To break things down, Kurando has been screwed not once, not twice, but three times by the association. Ever since his initial registration, it isnât difficult to see that there are some ulterior motives going on.
It isnât normal for an association branch to quarrel with their local hunters over the honesty of a request as this can cause the credibility of that branch to fall. In the first place, the association wouldnât have experienced any lost even if there are shiodzuke requests that are left uncompleted. (T/N: a shiodzuke request is a leftover request no one completed or took up)
ăI donât believe it is an obligatory request. For starters, tell me more about the request.ă (Iraida)
A bomb had been dropped as they had been informed of something unexpected. Kurando and Iraida eagerly wait for the branch chiefâs explanation.
In a case of a magical beast stampede or a monster attack, a hunter can be asked to cooperate with the association. During such a time of crisis, the hunter association has the authority to forceful call upon a hunter they are affiliated with. If a hunter refuses to abide, they will be penalized or worse; they could be expelled.
ăIs there a monster stampede or a monster attack? I havenât heard anything of that nature.ă (Iraida)
The branch chief slides a single sheet of paper (request application) across the counter.
Iraida reads the suspicious request application.
Her eyes show a grim expression.
ăHow is this a monster stampede?ă (Iraida)
As she questions the branch chief, Iraida finger points to the application.
ăHow, itâs just as you have read. How does it not qualify as a monster stampede?ă (Yakofu)
ăI donât see how this could possibly qualify as a monster stampede. To begin with it is strange that you are calling upon Kurando.ă (Iraida)
Iraida is quite irritated; veins are popping up on her forehead and throat.
From behind them, Kurando takes a peek at the request.
It is a request recommended for Shiburoshika (ă·ăăă·ă«, 9th star). The recipient has 10 days to complete the request, and they may complete the request at their own discretion.
Locationă»the large tree near the edge of the village.
Subjugation targetă»a flock of Toukorusuka (é§çŸ€æ€éł„, ăă„ăłă«ăčă«, mist starling).
Proof of subjugationă»ăbeakă.
Expirationă»none, the request needs be turned in no less than one week from the acceptance date; inquire for more information.
Noteă»all targets must be subjugated; do not damage the large tree.
Rewardă»1 target is worth 1 Rodo, but payment will only be received after all targets are eliminated. (T/N: farm-able request, cough, cough)
ăIraidaă»Baagin, are you deaf? Please, read the request application again. The ămagical beastă Toukorusuka (mist starling) has built up a ăflockă near the villageâs water hole. Is that not a magical beast stampede?ă (Yakofu)
ăThatâs twisting the truth, besides.ă (Iraida)
ăWhat of it? The villagers need not fear the magical beasts with him here.ă (Yakofu)
Iraida furrows her brow.
From behind Iraida, Kurando asks a question.
ăI never heard of such a bird, can you tell me more about it. Is it normal for the flock to be there? What sort of damage are they causing?ă (Kurando)
Kurando barges into the conversation causing the branch chief to glare at him.
ăâŠâŠon the outskirts of town, there is a giant tree; the residents around that area are disturbed by the noise and excrement dropping from those magical beasts.ă (Yakofu)
ăWhat is the village chief doing?ă (Kurando)
ăWhat could the village chief do; a request came because he was unable to anything.ă (Yakofu)
ăHmm, well, how is the subjugation target different from common bird?ă (Kurando)
The branch chief ponders about what Kurando is trying to say.
Kurando is inquiring about the bad explanation the branch chief had given.
ăSo what youâre telling me is, if I were to try and use spirit magic to eliminate the birds all-at-once from the large tree; if there is even one left, another flock of them will suddenly appear and fly into the tree. Therefore, that is why they are having trouble with a flock of them as that is the birdâs distinctive feature.ă (Kurando)
The branch chief ponders about the confident expression Kurando is showing.
Iâll give some words of wisdom to the ignorant you; when it gets dark the flock of Toukorusuka (mist starling) will gather together to rest. It is best to catch them when they are all together. In other words, it is best to eliminate them when they have gathered at the large tree on the outskirts of the village. It is up to you to figure out how to accomplish that.
Remember they must all be exterminated; otherwise, the returning flock will be increased in number many times over.
If even one is missed a larger flock will settle in the tree. At first, the village chief was hesitant to pay the fee to get rid of the birds when they were small in number. The current state is a result of him trying to deal with it on his own as he merely increased their numbers.ă (Yakofu)
Third class magic is something that can be used in everyday life. ăMagic that does not aim to cause bloodshedă goes into this category. Kurando who is from modern day Japan cannot help himself from grinning when thinking about powerful magic. Compared to something like a kitchen knife or an automobile, magic with killing power is on another level.
ăMay I borrow a net from the association?ă (Kurando)
ăHahahahahaha, do you really think you can do it? Fine, I will lend you as many nets as you wantââhowever, everything is over if you fail; there will be no place left for you in this village.ă (Yakofu)
ăIs that so?ă (Kurando)
ăHey, Kurando.ă (Iraida)
Iraida looks toward Kurando with a flustered expression.
ăEven for me those conditions are troublesome. Think it over, no other hunter in this village will cooperate with you.ă (Iraida)
Kurandoâs expression doesnât change.
ăIraida youâll be assisting me, right?ă (Kurando)
Upon his words, Iraida blushes and her heart races. (T/N: smooth, make me wonder how was he single when he was in Japan or was he)
ăAs a leader (mentor) I can only provide assistance. As I have said before, this request would be difficult even for me. I wonât be able to provide much help.ă (Iraida)
ăIâll come up with a plan. Itâs nice to have someone watching my back. And besides, it is good enough that youâre worried about this request.ă (Kurando)
Iraida seems to have something she wanted to say, but she was unable to speak up.
Instead, she sighs.
ăWhatâs the difference; even if we work together, arenât you the one who has to come up with a plan?ă (Iraida)
ăWell, what does it matter; either way, I have to complete this obligatory request.ă (Kurando)
Iraida stays silent as there is nothing more she could say.
Iraida forms a party with Kurando to take up the obligatory request. Later if the request happens to end in failure, Iraida who has joined Kurandoâs party might likely not lose favor.
It is possible that the branch chief might take Iraidaâs rank into consideration and withdraw the request in fear that Iraida might slander him. In this village, the moniker ăqueen beeă is well known. For henceforth, the future request might become troublesome.
Kurando isnât worried about Iraida, but he is worried about the villagers.
The association insists on following rules even though âsaid ruleâ contradicts common sense.
ăWell, here you go.ă (Kurando)
Having said so, Kurando looks to the arrogant staff member.
At present, there is no need for Kurando to make a fuss over being a hunter. Although, Kurando does need to consider the possible that Makushiimu (ăăŻă·ăŒă ) might not return. For the time being, he needs to tolerate the situation.
The situation is comparable to the terms he had to abide by when he was still working in Japan. He is not troubled by the harsh conditions because Kurando can alway escape to somewhere else if that time ever comes.
The staff member who appears to seems to be use to this type of work processed the request. After Kurando gives his signature, a copy of the request is passed over to Kurando.
He looks over the copy of the request.
ăThis is an obligatory request; I canât tell how this is any difference from a normal request.ă (Kurando)
The staff member looks over towards the branch chief.
ăSo what of it. Is there anything else?ă (Yakofu)
ăI do have a demand. Ah, I want to borrow a big net.ă (Kurando)
The branch chief has an annoyed expression; he looks over towards the staff member and nods.
With a quick pace, the staff member goes to the back room. Another paper application is brought; Kurando signs it and a copy is handed over to Kurando.
ăPlease, go to the back to retrieve the net.ă (staff member)
ăHmm, okay I will.ă (Kurando)
Kurando exits the lobby and goes to the back of the building to borrow the biggest net he could get.
âââ
Kurando and Iraida exited the association building and headed to the large tree near the outskirts of the village. He had accepted the big net although, Kurando wasnât sure if he would need it.
After having exited the association build, Iraida crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrow. Her pose emphasizes the tan skin of her chest.
ăWhat do you plan to do?ă (Iraida)
ăIâm thinking about it now.ă (Kurando)
He borrowed the net just in case they might need it. If they didnât use it, he merely has to return it.
In response to Kurandoâs lack of a plan, Iraida shows a grim expression.
ăDo you really know what youâre doing?ă (Iraida)
ăItâs not like things can be helped as it was an obligatory request.ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠIâve never heard such an obligatory request, though.ă (Iraida)
Kurando shrugs his shoulders.
ăWhat do you want me to, run away with my tail between my legs.ă (Kurando)
Iraidaâs expression loosen and she appears amused.
ăAnyhow, I live on the mountain. But still.ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠIâm not trying to meddle but, do you have any family?ă (Iraida)
ăAloneâŠâŠ ah, myself and one animal?ă (Kurando)
Kurando goes into a mumbling monolog; Iraida wonders what Kurando was going on about. (T/N: and so do I)
ăBut, if I fail, they might try to manipulate Iraida. It does have the potential to be an honest obligatory request if all the villages come together, even the ban on the use of third class magic was lifted. Perhaps the branch chief and the village chief are both short on money.ă (Kurando)
Iraida felt uneasy when she noticed that Kurando seems to think the situation is someone elseâs problem.
ăDid you not want to become a hunter?ă (Iraida)
ăâŠâŠah, Iraida there is no need for you to concern yourself with that matter. Registering as a hunter is no hindrance; although up until now, it has been a pain.ă (Kurando)
ăThan, would it not be best to not be one? This is my first time seeing an association branch being so harsh.ă (Iraida)
ăI have my own circumstances. There are worst things to be than a hunter. Iraida, youâre a volunteer leader (mentor), there is no need for you to apologize.ă (Kurando)
ăAre you aware of the other towns in this area? Well, there are a few unknown areaâs where people inhabit as this is a frontier region. Around Tansuku (ăżăłăčăŻ) there is one, no two villages without an association branch. But, they all belong to the same united kingdom of Buruoruda (éŁćçćœăźăă«ăȘă«ă).ă (Iraida)
ăI see, so thatâs how it is. What about the area around the mountain? Will you show me a map next time?ă (Kurando)
ăI can show you a map anything time, but what is it about you and this mountainâŠă (Iraida)
He tells her the story that Makushiimu had fabricated about Kurandoâs origin. Although, the part where Kurando was summoned is excluded.
Kurando was abandoned as a child on the mountain which he has never left. He was later found by Makushiimu.
ăAn abandoned childâŠâŠ it mustâve been difficult. But of all things, you were recommended by Makushiimuă»Daaru (ăăŻă·ăŒă ă»ăăŒă«). And thus in the end things sure has become troublesome for you.ă (Iraida)
Iraida doesnât seem to doubt him. Kurando feels regret.
ăIs he an acquaintance of yours?ă (Kurando)
Iraida makes a bitter expression.
ăâŠâŠ I meet him in my younger days, thereâs nothing more to it.ă (Iraida)
Kurando is curious as to why Iraida is pouting.
ăHmm, is there anything worth mentioning?ă (Kurando)
A vein on Iraidaâs forehead twitched as she glares at Kurando.
They arrive at the large tree near the outskirts of the village.
There they hear unpleasant chirping; chirp, chirp, chirp.
Rising above the earth wall located near the backside of the village is a large tree. The large tree isnât too tall but it is wide in width.
The mangrove looks to be a collection of trees fused into one.
ăIs this a tree the whimsical goddess, Eganadia (ăšăŹăăăŁăą), created? The blue fruits are bitter inside making them inedible. The yellow ones are sour, but the red ones are delicious; I heard they are good for hangovers and travel sickness.ă (Iraida)
The fruits on the tree are still blue.
Hidden inside the tree there is numerous tiny bird. Their poop is scattered around the foot of the tree.
The average size of one of these small birds is about the size of a chickenâs egg.
ăThis is quite eerie.ă (Iraida)
Iraida rubs the goose bumps on her arms.
ăOnce again, another unreasonable demand. How is this a Shiburoshika (9th star) rank request?ă (Kurando)
ăThatâs what Iâve been telling youâŠâŠ well, they probably couldnât afford to pay much.ă (Iraida)
Iraida rebukes the astonished Kurando.
ăWell, let me think about it for a while. Iâm off to check the general store.ă (Kurando)
Kurando heads back to the main road on which the general store is located.
ăWhat will you be doing in the meantime, Iraida; will you come with me?ă (Kurando)
ăIs it not the leaderâs (mentor) role to watch over the newcomer so that they donât run away?ă (Iraida)
Iraida smiles.
Her smiles is as furious as alway.
Kurando doesnât say anything; he merely laughs out loud. Iraidaâs fist mercilessly drops down on his head.