CH 4

Narcissus Harbor III [An Idiot’s Missing Purpose]

TL: I don’t know what it was, and it might have just been me, but for some reason I had a really hard time with this chapter. Let me know if anything is incomprehensible!

Justa Welsea is from the Republic.

A country in the northwest, two years after the subjugation of the Demon King’s army it was invaded by the Empire. She had grown up the daughter of a chieftain in a remote town of that former Republic now ruled by the Empire.

Although her original homeland was not all that wealthy, the people from the area liked her, and her parents were also warm. But with the struggle from the Demon King’s Army followed by pressure from the Empire she could no longer afford to be weak. Therefore she learned how to fight from her father who was the chieftain, and she improved her abilities as a ninja and mastered the dagger and Kunai.

However, at that time she was at most only a 9 or 10 year-old girl. Therefore, she could not avoid the upcoming tragedy. Two years after the Demon King was known to have been defeated by five warriors. She lost everything. To that giant military nation, the Empire.

“…Imperial, Academy?” (Justa)

The words she spoke with a trembling voice was the name of her hated enemy.

“I am from the Imperial Academy, the ones who swallowed the Republic. More specifically, I am a magic librarian. I am you &$^*% enemy. So hurry up and get out of here.” (Desiree)

Just like before, an intense aura overflowed into this narrow alley that was even more intimidating. That indigo mist did not appear, but even so Just could not think of the man before as anything but a man beyond human strength.

As such, her instinct told her to run away.

However.

“Ttsu…!!” (Justa)

The sight before her eyes became clouded in red.

The enemy that she completely hated was now in front of her.

With that fact, even though she remembered being helped, her heart shook from the force of it. No matter how the man before her was wrapped in a tremendous aura. No matter how much of a gap there was between their capabilities. Even so, she was young, and the anger hidden in her heart was genuine.

That’s why she acted on reflex.

“Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!” (Justa)

“…Oioi, are you serious? This brat had more hatred than I thought…but” (Desiree)

Pulling out two daggers from her waist she made a slicing attack at his throat from a close distance. Then, just at it seemed the dagger would cut through skin, it somehow spun and flew out of her hands into the air.

“…Eh?” (Justa)

“Trying to take revenge, without even being aware of the difference in power, how amusing. Even if you are just a kid, you won’t survive. If you seriously want to take down the Empire, then you’ll have to use your %^&# head.” (Desiree)

“Ah, gu…” (Justa)

Having been hit too hard, her daggers were knocked away and she fell to the ground.

She did not understand what had happened. She could only understand one thing, that his right hand, which was carrying the large Naginata, had not moved at all. The dagger technique that she had trained with the chieftain had been deflected by his left hand. And also, without a weapon.

“A Ninja of the Republic?…certainly being able to fight with the two weapons of dagger and Kunai is an indicator.” (Desiree)

“Wha-what…” (Justa)

“But it is still immature. There were plenty of stronger people in that country. Just pick up your life and escape. Leave already.” (Desiree)

“…” (Justa)

Desiree waved his hands as if he was shooing a dog away.

His attitude was that Justa’s attack was nothing to him at all. The humiliation made blood rush to her head.

However, it certainly seemed that she wouldn’t be ale to beat him even with the Kunai hidden  in her pockets. Dropping her gaze to the fallen daggers around her, she understood just how powerless she was before the man in front of her.

“……” (Justa)

Even as she slowly moved to pick up a dagger, Desiree did not particularly move. He simply looked down at Justa, and did not do anything.

“…Even if I was saved” (Justa)

After collecting her daggers, only once Justa bowed her head slightly. In the blink of an eye, she turned around and leapt to the back of the alley where she disappeared.

He became alone in the narrow alley.

Carrying the Naginata over his shoulder, Desiree turned on his heel before suddenly thinking of something.

“A long time ago, I also had a strong opponent…however, lowering my head to the enemy, I could not do that.” (Desiree)

Well, such a thing is difficult to say.

“…” (Desiree)

He looked back without any expression.

Although she seemed a little older than Yatano, a ten-year-old girl still had a long way to go. Given her aims, it was easy to predict that she would eventually become a problem for the Academy.

He hoped that she would find happiness in the minimum of her desires being fulfilled.

Otherwise, she would have to live with resentment against an opponent like this for more than ten years.

For now it would be best to quickly return to the inn near the harbor in order to watch incoming people. It would be troublesome if it became known that a magic librarian crushed some Crusaders in a back alley, so he would have to return quickly. In any case, since he was in another country he was not required to wear his coat uniform.

It would be best if he gathered information while at the Narcissus Harbor and found what he was looking for. If he was able to obtain knowledge of its’ location, then it would only be a matter of disposal.

There is something he must do.

“…^&%$ demon.” (Desiree)

Absolutely intolerable.

The title given by Yatano in ridicule as “Shuten-killer” was not that bad of a name for Desiree when he thought about it carefully, but he was deadly serious.

Because that strange demon had destroyed his most important and highly developed laboratory, there had been a great blow and he had lost expenses for development.

Thanks to that he could not work on his favorite kind of research, and could only do field work.

Because of that, he would not be able to easily abandon his grudge.

It would be a mission requiring a long absence, but there was no concern to be found in Desiree’s expression.

“…Impossible? Whether or not it is possible is not for me to impose on another.” (Desiree) (TL: possible to forgive, I believe is what he means)

With a slight smile, he left that place.

(Shuten POV)

“I remember that moment when the old woman on that large boat passed by, and she screamed and swayed before crashing down noisily. (Shuten) (TL: This is my best guess for the mixture of sound effects Don, bura, kokko- that were used to tell this story.)

“What’s really unbelievable is that a Nine-tails and demon got on rowboat, but since we’re still moving I have not yet gone insane.” (Hiragi)

“Because that old woman fell down with her eyes rolling back into her head, I was seriously worried.” (Shuten)

“She was still younger than me.” (Hiragi)

“What are you trying to compete with?” (Shuten)

Hello, this is Shuten here.

After that, we finally saw land after rowing our boat, so we beached and climbed out on shore. For the old woman in the fishing boat who fainted, I think I am a little sorry.

I guess the aura that is leaking from me is somehow really bad?

“So, where are we?”

“Near the Narcissus Harbor. What do you want to do, go sightseeing in the night?”

“There are a considerable amount of Crusader Cross Legion guards keeping watch, and it is a port town that has kept the light’s lit until late evening.”

“Is that so?” (Shuten)

“Is your search going to take us further south than Narcissus Port?” (Hiragi)

“Hm…Probably. It feels like it’ll be just after proceeding.” (Shuten)

“I wonder if Tanto will be in our direction?” (Hiragi)

“In any case we’ll be passing through Tanto.” (Shuten)

Hiragi seems to have visited the Professor Country once before. Or rather she had been half-dragged around to visit. Although she complained about it a lot, in any case it seemed like she wasn’t too upset so it was a topic that didn’t need to be handled delicately.

After completely abandoning the boat, we continued southeast through the Northern sea port. Going straight this direction we can reach the mountain pass which crosses through the village of Tanto. The reaction of the pearl pieces is beyond the Tanto ranges, so there is no choice but to go through the indispensible mountain pass that crosses through it.

“It totally took seven days after all.” (Hiragi)

“Hahaha, if food ran out I had ingredients in front of me, so I was not concerned.” (Shuten)

“Me!? I am emergency food!?” (Hiragi)

“I won’t be eating anything like your arms and legs, but couldn’t you spare one or two of those useless tails?” (Shuten)

“Why would you even consider that!?! They are as important as the rest of my limbs!” (Hiragi)

“When you are that desperate, that means you don’t want to cook it unnecessarily. Is that right?” (Shuten)

“What on earth are you!? What kind of person do you think you are!?” (Hiragi)

“Kindred” (Shuten)

“Oh yeah that’s right!! Why is this thing my kindred…!?!” (Hiragi)

Like usual, Hiragi held her head.

After leaving the Empire, I’m feeling a bit more energetic. It’s become noisier, but that’s a good thing. Noisy, but good.

Well, I’d like to reconfirm some things since we’ve arrived at the Professor Country.

We had traveled across the sea from the Empire’s third continent towards the first continent in the southwest, but as soon as we arrived at the narcissus port at the northern end of the first continent, the reaction of the pearl piece still pointed to the southwest.

Now, as for the topic of pearl pieces being in Tanto. Well somewhere at the tip of the Tanto Ranges is actually the Professor country’s capitol, called “the capital of Eden.” Also, there are some villages, towns, towers, and caves between Tanto and Eden, but I am suspicious that it will be found at the Holy Central capitol.

That’s because there is a high possibility that just like in the Empire, the country has already secured it. Considering the level of magical abilities of the five countries including the Republic, the Professor Country is third only behind the Empire and the Principality. It would not be amusing if, after noticing something was going on, they would start an investigation on the pearl pieces.

That was why I thought it was a good time to head towards the capital city, Eden.

However, it is the main plot of Grimoire Lancer II that is a little concerning.

『Right now we’re going to have a party at the Professor’s place…』 (Veloce from V2 ch9)

Remember the energetic twin drill gothic loli?

Third Commander of the Demon King’s Army, “Imperator” Veloce Vie Atmosphere. (TL: from what I can tell, she is above even the Four Heavenly Demon Lords, and is one of the people who stand beside the Demon King)

Matching her words with my memories of Grimoire Lancer, what is most likely to happen is the Holy Central (聖府) Capital Defending Battle. It is the mission where you defend your homeland from the Makai Underground Imperial Army led by one of the Four Heavenly Demon Lords.

This event is continuous fighting with one of the Four Heavenly Generals on top of it, creating a battle without any breaks.

Even if a pearl piece is incorporated, I do not know what will happen.

“No, well, even if it is unavoidable…I also want to try and prevent it.” (Shuten)

“What? Isn’t there someone hunting you?” (Hiragi)

“Oh yeah, there was that monocle baldy.” (Shuten)

“Ah, that’s not what I meant.” (Hiragi)

“No, I can sense his gloomy presence even here.” (Shuten)

The Fifth Seat’s story, honestly I only learned about his existence after coming to this world. Perhaps he played an active role as a person, but confined himself to the Research Institute. He was interested in nothing else, and I destroyed it…which is probably why he will not forgive me even if I were to bribe him with a large amount of gold, well I cannot do anything about that now~. Just return the pearl pieces. Otherwise I will kill.

“For now, what are you going to do about monocle baldy?  Didn’t he say that he was coming after you?” (Hiragi)

“That reminds me, Hiragi hasn’t met him yet right? That’s how it went (あれはやべえぞ).” (Shuten)

“Y-yeah, somehow I know about him after hearing the story.” (Hiragi)

“That one is one of the best of the Imperial Academy. One of only ten people in this world—” (Shuten)

“No, I know that much.” (Hiragi)

“— a Magical Girl.” (Shuten)

“Seriously!?” (Hiragi)

“Aah, I just imagined that slicked-back idiot transforming into a dress, with a monocle…I guess.” (Shuten) (TL: Desiree as a magical girl, joining the ranks of Sailor Moon! XD )

“You are just making it worse by continuing to talk!” (Hiragi)

“You’re right, I think I got carried away.” (Shuten)

“Y-yeah…why is something like that chasing after you anyway? Sorry, but I won’t be able to fight with you.” (Hiragi)

“You are already willing to abandon me!? This is the crisis of your Kindred!?” (Shuten)

“No well, I mean, it’s impossible for me.” (Hiragi)

Are you saying that if you are in danger then you will forsake me!?

“Even if I feel guilty about it, you won’t die so it’s okay.” (Hiragi)

“Ah, no, well, I guess.” (Shuten)

“Then, please forgive me beforehand for withdrawing.” (Hiragi)

“Y-yeah? Eh, this is totally a first.” (Shuten) (う、うん？　あ、これ完全にまずった)

“What is?”  (Hiragi)

As Hiragi tilted her head towards me, I suddenly didn’t know what to say.

It certainly cannot be helped, but is that really all my own fault? (自業自得って奴かこれは)

“Ah um…” (Shuten)

“What?” (Hiragi)

“Well for the time being, Hiragi should understand why I do not want to encounter that person. As such, let’s go towards the Holy Central Capital so that we can avoid being caught up to or found. If it’s there, demons should probably be able to enter as well.” (Shuten)

“Then please properly train to hide your intimidating aura.” (Hiragi)

“Every day I’ve been trying my best but somehow I cannot do it!!” (Shuten)

“You don’t have to cry…” (Hiragi)

Hiragi suddenly pulled out my weakness, but I can’t do anything about it.

Or rather, Hiragi is not even hiding her tails.

“Well, I will also teach you how to hide your aura.” (Hiragi)

“Huh, seriously? Is hiding an aura really so easily done even by someone so shameless?” (Shuten)

“You really are unforgivable!?” (Hiragi)

Well, anything is better than nothing.

From that day into the evening, Hiragi’s Intimidation Aura Suppression Class will be held.