CH 15

A Wagon-less Route V [Since the Battle Ended, Now it’s a Meeting]

{Shuten POV}

Veloce had disappeared.

The battle was unbelievable. What was left was a road torn apart by lightning, ravines, and thrown boulders…there was also a little girl. That little girl was currently glaring at me. I would have been stuck if Yatano-chan wasn’t here. But I was also being cornered by Yatano-chan now.

Hiragi is…she seems to be talking with Crane and his friends and does not seem to be in any hurry to rush to her kindred’s aid.

…I am aware. I am aware that I have gotten caught up with Yatano and there is an air of awkwardness around us. I have noticed but I am pretending that I have not noticed.

“Shuten?” (Yatano)

“Yeah! What is it, Yatano-chan?” (Shuten)

“First of all, why do address me with a –chan but not Imperator?” (Yatano)

“Oh, well because…it suits your character more?” (Shuten)

“It seems I will need you to explain more thoroughly after all.” (Yatano)

Oh, this is troubling. Why are you getting mad Yatano-chan? Is it because I keep calling you –chan? That would be kind of funny though.

“What are you laughing about? Don’t tell me you really are planning on entering the Demon King’s Army?” (Yatano)

“Eh, I thought I had told you I had been scouted by them before this?” (Shuten)

“I thought that you had refused clearly! The Demon King’s Army is a symbol of the “Evil demons” who only cause an endless slaughter. Until that disappears…just like Hiragi’s circumstances…won’t people still feel perfectly justified in killing demons or tormenting them…?” (Yatano)

……Ah.

So that’s how it is. Yatano is antagonistic to the Demon King’s Army rather than to demons? Anti-Demon King……Well, of course that is rather common though.

“No, I do not intend to join them. However, I am a little indebted to Veloce for some encouragement earlier…” (Shuten)

“…Well, whatever. As long as you do not get caught by an incomprehensible woman who does not understand subtlety. This is important advice from your elder. Alright? Do you understand?” (Yatano)

“A woman who does not understand…” (Shuten)

No, I won’t say anymore.

Her anger disappeared after I had said ‘I do not intend to’ clearly, and so I decided to just change the subject.

“By the way, what is Yatano-chan doing here?” (Shuten)

“Ah, is that all?” (Yatano)

Rather, that’s what was most concerning.

I mean, first a strengthened Braument appeared before Crane trying to kill him, then me and Hiragi came in, followed by Veloce and then Yatano in front of Crane’s party. This was way different than the game.

Oh, I get it.

This is a divergence from the original that happened because of me and the pearl pieces.

…Ahh, I had thought it was like knowing the future – Advantage gone. At this point, taking more of the hidden items might be bad for Crane-kun. Although, since I already got the Master Kinagaishi and the Geta, it might be possible to get one more piece of equipment from the set.

“Following a strange woman who trespassed into the empire……Oh yeah, I met Desiree a little while ago, and he seems to have gone to Merrick.” (Yatano)

“So the one trying to kill me is in Merrick. He did say he would remember what I did.” (Shuten)[1]

“Hehe, it seems you two are on good terms.” (Yatano)

“That’s impossible.” (Shuten)

That Monocle-Baldy, since he got to Merrick ahead of me then would it be good to resolve myself for what’s to come?

There is a lovely shrine there with a long cultural heritage. Although it might make for an interesting scene, I think it would be an inappropriate place for a battle to the death.

“Thinking back on your battle, Yatano-chan is so overwhelming.” (Shuten)

“Hehe. Well, if it is against the Second Seat I would probably have no chance of winning though.” (Yatano)

“You have very different styles after all.” (Shuten)

“Oh, you know of him?” (Yatano)

“Well…I’ve heard a little bit.” (Shuten)

I know him. The main character of first Grimoire Lancer…and the predecessor to the main character in this world.

When Yatano said she had no chance of winning…did she instead mean that she ‘cannot’ win? Thinking about it, with the Second Seat as the opponent, wouldn’t there even be a slim possibility of winning as the Third Seat? But she had cut down the winning percentage to nothing.

“Which is stronger, the First Seat of Yatano?”

“…Well, I probably couldn’t win, but I wouldn’t want to fight in the first place, as neither of us would definitely not be satisfied with the battle.”

“I see.”

She truly is one of the three biggest cheat characters. I am saved that Yatano-chan wasn’t truly enraged. As for the Second Seat? That guy is in a different realm of cheaters.

“…Why do you know so much about the Second Seat? That worries me a little bit, but oh well. Where are you going to next?” (Yatano)

“Oh, yeah. My top priority is to go to the Capitol City Sanctuary [2]. There is something I want to see…and apart from that, my plan is to kill that &@$#@^% Desiree.” (Shuten)

“Oh my?” (Yatano)

…That’s all.

It is a bit strange that the pearl sensor from the goddess did not respond to Braument. As far as I know, it is that “a pearl I have discovered does not react.” Is there another reason, or have I seen the pearl piece before that has now strengthened Braument?…I wonder when he would have gotten one of those I have seen but not collected. I held my hand carefully against my chest where my pearl pieces were.

No, if the latter were really the case…I can’t imagine that Desiree would drop dead that easily though.

…It can’t be. As a thought crossed my mind, I remembered a small vampire girl with black hair.

“No, it has to be a strange gimmick. There must be another reason for sure.” (Shuten)

“What’s wrong?” (Yatano)

“Nothing…So Yatano-chan is wearing the black coat again today?” (Shuten)

“Because I am obligated to wear it when I work in another country…It is a bit embarrassing though.” (Yatano)

“Even though you don’t even have your arms through the sleeves.” (Shuten)

“Promise not to tell?” (Yatano)

Shh, she said with a wink, her finger against her lip.

She had already opened up her umbrella again to shade her face, and gave a happy laugh. As always, her words and behavior do not match her appearance.

“From here I will head to Merrick, what about Yatano-chan?” (Shuten)

“I will return to the Empire.” (Yatano)

“Oh really? That’s surprising.” (Shuten)

“It is because I have received orders, and since the second seat is absent I need to speak with the First Seat. In truth, I want to dispose of that incomprehensible woman with the twin drills so that she will not cause further sorrow.” (Yatano)

“Oh, so you dislike Veloce more that I thought.” (Shuten)

“Of course. Although she is human, she treats other humans like livestock…unforgivable. For the sake of the demons of the Empire, who were scattered, I can only think of her as spoiled.” (Yatano)

“Oh, that’s right.”

The Demon King’s Army “Imperator” Veloce Vie Atmosphere. Why you, a human being, are an executive of the Demon King’s Army…let’s ask about it next time.

In other words, if I go to the interview for one of the Four Heavenly Demon Lords, it seems likely that she would be willing to interview me herself. So that would be a good opportunity.

“Then, since some other problems have arisen, I will also need to handle the protection of the neighborhood. Isn’t the work of the Magic Librarians quite tough?” (Yatano)

“I can only visualize a leisurely stroll with your friends while snacking, like before.” (Shuten)

“It’s a patrol…for work.” (Yatano)

Yatano spoke seriously.

But, hey, why did she become silent and divert her gaze when I tried to make eye-contact?

“….fine, I admit that there are plenty enough patrols on the Silverwhite Highway.” (Yatano)

“Yeah, it’s good to be honest.” (Shuten)

That middle-aged woman who had a shop just off the side of the Silverwhite Highway…Ms Matilda? I hope she is doing well. When I have some more free time we should go there again and have a face-to-face chat with her.

However, considering Yatano’s Divine Phenomenon [Illuminating Providence of Heaven’s Harmony], just what kind of monstrous cheat-like Magic Librarian is she?…Well, I certainly feel like I cannot win against Yatano…How would anyone win?

I cannot imagine anyone who could win except the Second Seat…Oh, that reminded me of something, which I brought up to Yatano.

“Will Yatano be promoted to the Second Seat?” (Shuten)

“No, I wouldn’t want to have them remake my custom-order coat…and also, the burden of Second Seat is too heavy for me.” (Yatano)

“He was strong. The Second Seat was so strong.” (Shuten)

“Oh, so you had come across the strength of the Second Magic Librarian?” (Yatano)

“Not personally, but I saw it…” (Shuten)

He was the hero of the first game…but I think it would be too much to say that.

…However, something isn’t matching up? Hasn’t it been two years since he died without them filling his position?

“Why didn’t you guys appoint a new Second Seat as soon as the last one died?” (Shuten)

“…I will get angry if you ask too much…Would you like me to continue?” (Yatano)

“I-I guess.” (Shuten)

“There are two reasons for that. First is simply that there was no one talented enough to succeed that Second Seat…and second…was because his corpse was never found.” (Yatano)

“…Huh, but didn’t he die from the final battle with the Demon King?” (Shuten)

“That was just the official announcement…Actually…No, let’s put it this way. There was a possibility that the Second Seat was alive, so for the past two years I searched all over for him.”

“…and the result was he was not there.” (Shuten)

“Yeah. The Second Seat was vacant for two years, because of the uncertainty of his death, and rumors that he was ‘somewhere’ that no one knew of. However, if there is no further information by the end of the third year…he will be considered dead.” (Yatano)

“I see.”

I had heard for the first time that the body of the Second Seat was nowhere to be found…does that mean there is the possibility he is alive? In the ending of the first Grimoire Lancer, it certainly seemed like the Demon King had a empty hole blown through his chest, and had fallen to the ground in bewilderment, and so I thought the hero had been recovered, but…I do not understand.[3]

If he were alive, I would want his signature. He was the strongest hero in the game, and all players including me would long for it after all. To meet that person.

“So in the end, his corpse was never found?” (Shuten)

“There is no point in thinking about it, as the Second Seat…Eisenhart, will not be returning to the Imperial Academy.” (Yatano)

“I see.”

He will not come back. I don’t know if there is some background behind this assertion. And since there was an air of bitterness about her I couldn’t quite ask.

You look rather lonely, Yatano.

But Eisenhart? I knew that name from this world. Although I was silent at first, isn’t that the default player name?

No…Although the first protagonist was widely known as the Magic Librarian Second Seat, as a player you could choose the name, unlike the set name of the hero in the second game. But there was his original name. The second strongest Magic Librarian of the Imperial Academy, Eisenhart K Fangini.[4] That person. He was really cool. If he wasn’t dead I really would have wanted his autograph.

Remembering that he was a former colleague of Yatano, I looked over at her who was wearing a slightly gloomy expression.

The topic did not continue naturally, and there are a few other things I wanted to ask about anyway.

“By the way Yatano-chan” (Shuten)

“What do you want?” (Yatano)

“Even though this is a change of topic, but was I able to crush your suspicion of me a little while ago?” (Shuten)

“Yeah.”

“Also, the person you were talking about…?”

“Oh, there’s not need to say it out loud. What you are thinking is correct.” (Yatano)

“I see.” (Shuten)

Got it. Well, well, I only had my thoughts, but it looks like they are confirmed.

“Well, I think I will leave soon. Now that the “Imperator” and one of the Four Heavenly Kings are in the Professor Country, it is getting unpleasant here…If I don’t return to the Empire first then I will quickly get angry. Since Desiree is also in this country, I will leave it to him.” (Yatano)

“Okay, see you soon.” (Shuten)

…Huh, that’s true. We will probably meet again.” (Yatano)

Yatano-chan smiled gracefully. When she turned to leap away, when I heard the clack of her sandals…I suddenly remembered what I wanted to ask her.

“Right, Yatano-chan.” (Shuten)

“Somehow, you just won’t give up on the -chan…What is it?” (Yatano)

“Well, if it’s alright, could you possibly tell me about…who would most likely be appointed as the new Second Seat?” (Shuten)

If my thoughts are correct, after considering the power of Eisenhart, I only know of one person who seems to have the capability to match up at all in his place. And looking at Yatano, she tilted her head at me and gave me a gentle gaze.

“Yes, it is as you have imagined.” (Yatano)

Oh, it is him after all?

In such a way, without saying anything particularly embarrassing, Yatano affirmed my thoughts as if they had leaked out of my head.

“In the Second Seat, probably the Fifth Seat of the Imperial Magic Librarians…Desiree McRein will be appointed.” (Yatano)

“Haha…Undisputed strength in both name and reality, that &@$#@^%.” (Shuten)

The Magic Librarian with a Pearl Piece. As his influence increases, so does his power. It looks like the battle for the Pearl Pieces will continue to get even more extreme.

“Well then, till we meet again.” (Yatano)

“Oh, see you.” (Shuten)

After her farewell, there was the single clack from her wooden sandals.

Then Yatano disappeared from my side.

Translator Notes

「殺害対象はメリキド。シュテン、覚えた」Talking about DesireeThe capitol city, 聖府 translates to “Holy Office” or Sanctuary. I’m not sure if it is a title or the name of the city.グリモワール・ランサーＩのエンディングでは確かに魔王と差し違えてドテッ腹に風穴空いて倒れてたから、そのまま回収されたのかと思っていたが……分からんもんだ。“Eisenhart K. Fangini” from アイゼンハルト・K・ファンギーニ