Chapter 41 (1/2)

Forty-First Episode~ Clues & Spies

Translator’s Corner: Hey everyone, there’s an announcement about some changes that you can read  Enjoy~

Editor’s Corner: I will be leaving next week for a camping trip at 3AM MST Monday morning and returning friday Mid-Late in the day. I will get the chapters I miss fixed when I return.

Sabido’s figure appears from behind the throne with his distorted six eyed face. His black mantle bordered in purple is draped over his purple carapace armor.

The mantle flutters das.h.i.+ngly as he walks.

“Was it you who killed Kuna?”

“…Aah.”

Six eyes flow over Henkai, Rollo, and me.

The shape of his eye sockets is complicated and I cannot read his expression.

Henkai stares at the demonic being, Sabido.

Rollo’s hackles rise and she raises her bone swords in the air in precaution.

“Hou, I was suspicious when Kuna’s thought waves were interrupted but it seems she really did die. You who defeated the Kushanan race, known for being very cunning even amongst demonic being, are you really human?”

“I wonder?”

Then, I turn the black spear point to Sabido.

“Fumu, you suddenly wish to fight me?”

His six eyes twitch.

“I don’t have to fight?”

“Fuu, you said something funny. Didn’t you come to fight? I am good either way.”

Then, I guess I will give up on fighting him. Henkai does too.

Thus, I loosen my posture with the black spear.

“Well then, I’ll stop. I only came to get my things.”

“Oh? Fu, fuhahaha, you didn't come to fight. Interesting. After all, you aren’t normal. I like you. Would you tell me your name?”

“Shuya Kagari.”

“Shuya… Shuya. I am called “Sabido of the Purple Darkness” one of the seven demon commanders of the dark G.o.d. Would you make a contract with me?”

Seven Demon Commanders of the Dark G.o.d?

Is it like the Four Heavenly Kings? (TL: Wikipedia)

I don’t tsukkomi.

“Contract?”

“That’s right. I have contracted with human magicians in the old days.”

“N~, I’m not interested.”

“You decided fast. Would you like a magic tool?”

A magic tool, something in the same cla.s.s as this ring…

It would be bad if I got cursed so I will decline

This ring is enough.

“I already have ‘this” so I don’t have a particular need of one.”

Sabido’s six eyes notice the ring on my hand.

“Hou, that reminds me, you have the magic tool ring. The shape has changed…it looks like you managed to master it…”

“However, are you the master of this labyrinth? Is it okay to let us go after seeing you?”

In response to my question Sabido opens his mouth.

“-I surely am the master of this labyrinth. I am the ‘manager’ here. I have certainly slaughtered people before, it ‘won’t become hunting’ if from the perspective of a demonic being. Yet, that is the official stance. You, I understand that Shuya in particular is not normal. …I can judge that there are no guarantees to my safety either. I don’t want to waste my life? Besides…the purpose of the labyrinth has already been achieved enough. There’s no need to overdo it.”

Purpose?

“What purpose?”

“…Offerings to Rivguraf, the G.o.d of darkness. To nourish the labyrinth, not only that dwarf there, but other humans have contributed greatly.”

Rivguraf, G.o.d of Darkness.

One of the G.o.ds living in h.e.l.l.

At any rate, this guy is different than how he looks, he is wary and prudent…

“…This is surprising. I thought I would be attacked with no discussion.”

“Hah, if it was other demonic beings, it would be like that. Still, there are other reasons. Do you have a stone ball of return? Because that is here.”

It is natural, since Kuna sold them.

“This stone ball?”

“Fumu. With that you can return instantly.”

“I’ll do that. Well then, I guess if I return now that I’ve retrieved my favorite black tanza spear. Let’s return, Henkai. Take a stone.”

“Understood. I’ll take it-“

Henkai disappears the moment he grasps a stone.

Quickly, I as well.

“I’ll be going-“

While Sabido’s voice sound I grasp the stone.

The moment I store mana in the stone-the sense of air in my ears.

I return to the labyrinth entrance suddenly.

It seems I could return to the surface safely. It is still bright outside.

Henkai is looking around the area restlessly.

I am right in front of a stair case descending into the labyrinth.

“It seems you’ve returned.”

“Aah, I’m back after a long time. But, the six-eyed demonic being from earlier surprised me.”

“Well, it was my first encounter with an intelligent six-eyed being. But, as boss like character, his actions were understanding…”

Henkai’s temple twitches.

“Huh? Boss Character? Maa, there are various kinds of demonic beings. When I fought against the Elves, we were thoroughly deceived…that demonic being is sc.r.a.p.”

Henkai talks a little about the demonic beings.

“Seems like it. What will you do from here on out, Henkai? I’m returning to 【Hector】”

When I casually mention to name of the city, Henkai eyebrows scrunch up and he makes a confused face.

“Huh? 【Hector】? That battle ground…it became a town?”

“Aah, wait a moment. I’ll show you a map of the area now and how things have changed to save the explanation.”

Saying so, I take a map out from behind and show him.

“I understand…the big river is Haym River extending in south Maheim, 【Mount Burdock】 is the same. The topography doesn’t seem to have changed much. However, that battlefield is now a fort city… the cities to the north and south both have different names than the major cities I know. …There is no place named 【Rock City Yogoru】 or 【Langur Kingdom】. Everything from the past seems to have fallen to ruin…but, the blasted elves seem to have fallen equally too. The Elven 【Great Empire of Befarittsu】 country is gone too. I remember the 【Tower City Senaapua】 and the 【Labyrinth City Pernette】, Elven territory exists here. Is there a country? After all, the Elves are divided inside…”

According the Henkai’s explanation, the country in the mountains and rivers is in ruins. Such a word floats by.

Was Henkai trapped for hundreds of years?

He seemed to have fought the Elves in the past, but if he saw the present condition of Elves and Dwarves he would be shocked…

There is a Dwarf Empire underground. So…

Should I say like it is no big deal?

Ma, even if I, an ordinary human says that, he may not be able to believe it.

However…I might give him a hint.

“There is a rumor, there is a Dwarf country underground…”

“…Hou. I will remember that.”

Ah, did you already know about it?

I will try asking.

“Henkai, bringing it up now might be in bad taste, but have you heard of ‘Genju’s Sake Ball of Light’ or the ‘Wisdom Tree?'”

“N? I don’t know about the ‘Wisdom Tree,’ but I have heard of a legendary “Sake Ball of Light.” Isn’t it the Sake of Life? I’d like some of that. From what I’m told, isn’t it originally a ‘fruit of sake’ that grows from a huge tree? If you eat it you’ll receive power, and any wound will be healed, amongst other things. I think the story goes that it was created by the G.o.ds ‘Arotoshu, G.o.d of life,’ ‘Gaia, G.o.d of earth,’ and ‘Sateyura, G.o.d of plants?'”

Hooo. This onion oyaji is excellent.

Clue Get!

“Ooh, you know about it? I’m looking for it, do you know where it is?”

Rollo seems interested too, and leaning her small body towards Henkai while she sits on my shoulder.

“You want to know? Ahaha, searching for it? It’s doubtful whether or not such a thing exists. It’s a legend, a fairy tale. As for where it is, I don’t know. To start with, it’s something I heard about when I was young.”

Gaku…

“Is that so?”

“Nya.”

Rollo raises a small voice too, and crawls into my hood looking disappointed.

“c.r.a.p. You seem to be seriously looking…”

“No, it was difficult to even hear about this story. Well then, I’ll return to 【Hector】.”

“Is that so? I’ll return this map. It’s bad, but… will you take me to 【Hector】? I’ve been under your care, and you’ve taken good care of me.”

“Aah, it’s fine. It’s right here…come on.”

“Right here?”

I say so to a confused looking Henkai while coming down the stairs.

“Into the labyrinth?”

“Yup. Don’t be surprised. There are a lot of adventurers.”

“Understood.”

When we come down the stairs the crowd is the same as before.

Henkai looks surprised but says nothing and follows.

When I appear in front of the magic formation that leads to the guild, the adventurers are jumbled together.

“When you walk into the magic formation you will appear directly in the city’s adventurer’s guild.”

“Ooh, it’s surprising a metastasis formation is prepared. Was is that Kushanan’s doing?”

“Aah, it seems so. Kuna died, but the magic formation still seems to be functioning.”

“I see. There humans standing around together with Elf s.h.i.+ts, is it because they can enter the labyrinth?”

“Kuna was an adventurer too. -Ah, how do I explain to the guild that I killed her…”

“You should say she was a Kushanan demonic being.”

Henkai talks while he crosses his arms across his breast plate, floating a questioning expression.

“No, that Kuna woman was a B ranked adventurer? Like that, I teamed up with her, with the woman who built the metastasis magic formation? How do I face the guild and explain that the human who contributed was a demonic being? My words are only that of a mere adventurer, will they really believe me?”

“N~, it’s impossible.”

He agreed quickly.

After all, this is how it is.

“…Right? Ma, I’ll make something up…that’s right. I’ll go with her dying after being surrounded by a horde of hoguts in the labyrinth. Henkai, make up something suitable if you’re asked about our relations.h.i.+p at this guild.”

“I got it. If the adventurer’s guild becomes troublesome, Shuya will be silent. Also. Because I was held captive for so long, serving as rehabilitation, if I enter the city… What happens to s.h.i.+t Elves, besides, I’d also like to see the outside world. So, I intend to disappear in the town immediately.”

Henkai’s eyes look dark for a moment.

Is he going to be okay? Ma, I am not worried…

“…Sorry. Thank you.”

“Fuhaha, isn’t it you who helped me? This doesn’t matter.”

“I guess so.”

“Well then, I’ll go first. I won’t forget your kindness. Shall me meet again? See ya.”

“Ou.”

Henkai disappears in the magic formation, shaking his onion head and laughing.

Henkai.

He had a strange onion head, but he was a bold man.

Well, I already came up with a proper reason…

I will explain to the guild, but what if I am caught?

Will I be released if that happens?

Will the guild master come out, and have it turn into an investigation?…

No way, if it comes out that I killed her, the criminal information will be recorded on my guild card in real time-.

Ma, this is this, and that is that. As expected, things happen rapidly.

I can expect that won’t be on my adventurer’s card.

If something was going to happen with my card, it would have been my not being human coming out when I registered.

Blood and Mana.

It is related to Orimiru, the G.o.d of Order, perhaps, whether it happens…

Ma, worrying about it more will not help.

As I though before, should I say she died?

After collecting such a though, I set foot in the magic formation.

When I metastasize in the guild I cannot find Henkai.

He seems to have disappeared into the city like he said.

Being a little nervous, I start looking at the state of affairs around me.

The guild is more crowded than usual…or should I say, it seems to be busy with b.l.o.o.d.y adventurers, the guild staff is working.

And, adventurers carrying injured are appearing one after another from the metastasis formations.

While wondering, I got to a receptionist.

“I’m mad- Shark, Kiki!”

I hear a high pitched feminine voice coming from inside the guild, but I ignore it from now.

There is no available receptionist.

Something is going on.

The inside of the guild has been noisy since a while ago but there is no helping it so I line up.

I am waiting while leaning the spear on shoulder because there are so many people in the line.

While I am waiting, I produce the request items from the item box.

At this point I attract the attention of all the adventurers in the line, so I try to smile and gloss over it-

“Nii-chan, is that an ‘item box?’ Did you get it in Pernette?”

An adventurer lined up behind me talks.

I should make up a proper story.

“No, but it’s something like that.”

“I see. There are other labyrinth cities in Radford Empire, Hesfurato Holy Country…”

With such a feeling, the conversation continues safely with slight smiles.

After some minutes have pa.s.sed, it becomes my turn.

The receptionist is not the middle-aged man Kuna that I saw before entering the labyrinth. Instead it is a pretty Nekomimi that attracts attention.

“Here are the request items and card.”

“Yes. I’ll take them.”

Receptionist-san receives the request items and my card before heading back.

After a few minutes, she comes back with my card and money.