure their individual personalities will blossom up eventually.

"It's time for a welcome party then!"
"These sisters have just been manufactured, they can only eat liquid food for now."
"Then we just make it a porridge party."
"Porridge~?"
"Pochi wanna eat onigiri-san nodesu!"
"Onigiri won't do, it's got to be liquid food."
"Indeed. It's either porridge or soup."
"Then let's treat them to deluxe consomme soup."
"Nn, look forward."
"""Yes Mia. We're looking forward to consomme soup so we report."""

Nana sisters and the girls are happily mingling.

As for the sisters' training, maybe sending them to the veteran elven masters after power leveling them to level 10 at Dejima Island's Phantasmal Labyrinth is a good idea?
After that, it'll be the usual training at Selbira Labyrinth until level 50, then we can take it easy.

"Master! Hurry hurry~"
"Master, let's party so I report."

The girls are calling for me in front of a gate connected to the solitary island palace.

I offered my prayer to the tombstones once again and ran to the gate the girls were waiting for me.



※ The next snippet is planned to be about the skipped sightseeing tour parts of chapter 14. I might put a questionnaire on twitter to decide which character gets the spotlight.
<TLN: The above is a message from the author, mistranslated some stuff earlier, corrected.>





Previous Chapter

18





At the Adventurer's Association, sent by the temple, the one representing the temple head was the vice head.

Lecan can't really handle this gentle-looking elderly woman who looks like she wouldn't kill a bug.

As for the town lord's representative, it's the son, Agito.

Lecan had brought Eda with him.

First, the temple representative recited the holy scripture to bless the town, the town lord and Adventurer's Association in god Ceres's name. Then the chairman of Adventurer's Association declared that he would award adventurer Lecan with the badge of gold rank adventurer as endorsed by the town lord.

"Lecan. Swear in god's name to protect this town as a gold rank adventurer."

"Which god."

"Whichever god is fine. A god you believe in."

"Really. I, adventurer Lecan swear to god Apodolos. To fight to the bitter end for as long as I live. To fight for freedom and peace as a gold rank adventurer. Yale."

Of course the freedom here refers to his own freedom, and the fight for peace is against those who threaten him and his friends.

Town lord representative, Agito gave a congratulatory address.

"Congratulations, Lecan-dono. As a representative of town lord, I have ascertained the proceeding of Award Ceremony for Gold Rank Adventurer Badge completed without issue. But this is the first time I've heard about this god Apodolos. What kind of god is it?"

"A war god, a guardian deity to all swordsmen and adventurers."

"What. Never heard of that god before. I see. A god to all adventurer huh. That's so like you Lecan."

"Us at the temple have no information about that god either. I would be pleased if you could explain to me more in detail."

"I've gotta go to Golbul for a minor business tomorrow, see. Gotta prepare for that today. I'm going home."

"Oh that's unfortunate. The temple and orphanage welcome your visit with open arms anytime."

"Don't wanna go to either. By the way, are adventurer's promotions something the temple attend to?"

"Not just attending, award ceremonies are normally done at the temples in other towns."

"Lecan. In this town, when Nike was getting promoted to gold rank adventurer, she insisted that the award ceremony was to be held at the Adventurer Association no matter what. So that became customary. Nike truly holds Adventurer's Association in high esteem. She's one sensible adventurer alright."

She probably just didn't want to go to the temple, but Lecan kept silent.

"Now then, Lecan. I know it's late, but I will now explain your privileges as a gold rank adventurer."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Privileges?"

"Indeed. First of all, gold rank adventurers do not have to pay tolls when entering and leaving any town including the royal capital. However, this exemption is only applied when you show your gold rank adventurer badge. You get to keep your silver rank badge with you. If you need to enter a town without divulging your status as a gold rank, use your silver rank badge instead."

There are towns that ask toll only when you enter, and towns that ask when you enter and leave. Vouka and Ninae are the former, Kogurus is the latter. There are also towns with no toll fee like Golbul.

"Next, golden rank adventurers can request a quick audience with town lords if they wish to provide information pertaining a problem in a town's public order. Gold rank adventurers are treated as if they are nobles in this case. For your information, this <audience with town lords> means more like getting to meet a representative appointed by the town lord."

Lecan was considerably surprised to hear practically-thug adventurers receiving the same treatment as nobles.

"Next up, gold rank adventurers are allowed to eliminate bandits they meet outside town gates at their own discretion. They are required to report the matter to the nearest town lord after the fact."

"Hold it. Doesn't matter if you're a gold rank adventurer or not, what's stopping you from taking care of bandits. You can't stop those bandits attacking wagons otherwise."

"That's not the point. You can deem someone as a bandit and eliminate them even when you don't catch them in the act. And decisions made by gold rank adventurers are respected."

This is an immense privilege. Gold rank adventurers are permitted to accuse their opponents as bandits and eliminate them. Of course, they'll get investigated and punished if they do it out in the open while being clearly in the wrong, but you could get quite far if you're smart about it. And there's no shortage of dubious mercantile caravans and the likes, gold rank adventurers could attack those and stash away part of the loot.

No wonder they acted like the matter with Vantaroy's gold rank adventurer working as a bandit leader would go over smoothly. The responsibility must weigh heavily on the town lord who endorsed that man.

"That is all the privileges applicable in all towns. I will now cover privileges that can only be enjoyed by gold rank adventurers designated in town of Vouka when they are inside town of Vouka. First of all, gold rank adventurers are allowed to run the horse they're riding on inside town of Vouka."

Commoners are allowed to pull their horses inside the town, but not riding them. Nobles can ride theirs, but only at walking pace, they're prohibited from making their horse run without a sound reason. Only express messengers of the town lord or nobles are allowed to run their horses. Wagons are not permitted to travel above slow march speed either. In other word, gold rank adventurers are treated on the same level as noble express messengers at least.

"Next, gold rank adventurers can pass the town gates without lining up."

That's pretty nice. Those gates are always crowded right before its opening and closing. Although Lecan has never experienced it himself, sometimes those standing in the back of queues end up getting left outside the gate as it shuts. They are forced to camp outside the gate when that happens.

"Next, in case of emergency, gold rank adventurers are allowed to take command of guard corps members after talking with the commander. In case the commander is not around, they can take command of guard corps members at their discretion."

That is an unbelievable privilege. Aren't they a bit too trusting in gold rank adventurers, thought Lecan.

"Lastly, when gold rank adventurers are acting under the town lord's personal quests, they hold the same level of commanding rights as knights'."

"Knights, as in the royally appointed ones?"

"Of course."

"That'd mean having higher commanding rights than ordinary nobles and the right to investigate ordinary noble houses."

"Indeed. However, this privilege is only active while you're executing your duty under town lord's order. Do not mix it up."

That's one unbelievable privilege.

Lecan was at a loss for words due to shock.

"Tell me one thing. Has there been any other gold rank adventurer besides Nike in this town?"

"No. You're the second one."

Apparently, this town's gold rank adventurers are a position with far bigger responsibilities than he originally thought. Lecan kind of felt like they got him real good.

Lecan went back home and prepared his departure for Golbul. In other word, he practiced <Acceleration>. After many failures, he managed to grasp the knack. He just needed to try it on site next, he went to bed early that night.





[Episode 20 Gold Rank Promotion] End/ Next [Episode 21 Duel at Town Lord Mansion]





Previous Chapter

15





"I can't believe you really came."

"Had a feeling you're still up."

"Well, make it quick then."

Lecan summed up the exchange he had at the town lord's mansion.

"Oh my my, nicely done. You're all grown up now."

"It's thanks to your advice."

"You did the right thing explaining the matter with Eda-chan to the town lord and making him promise to cover for her. People will eventually find out about it either way. Getting the town lord to your side early on is a job well done."

"I wasn't sure if that was for the best, so I'm glad to hear that from you. But how much can we trust the town lord here."

"You'll hit the same worry everywhere. This town's lord is the more decent one."

"Indeed."

"Hee. You really have changed."

"Since town lord-sama now knows about my <Purification>, does that mean I can cast <Purification> on people from now on?"

"Hold on. How'd it come to that."

"Eda-chan. Your kind heart is your greatest asset. However, casting <Recovery> and <Purification> every time you come across the sick and wounded will not end up well. Ask Lecan first when you want to cast <Recovery> or <Purification> on somebody."

"I got it."

"Don't worry, you'll figure out how to deal with it yourself if you keep at it."





16





It was evening by the time they got home.

Lecan practiced on <Acceleration> while Eda was making dinner.

He felt like he almost grasped something.


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


17





The next day, Lecan brought Eda to visit Norma.

"I see. You've told the truth about Eda to the town lord. I think that's a good thing. One advice from me."

"Let's hear it."

"I believe Eda being a <Purification> user will be known to this town's nobles and influential individuals sooner or later. But you'd better not carelessly tell everyone she knows <Purification> still."

"Fumu."

"In other word, don't say that Eda is anything more than a skilled <Recovery> user. You must not let up on that."

"I get it. Do you, Eda?"

"Errr. So it's like, I can't use <Purification> then?"

"That's not it, Eda. But, I want you to keep two things in mind."

"Two is it. Okay. What are those?"

"First of all, you can only recite <Purification> spell name when you're exploring dungeons with Lecan, or when you're in the presence of Shira-san, Lecan or me. You must never recite <Purification> spell name in front of anyone else."

"Un. I gotcha."

"And in your case, your casting of <Recovery> sometimes inadvertently turns into <Purification> depending on the state of the recipient like their illness and such. When that happens, insist that it's <Recovery> even if someone asks you if that is <Purification>. Tell them, no, I can't cast <Purification>."

"No, I can't cast <Purification>. All the spell I cast is <Recovery>."

"That's right. That's the way. By the way, Lecan."

"Hm?"

"Just as we discussed before, I've told those who were looking for your and Eda's <Recovery> that you two have no plan of coming back and the fee will be increased to one gold coin even if you did come back."

"Yeah."

"But some of them still aren't backing down in wanting your <Recovery> even with that quote."

"Hou."

One gold coin is about 100 day worth of a brick worker's salary.

Naturally, those who agree to pay one gold coin for a single cast of <Recovery> can't be commoners.

"Don't get it wrong, around half of those people don't come from a prosperous background. Nevertheless, they are willing to pay that much for the sake of their aged parents or their sick children."

"Lecan. I want to use <Recovery> for them."

"Yea."

The heart to help those suffering from illnesses and injuries is Eda's trait, Lecan cannot deny that nor will denying that erase that trait. Even though her upbringing wasn't the most fortunate herself, what a weird one, thought Lecan.

"Lecan. This might be our chance."

"Hm?"

"All other noble houses are already aware of Zepus's death. Rumors about its cause not being sickness as publicly announced are circulating as well. The public is also aware that there was a huge commotion at Goncourt Mansion the night Zepus died. I've been hearing so many rumors during my house calls."

"I see. I shouldn't be surprised."

"You and Eda are getting promoted to gold rank adventurers. You two are also dungeon conquerers, these news will spread quickly for sure."

"I get it between adventurers, but that's got nothing to do with general populace."

"No no. Why do you think town lord-sama personally invited you, gave explanation and sought your approval for. The news of two dungeon conquerers getting to be this town's gold rank adventurers will be talked about by everyone in this town in no time at all."

"Really. Guess that's how it works."

"You two are heroes, guardian deities of this town. Now then, if the fact that Eda is a high <Recovery> user gets made known during this fervor, what do you think will happen?"

"No clue. What's gonna happen?"

"Even the successor of Goncourt House lost his life because he abducted Eda, a high <Recovery> user that may also be a <Purification> user. That will serve as the ultimate chilling effect to the nobles and influential individuals living in this town."

"Mwuu."

Can a bird lives on while hiding its ability to fly from its surroundings. That's not something that can be concealed, a bird cannot not have wings as long as it stays a bird.

It's simply impossible to hide the fact that Eda is a high <Recovery> user as long as she keeps living in one place for a period of time.

Which means, what Norma said is right.

"The whole town will know Eda's skill in <Recovery> if she goes with you Norma, yeah. But there's no guarantee it'll get connected to the death of Goncourt House's eldest son, is there?"

"I believe the town lord will spread rumors about it amongst noble houses and prominent people."

"What?"

"Protecting Eda as long as she is in this town. Keeping nobles and influential individuals in check. That's what the town lord promised you, right?"

Thinking again, she's right. There's not a lot the town lord can do to protect Eda. The method Norma guessed the town lord would take is all but guaranteed.

"I see. Eda."

"Un."

"Do you want to use <Recovery> on the sick, following Norma's guidance."

"Un. I want to."

"I see. Got it. Norma."

"Yes?"

"When are you starting?"

"The earlier the better. Since tomorrow is a house call day, how about accompanying me tomorrow."

"Does it have to be house calls?"

"I intend to limit the usage of <Recovery> on patients with serious illness untreatable with other methods. Naturally it's got to be house calls. Letting her cast <Recovery> successively here could make it known that she can cast it almost limitlessly."

"I see. But wait. I'm heading for Golbul tomorrow."

"It's better if you don't come along."

"What?"

"Show them that Eda is under your protection even if you're not together. That will be ultimately for Eda's good."

He can't always be with her just because he's worried. Besides, he's gonna part way with her comes next year. He plans to check on her every once in a while though.

It's fine when he can afford to stay with her, but there's no way to tell what's gonna happen when he can't. Hence it's a good idea to leave her alone while keeping a watchful eye. Norma is indeed correct.

"You speak the truth. She'll be in your care."

Jinga was quietly listening to the conversation in the corner of the room.

His expression did not waver one bit.

He must have made his resolve.

(This man has abandoned the idea of reporting Eda to the marquis house.)

So saw Lecan.





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