Vol 2 Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 6
City of Water Mermila III [Are you ready to go? Monocle Baldy]
The city of water Mermila.
From the fountain in the center there is a single big facility after heading to the south. The whole thing was painted white and s.h.i.+ned suspiciously pale, reflecting in the moonlight.
A thin stream of water ran through the town, creating a sound pleasant to the ears.
A loud noise of a door being kicked open greatly disturbed that harmony.
“The demon has entered the town…? Are you serious…?!” (Fifth Seat)
It was an intelligent young man who stood in front of the door, somehow managing his facial expression. His blue was slicked back. The monocle he wore combined with his sharp eyes created the impression of a scholar, further complemented by his slender tall body.
However, as the one who wielded the large naginata, it could be felt that rather than his usual dignified appearance his expression was of intense disdain.
Imperial Academy Book Division Agency, Magic Librarian Fifth Seat. There are very few people in the Empire who did know he was one who held the t.i.tle as the Honorary Director of the Imperial House Research Inst.i.tute. Even fewer didn’t know he hated demons.
He was a young man at the apex of the research inst.i.tute with a calm disposition. Though beloved by his subordinates, he was a man with a “cold pa.s.sion” who didn’t spoil them.
But he hated demons.
As for the reason why, it is impossible to ask. Even just because the ones called demons were mentioned, his expression had changed from dignity to disdain.
The expression of the Fifth Seat, which had summoned the Naginata from his grimoire, had become even more distorted at that time.
“…Why are you here.” (Fifth Seat) (何故貴様がそこに居る)
“Oh. Aren’t you going after it?” (Yatano) (あら。いけませんか？)
“I do not want to miss the approach of the demon.” (Fifth Seat) (魔族見逃して良い訳がねェんだよクソロリが)
“Hehe…is that so?” (Yatano)
He couldn’t bear it.
The person who stood beside the Fifth Seat and was giving him a hard time, also kept a pole over her shoulder. However, all likeness ended there, as unlike he who carried a naginata, she only graced her shoulder with an umbrella. The frustration of the Fifth Seat only increased further due to her presence though she wore a large comfortable grin.
“How is your research on the crystalline body of mana?” (Yatano)
“How annoying for you to ask…we’ll have to set it aside for now.” (Fifth Seat)
“So, what are you going to do now?” (Yatano)
“I guess I have decided to hunt down the demon.” (Fifth Seat)
As soon as he swung the large naginata over his shoulder, there rose a dull metal sound. This was caused by the coat only worn by the Fifth Seat, which was lined with a special metal inside. He had altered his own coat from standard uniform of the magic librarians.
The girl slowly looked him up and down and with a surprised “Oh my” put a hand to her mouth.
“What is it, I will defeat him.” (Fifth Seat)
“Not that…the research seems to be fun.” (Yatano)
*Snap*
There was the sound of something snapping. (TL: a run-on rant warning from our foul-mouthed researcher otaku)
“I find research enjoyable but I wonder if this stupid idiot even understands the ^*#%# romance of discovering the unknown so I should have exterminated all of you with my magical researching partner naginata as I was supposed to be living a fulfilling life of research even now but here I am crying in sorrow because of my plight when there&rsquo
s a mysterious object containing such immense magical energy but I have to go out and work even in a half-dead state without at least uncovering part of the mystery and the reason for this disappointment is because of this ^*#@*%# demon came while that foolish magic librarian Grendel has not yet returned so I couldn’t just leave the blunder alone while standing upwind even though if there had been enough time I could have observed the delicate phenomenon of these crystals up close after not gaining any glimpse of a clue to its origins and I should have been one step ahead but I was not even able to see the reaction even though the mystery was so exciting and I got all excited for nothing for those things I was supposed to experience but it is all okay even though it was your fault because I understand though even now I feel like I am being overshadowed by you, so even though I’m angry and irritated you will never understand my feelings even as I’m suffering Yatano Fuso Arcliiiigghht!!!” (Fifth Seat)
“Yes, this is Yatano.” (Yatano)
“I wasn’t expecting a reply from you when I just want to kill you!?” (Fifth Seat)
*Phew, Phew*
After taking a deep breath and glaring, he had received a smile and energetic reply. If his men were to see such a lack of self-restraint, he would have to apologize. Even so, he was tempted to release a terrible word. (それくらい、放つ覇気は凄まじいの一言だった。)
However, this is the Third Seat.
Against someone like her, wrath and indignation are blown away like the wind.
Tilting her umbrella, she smiled and bowed beautifully.
“…But is it an unknown mana crystal? Haven’t you seen any reaction?” (Yatano)
“Sigh, no you idiot. No matter what magical experiments we try to repeat, even including using other countries’ magic, it will not accept anything. It might even be better for the research if there was something like a destructive explosion. When nothing can be done except to mark a 0 on the records it leaves an irritating feeling.” (Fifth Seat)
“Then…are you sure it is a mana crystal?” (Yatano)
“Nothing else can be detected from the material but a nearly 100% purity magic or some kind of subst.i.tute, so that is why we do not know what exactly is going on.” (Fifth Seat)
In regards to research, he did not dislike being asked about such things. No matter what kind of person it was. No matter how long she has lived, Yatano is not a researcher. Naturally the young honorary director’s amount of knowledge was great for an individual. (当然そのあたりの知識量は若き名誉院長の方が上であった)
“Then maybe it is a solidified body of mana extracted from the world?” (Yatano)
“…I also considered that, but if it were coagulated into a crystal of mana, then there would be no way effect from applying a magician’s energy…No.” (Fifth Seat)
“If it is a high purity solidified magic that can be seen as a crystal of mana, then of course there would be no effect even when a magician’s energy is applied.” (Yatano)
“Wrong. It is not a solidified body. It is a pure crystal of extracted magical element…and it is an amorphous ultra-high-density mana crystal with no outer sh.e.l.l……!” (Fifth Seat)
“What is it…?” (Yatano)
There was one possibility.
Spontaneously, heat gathered in his hand holding the large naginata. It was not just a crystal of mana. If the formless mana of the world was extracted and partially solidified into a “high density aggregate” by chance, then there would not be an outer sh.e.l.l.
That crystal was not just a solid, and although it can be touched because it is high-density it is more like touching mana itself. It is like mana floating altogether on its own. (TL: To the best of my understanding, it is like the difference between elements. Say, for example, two gases that usually float around together are indistinguishable, but are drastically different chemically. And then if one coalesces in a controlled s.p.a.ce and changes form from say a gas to a liquid. I imagine it’s this kind of concept he’s talking about – though my knowledge is limited)
“It overturns common sense…A terrifying subst.i.tute could be made…!! If I write a thesis on this subject and announce it to the whole Empire our magic can reach greater heights…!!” (Fifth Seat)
“Umm. Is it ok to raise such a conflict?” (Yatano)
“Shut up!! A research that will lead the world is in front of me!! I must quickly research it!!
I will also make those hands only holding an umbrella do an a.s.sistant’s work (てめえもその番傘で助手紛いのことくらいはしてもらうぞ)!!” (Fifth Seat)
“No, well, that is…are you listening Desiree?” (Yatano)
“What is it!?” (Fifth Seat Desiree) (TL: p.r.o.nounced Deh-zir-ay)
What experiments would he start on as soon as he arrived back? There were many things to do. It felt like he had finally found a missing piece. Although he would like to start the experiment at once, he still had a few things to pick up and do to prepare before returning to the laboratory in consideration of safety, but Yatano pulled at the hem of the Fifth Seat – Desiree’s – coat.
In annoyance he pulled his coat to escape her hand, but something she said caught his attention.
Since he was frustrated in his attempt to return early he glared at her, though Yatano simply pointed to the gate of the research inst.i.tute.
“There is a visitor.” (Yatano)
“Oh, hey it’s Yatano-chan~…but hey, you look great!” (Shuten)
“Please stop calling me -chan over and over.” (Yatano)
Without metaphor, the movement of Desiree stopped. (比喩抜きに、デジレの動きが停止した)
What is that? With this timing just as he was about to return to his dream of a breakthrough in research. He thought it was okay to leave it as long as it wasn’t rampaging, but just as he thought so it bothered to come to this Imperial Academy 113 branch research inst.i.tute without knowing anything and jest trespa.s.sed, this guy.
Two twisted black horns, a demon.
“Deemmooooooooooonn!!!!!!” (Desiree)
“O-ohh? Who?” (Shuten)
“It’s Desiree McRein. (デジレ・マクレインで) Magic Librarian Fifth Seat.” (Yatano)
“Ah, I am the demon Shuten…n? Fifth Seat? Are you okay?” (Shuten)
Quivering in fury, the trembling was unconscious as his resentment welled up.
What was this situation. There was definitely a request for subjugation, but was he lucky enough for it to save him the trouble of searching? Does such an idiot exist? Later, he would see a reaction from the mysterious magical crystal. Even though he had refrained from a close impression (感動を間近に控えていたのに).
His thoughts exploded at the unexpected scene of this demon with no sense of crisis standing before him.
“This idiot demon has come at a terrible time!! It’s almost funny how close my desire for research could have been met twice yet this [email protected]# s^&*@* demon has crossed the line!!” (Desiree)
“Oh, I’m sorry were you busy? Rather than confronting a magic librarian, I can come back later.” (Shuten)
“Do not run!!!!” (Desiree)
“Eeh..?” (Shuten)
The demon had a genuinely unpleasant expression. For what purpose? Desiree held his grimoire Naginata and stared at the demon.
“Why are you so cheerful…do not think you can cross the threshold into the territory of the Imperial Academy and live to return home…!!” (Desiree)
“…Eh, why are you laughing?” (Shuten)
“A demon cheerfully heading home. (TL: this seems to be a pun which doesn’t translate well into English. Basically, cheerfulness is “Yoki” 陽気 and demon is also “Yoki” 妖鬼)
Isn’t it funny Desiree? Heheh.” (Yatano)
“Should I kill you both!?” (Desiree)
Along with the anger towards the bright laugh of the girl who smiled elegantly next to him, the ambition of Desiree increased.
“I and that nasty old hag there have been requested to subjugate you. And so that’s why—”
Twisting his body halfway and pointing his weapon downwards, his left hand traced slowly along the handle and separated from his right hand gripping it tightly. It was like a drawn bow, a stance aimed towards killing me.
“—Quickly die you &#$*@#* demon!” (Desiree)
The wind rippled at the feet of Desiree.
In an instant his figure disappeared, while at the same time the stone tile where he once stood was now crushed down.
The sound of clanging metal.
At the last moment, sparks scattered from the clash.
“…He-eh. I thought he was just a normal demon but…!!” (Yatano)
It was a moment that would be invisible by an ordinary person.
However, it was seen by Yatano. The sight of Shuten which not only received the attack of Desiree with a clang against his large axe, but had blocked it with a margin of s.p.a.ce.
Though the Naginata attempted to crush him from above, the big axe had caught it. Although if Shuten made one misstep he would be bisected, the relations.h.i.+p of power was opposite.
He (Desiree) leapt back towards the wall in outrage.
The instinct that brushed his mind caused Desiree to leap upwards in order to obtain s.p.a.ce to maneuver and adjust the power. (脳裏を掠めたその予感に、抜け目無く力加減を操って上空に舞い戻るデジレ)
He thought the demon was going to pursue, but he was allowed to land with a margin.
“…You seem nervous.”
“I’ve said it before, it is a habit of caution…!!” (Desiree)