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*Gi-ko, Gi-ko* (sfx, most likely, the sound of wood moving through water)
“I’m bored.”
“Even if you’re bored you do not have to do a single thing!?”
Hello, this is Shuten here.
Riding with an anxious Hiragi, from the beginning I had been rowing with great momentum. Obviously if you do the same thing for two days straight then you will get tired of it. Though all the swimming would have made me exhausted, I wonder if I would have gotten bored.
*Uma~* (sfx for being out of it) Everything was smooth-sailing until we stole a boat. We acquired a compass, and long-lasting preserved food. With these it will be possible to go to the harbor of the Professor country without delay.
“Because you were so reckless we went round and around in a ridiculous circle 23 times!” (Hiragi)
“Hahaha, after all it’s a given that the dominant hand will become stronger.” (Shuten)
“Ah, no more
well it’s fine for now, so let’s continue.” (Hiragi)
Extracting the compass from her chest pocket, Hiragi sighed.
When we arrived at the port town, I was quickly noticed by the people of Gelberic
It was already a strange game of tag. But we demons escaped!
“Even if its orientation matches, the latitude cannot deviate, but you do not even care.” (Shuten)
“Even if I had said anything the result would have been no different!” (Hiragi)
“Hahaha!” (Shuten)
As my arms were burning, Hiragi sat angrily in front of me. It is true that I got caught up in the momentum, but she doesn’t need to get so angry.
“So, do you know where you are going yet in the Professor Country?” (Hiragi)
“No, I don’t know what direction to go yet in the Professor Country.” (Shuten)
“Sigh~” (Hiragi)
While continuing to row, I think.
After landing at Narcissus Port, we will move as usual, following the response of the pearl pieces. There are ten remaining. I cannot be relieved until I find all of them.
I gave one to that vampire girl Flare Reel.
One was taken in by that #@$%& Desiree.
And three are inside of me.
With those I have seen one-third of the pearl pieces, but more than half of them are still scattered around the world.
Nevertheless, there will probably be more than a few discrepancies from the original path. As such, hastening to confirm the changes and make adjustments was a considerably important manner.
“You seem to be making a complex expression.” (Hiragi)
Hiragi leaned her cheek on her knee as she sat. She stared at me and said nothing. How strange, she looks like a proper adult when she has such a serious expression. The habits of a Spoiled-Tails.
“Ah, is that so?” (Shuten)
Would you call it a complicated expression?
Well, I do have my own doubts. I would say my expression is complicated, as there are surely a variety of emotions mixed together. There is the thought that I might not need to collect them all. If I’m told that I’m getting impatient, I can only nod.
However, it may be strange to say, but there are other emotions I have towards collecting the pearl pieces.
“Hmmm. I think that I want to gather them, but I do feel rather happy, probably because I like traveling?” (Shuten)
“Happy, huh?” (Hiragi)
As I recall, Hiragi may have mentioned that she also liked traveling.
I wonder if there are any other reasons.
Maybe. If there is

“What I’m looking for is scattered across the world.” (Shuten)
“
Ah, so this won’t end in the Professor Country then.” (Hiragi)
“It’s more than that
for me, collecting the scattered pieces from across this world
that’s it, it’s not an exaggeration to call it a man’s romance.” (Shuten)
“
So it’s more than just a search?” (Hiragi)
“I don’t know, Useless-Tails.” (Shuten)
“Why have you suddenly turned to insults!?” (Hiragi)
To Hiragi who has started hissing threateningly like a cat, I want to remind her that she is a fox.
As I told her before, this is something I am having fun doing.
Of course there is such a reason like being instructed to by the goddess. That was my first purpose, though it is more of a passive reason. There is also the fact that the story will not be able to progress if the world collapses.
The one thing Crane needs to do is kill the Devil King. Those are his only conditions. But if I fail then the world will be destroyed. I would feel terrible about that.
But I have one other reason.
That would be for my own Romance. (TL: as in, “a man’s romance”)
Since I have the strength, I can currently afford to think about such things.
I came to such a fantasy world, and decided myself to travel around and find these important items scattered across the countries.
To those like me, there is an understandable sense of excitement
If I do not gather all the pieces, then the world’s balance will be disturbed, I am traveling for such a mission.
No matter what you might say, it tickles the heartstrings of a guy like me.
It feels like I became the actual hero of an RPG, such a warm feeling. A journey seeking to become stronger is not bad, but having fun as well
being able to play an important role while adventuring is still a massive romance for me.
Of course, even if there was no purpose, but simply traveling in the wilderness of an RPG while easting tasty things like potatoes is not bad either. While hunting and asking around, it is fun to play, earn money, and travel freely.
But, it is good because there is only one. (だが、あれはă‚ȘンăƒȘăƒŒăƒŻăƒłă§ă‚ă‚‹ă‹ă‚‰è‰Żă„ă‚“ă )
The original purpose of the RPG should still be “slaying demons.” As for me I have a journey with the purpose of journeying to various places. I am responsible for collecting something, to travel around and then deliver it, and keep the world from collapsing.
A journey with such an extreme sense of purpose is just the kind of adventure RPG lovers such as myself like.
Therefore, it is fun. I am glad.
It is a journey where I can be a hero.
“It may be difficult to understand even if I explained it to you. There is the thrill of the romance, but there is also impatience. Do you get what I’m saying?” (Shuten)
“You know, you are easy to understand.” (Hiragi)
“And you are easy to tease.” (Shuten)
“I didn’t say that in order to get such a response from you!!” (Hiragi)
Ah she got mad again
!
Hiragi’s gaze then gathered past me at the horizon.
The fresh blue sky was gradually being dyed in orange. The surface of the water being rippled by the boat’s movement also gained a radiance from the reflected sunlight and became like a mix of acrylic paint. There was no land in our surroundings, only the true color of the sea.
“It’s just us two alone in the wide world.” (Shuten)
“You’re weird.” (Hiragi)
“Weird!?” (Shuten)
How terrible.
It seems that my books on romance are ineffective.
There is a light despair.
Wasn’t it a good phrase? Is it because a woman cannot understand a man’s romance? No but, isn’t this the kind of scene where a man and woman are alone together? Nnn?
What did I do wrong?
“
uh well, because that’s the kind of thing a cool guy says you know?” (Hiragi)
“I’m a fool?” (Shuten)
“I said you were cool!? Whatever, it’s useless, because you are a fool!! I don’t get it either!!” (Hiragi)
“Seriously?
So will you understand the romance better if I say something else?” (Shuten)
What, if I said something cool then please tell me. Along the lines of saying something like “Die you pigs!!” maybe? Well, this is probably not the time to be thinking about a line of words to say.
“What are you talking about
” (Hiragi)
Like this, since the topic of romance came out a while ago, shouldn’t there already be a feeling of romance in the air?
No but, even if girl before my eyes is a useless-tails, how is a romantic development impossible?
“Aren’t you thinking something rude right now?” (Hiragi)
“Hiragi has a very keen eye.” (Shuten)
“Oh thanks.” (Hiragi)
*Gi-ko, Gi-ko*
There was silence for a moment.
Then Hiragi seemed to notice something.
“Wait, so then you were actually being rude after all!” (Hiragi)
“If the other party has given up on romance, then it is impossible for us.” (Shuten)
“You are hopeless even when you are here.” (Hiragi)
She again gave a threat display. But you are not a cat. You are a fox.
“What, do you want to expel cool words?” (Hiragi)
“What is it? My search is a romance. I’m in a romantic mood.” (Shuten)
“Talking like it’s a food
But” (Hiragi)
“Huh?” (Shuten)
Hiragi’s cheeks seemed to have become somewhat red.
What, did these words embarrass you? I wonder if I teased her too roughly. I just got carried away.
Pressing one hand against her mouth, she seemed to be hesitating.
“
‘Sh-she’s mine now,’ was a bit
yeah it is not bad
are my true thoughts.” (Hiragi) (TL: from volume 2 chapter 10)
“Hahaha, who is the one who spoke like that!!” (Shuten)
“It was you!!!!” (Hiragi)
“What!?” (Shuten)
That’s right!!
“Sorry I wasn’t listening properly.” (Shuten)
“Why didn’t you listen properly!? Seriously! Why did you do it twice!?” (Hiragi)
“Such a thing! It doesn’t sound like the kind of speech I’d say that’s all!”
“Ah so noisy!! Shut up! Just shut up!” (Hiragi)
“Why don’t you!” (Shuten)
*Gugigi* I glared at Hiragi.

Hm?
“What’s that?” (Hiragi)
When Hiragi muttered such words, I turned to look at her line of sight.
Something floated on the sea’s surface. No, isn’t it some kind of monster?
A monster that looked like a dolphin with a horn. Its body was floating. Although that in of itself is not notable, the part that was concerning was the many wounds carved into its entire body.
“
Horned Dolphin?”
“Looks like it. The one who killed it is probably an enemy
Hm?”
“What’s the matter?”
Hiragi looked down from the boat as it floated past. The name of the monster was slightly different from what I remembered. That is because – what I had thought of was a monster known as an Assault Fin.
However, the color is certainly different. As Hiragi said, it is undoubtedly a Horned Dolphin.
Horned Dolphins are the highest species of Assault Fins. It is a relatively strong monster, a ridiculous predator that uses a system of lightning magic even though its natural habitat is the sea.
I also noticed something strange at the same time.
Originally, between the Professor Country and the Empire is the “West Sea,” but this particular monster should live in the “Central Territory waters” between the Principality and the East coast of the Empire.
So, what is it doing over here?
I felt kind of disgusted at this circumstance where the ecological system seems to have broken down.
“Originally it should be impossible to find one of these guys in this place.” (Shuten)
“Is that so?
I don’t know because I only know of the Horned Dolphin. I wonder if it’s even supposed to be over on this side?” (Hiragi)
“Only the Assault Fins of a deteriorating species are found around here. Horned Dolphins are only in the sea east of the Empire
It is strange that it would come to this area
I wonder if something happened?” (Shuten)
“Those wounds do not seem to be from a human’s skill. Although I cannot say that’s for certain as I myself have seen human exercising power beyond regular human skill.” (Hiragi)
“Well, that’s true.” (Shuten)
Hmmmm.
Although I tried to think it through a bit, I did not understand it.
While looking at the corpse of the Horned Dolphin floating past us, we suffered a feeling of discomfort for a moment on the surface of the sea.
The Port of Narcissus.
One of the only two ports in the country that connects to the Kingdom and the Empire.
Unlike the Imperial Gelberic Harbor, the common people often use it as a market though the soldiers of the Crusader Cross Legion, of which the royalty were proud of, were deployed here as well. In addition to those standing around, there were a number of soldiers in small groups patrolling.
Brick buildings lined the streets of the harbor alongside many booths filled with fresh fish from the boats. A vibrant town of brick and stalls, it is the stronghold of the crusaders. This distinctive landscape of two opposites living together showed the important existence of the port Narcissus Port town.
At that port town, a particular ship was entering the Narcissus harbor. Because it was a large vessel, many human figures of officials were seen scattered at the docks. The ship was marked with the swan emblem of the Professor Country, but most of the people on board were Imperials.
“
we arrived. According to the report, it seems that Oni-like demon took a boat and some miscellaneous supplies at the port of Gelberic.” (Desiree)
“According to reports from Gelberic they had trouble taking it out to sea, but the fact that those demons took a boat in the first place is a problem.” (Imperial)
“
that &@#%#$. No, it’s fine. I had a hard time leaving after all. Next time I will take care of such things myself.” (Desiree)
“Understood! The fortunes of war are yours!” (Imperial)
Two people came down from the ship’s ramp.
One was clothed in the familiar uniform of the Imperial Academy, while the other wore a long black coat. The young woman who seemed to be a subordinate saluted at the man in the coat, before turning on her heel with her scrolls of parchment and stepping off onto the pier.
“If he went that direction from Gelberic, there would be no other destination but here at Narcissus. In order to cut off any information being spread about the pearl pieces, I’ll just have to kill him immediately.” (Desiree)
Holding his naginata as he stepped down, the V symbol engraved on his coat could then be seen.
Desiree McRein, a man distinguished by his monocle and slicked-back blue hair, had arrived at the lands of the Professor Country.
Everything was to kill that foolish demon.