Vol 7 Chapter 122 (1/2)

Chapter 122: Future Dreams and Goals

Translator: Tseirp

Upon entering the entrance of Rockford, the fake city, I received the scouting report from Cathy that there weren’t any irregularities so we entered the interior.

“It would be great if this location wasn’t harmed …”

Lionel said apprehensively but Rockford was completely fine.

That is if not for the traces of destruction in the center of the town, but there wasn’t any location where land subsidence occurred.

We could confirm that Paula’s golem was moving about in the central square. We moved towards there while feeling relieved.

However, we came upon the situation where there were a large amount of ant corpses remaining in the central square and there was intense fighting due to multiple newly opened holes.

“Everyone, are you alright? We’ve returned. If there are any injured, I’ll heal them immediately.”

The moment I called out from outside the square, the 5-meter cla.s.s golem disappeared and Paula collapsed.

“Paula!?”

Before we could rush over, Dolan supported Paula.

“We’re saved. Luciel-sama, please help us plug the holes.”

Dolan looked over and conveyed his request.

It was obvious that it would be better to close up the holes since the central square was clearly riddled with holes so I immediately helped.

“Alright then, Lionel and others will exterminate the monsters coming out from the hole. Grand-san, could you cooperate with Dolan to bury the holes together?”

『Yes!』

Grand-san sought permission for the use of the magic stones.

“Luciel-dono, would it be alright if we used the magic stones?”

“Yes. Since it doesn’t appear that it would cost that many, the stones from that mountain-like pile of ants … no, I acknowledge the use of the magic stones we extracted from the ant monsters we had collected.”

“Understood.”

The filling of the holes didn’t take that much time but perhaps it was because of the fatigue acc.u.mulated from defending overnight, it felt like Rician and Dolan, as well as the people partic.i.p.ating in the battle in the city were trying their best to remain afoot.

“We will take over this situation so everyone please return home for now, have your meals and rest. Please sound out if there are any wounded individuals.”

After I announced that, a couple of people came over to request for treatment of injuries while the others conveyed their thanks and returned to their respective workshops.

“Dolan, what about your meals?”

“I ate the meal you left for me so I’m alright.”

“I see. What about Toretto-san?”

“Toretto does not have a combat profession so he’s disa.s.sembling the monsters.”

He’s most likely extracting magic stones or converting them into items that can be used for protective gear.

“Understood. Please take your time to rest.”

Dolan bowed and returned to his workshop while giving a piggyback ride to Paula.

Rician also left following them.

“Grand-san, please do the measurements for Lionel and the other’s weapons and armors.”

“Luciel-dono is not returning?”

“Yes. I wish to remain here for a while longer to organize my thoughts before returning. Lionel, Cathy and Kefin, you guys can go back as well.”

Grand-san nodded in acknowledgement and chased after Dolan but the 3 others had a discussion and it appeared that it was decided that Lionel would remain by my side.

After watching Cathy and Kefin head toward Dolan’s workshop, Lionel spoke to me first.

“We don’t think that you would fall into a hole again but just in case.”

” … I didn’t take into consideration such a thing though …”

I thought that I would be fine on my own but I felt embarra.s.sed the moment I said that so I turned my gaze to the square.

“It is natural for a person of Luciel-sama’s position to have a retainer by his side. You have to get used to it someday.”

“Is that so … but I can’t really accustom myself to it.”

“You’ll get used to it once 10 years pa.s.ses.”

Ten years is a long time and it was hard just trying to think about it.

Was it egotistical of me to think that I would have dispelled Lionel and Cathy’s slave contract by then and properly have them as my retinue?

While viewing the square, I talked to Lionel about our plans hereafter.

“I’ll ask since this is the opportunity to do so. There might come a time where we have to go to the Empire but would you be alright?”

” … If I would still be in the form of a slave, I believe I would be able to control my feelings. However, if my slave contract is dispelled, to be honest, I find it difficult to answer.”

” … I see. The plan hereafter would be to bring along Dolan to the Dwarf Kingdom and after that, go to the Meratoni town. Depending on the situation, I think I’ll have to consider going to Saint Schull’s church but the problem would be what comes after that.”

“Is Luciel-sama able to decide on your own where you would like to go?”

” Yeah, tentatively if nothing crops up. For me, it would be the Independent Magic City Nelldal? I’d like to try going there. I might become capable of using magic and isn’t a country floating in mid air amazing?”

“I see. However, if I am correct, the only way to enter that country would be to either ride on the dragon cages of the Empire, climb up the labyrinths in the Labyrinth Nation Grandol or request of the representatives of each country for an invitation from Nelldal right?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve never been there before but I’ve heard of that a long time ago.”

“I see. Well, I plan to spend a couple of months in Meratoni a.s.sembling everybody’s equipment. And return to the basics for a while and get trained by Instructor Broad. Furthermore, I’d like to see the battle between Lionel and Instructor Broad.”

“It feels like it would be endlessly enjoyable with Luciel-sama around.”

Lionel was rejoicing with his eyes s.h.i.+ning.

“And so, for Estia’s case, do you really not remember anything?”

” … Rather than having lost my memory, it feels more like my memory was diluted.”

“To what extent?”

“As if it was something I heard or didn’t heard of a couple of years ago, like having a vague recollection of it.”

“Did you recall when we met her outside?”

“I felt that I would not have recognized her if I did not look carefully.”

“More of forgetting instead of an illusion or hallucination huh?”

“I felt that there were recognition inhibition and concealment effects intermixed. Because it closely resembles Kefin’s Ninjutsu, I think that I might not forget if I get used to it …”

“I see … what do you think about her?”

” … If she is an Empire infiltrator, it is plausible that she entered by becoming a slave. However, by managing a person that they can’t recognize, she would not arouse the suspicion of being related to the Empire.”

“It’d be good if we are able to see through her acting but since it involves Spirits, it is unnecessarily bad.”

“It’s true that I don’t see her as a bad person so I won’t stop you if you make her your retainer but vigilance would be necessary in that case.”

” … It’s not my own intuition but it’s a mystery why Fornoir didn’t harbor any hostility toward her.”

“Luciel-sama’s horse?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard that animals are multiple times more intuitive compared to humans.

I’ve heard that human’s intuition is decided by their memories but animal’s intuition comes from survival instinct.

Fornoir approached on her own without disliking it. I think that it might be because she didn’t feel any malicious intent.”

“How great would it be if we had a magic tool to speak with animals.”

“To the extent that I would like to seriously have it constructed.”

Just like that, we conversed about various topics, had some light bouts after that and performed some magical power manipulation to kill time.

“This time, we should be able to extract a considerable amount of magic stones from the monster corpses we collected. I wish to use those to aim for the completion of that. The priority would go to the equipment first but I’d like Dolan to decide on what to proceed on after that.”

“Understood. Paula will consolidate the magic stones while Rician will a.s.sign attributes to the magic stone.”

” … Alright …”

“Then, once we’re done, can we develop new items?”

“Of course. I’ll be helping with the dismantling from tomorrow onward since it seems like it would be a considerable amount of magic stones and will be immense work but work hard.”

Grand-san was surprised when I said that but I ignored it as I made dinner and mandated that everyone go to bed earlier today.

After dinner, I returned to my room and conveyed the facts I newly discovered to the Pope-sama through the magic communication bead.

《… We have not been able to confirm the records. But, I would like you to bring Estia along to Saint Schull’s church headquarters.》

“I think that won’t be a problem but would it be alright?”

《You’ve already dispelled the slave crest right? Moreover, since Fornoir didn’t exhibit any hostility, there won’t be any problems … and I am curious as well.》

“Understood. I’ll return to the church headquarters temporarily before I go to Meratoni.”

《I think that it’ll be troublesome but please do so.》

“Yes!”

I ended with my reply and cut the communication.

All the darkness is connected to the Empire.

It didn’t seem like Lionel is particularly bothered about going there and it’s not like we’re going there this instant.

We’ll have to meet with Estia once more in order to find out more about the details.

Just as I had thought that I was over with it in Ienith, I was embroiled in the Dwarf Kingdom incident, I sure am short of luck lately. It’s not to the extent of suffering mentally but I do want to have the occasional opportunity to relax …

I’m tangled up with the Evil G.o.d due to the dragon seals, the Spirits are moving about freely and uncontrolled, and I’m swayed by my retinue’s feelings …

While feeling disappointed that although the blessings have a meaning in some manner, it had resulted in the narrowing my choices, I practiced my routine magical power manipulation and continuous chanting before going to sleep.