After what felt like both a long and short void of unconsciousness…
“Wake up, Niitan!”
“…Good morning.”
Ur was jolted awake by Akane, who was fluttering around in her fairy form. Normally, being forcefully woken from a deep sleep would be exhausting, but this time, he woke up easily and refreshed.
“…How long was I out?”
“Exactly two hours. I just woke up too.”
Diz was still in the middle of getting ready. Ur averted his gaze as he asked,
“What about Shizuku?”
“She’s already outside, preparing. Akane, go tell Shizuku that Ur’s up.”
“Roger!”
With that, Akane flew off. Left alone with Diz, Ur felt a bit awkward but tried to remain composed as he started putting on the clothes he’d discarded earlier.
“How’s your body feeling?”
“…About 70 or 80 percent?”
The heavy fatigue that had weighed him down before sleeping had mostly faded.
“That’s normal for the first time. You’ll get better at it with practice.”
“Your guidance really helped.”
It truly had. This technique would undoubtedly be invaluable in his future adventurer activities. It was that significant. Learning it here was a huge advantage.
“You’re welcome. It was worth the effort.”
“…Was that soul interference thing really that tough?”
“Well, yeah… it’s dangerous and difficult to use, but more than that…”
“More than that?”
“Um…”
She hesitated. Was it really that bad? After a moment, she muttered,
“It was embarrassing.”
…Even though we were practically naked and hugging?
He couldn’t see her face since he wasn’t looking her way, but he decided not to press further.
Finally finishing dressing, he glanced at Diz and saw she was almost ready too. In her hand was that crimson feathered hair ornament.
And the ears he’d glimpsed before losing consciousness were still there.
“…Hey, about those ears…”
It would’ve been strange not to ask. Ur cautiously inquired, and Diz nodded casually.
“Yeah, this hair ornament hides them with a perception-blocking spell. A gift from my stepfather.”
When she mentioned her stepfather, her expression softened for a moment. The way she held the ornament, cradling it, made it clear how much it meant to her.
“So, are you an elf?”
“A bit different.”
The odd phrasing made Ur frown.
“A half-elf, then?”
“Bingo. Got a problem with that?”
In this world, where diverse races coexist, interracial marriage is subtly forbidden by the temples. More precisely, they prohibit having children between different races.
It’s not due to faith… but because the results can be unpredictable.
Sometimes, the child inherits traits from one race, which is fine. But other times, the traits mix haphazardly, leading to deformities. There are cases where the outcome is truly undesirable.
Of course, once born, there’s no sin in their existence. Yet, there are those who despise such “aberrations.”
Ur knew about these prejudices. But…
“I’ve got even more unique people in my family. You think I’d care?”
He’d met nameless ones and even those who’d been driven out of cities due to their circumstances. He’d talked with them and knew they were just people, like anyone else.
Besides, with Akane, someone with [spirit posession], as his sister, he couldn’t afford to be prejudiced.
“Then, I’m not bothered, so I hope you won’t be either.”
“Mm…”
She said it almost pleadingly, then put on the hair ornament. Instantly, she was her usual confident self again. Ur watched her for a moment before saying,
“That’s a nice ornament. It suits you.”
“Right?”
Diz smiled brightly.
Outside the gates of the satellite city-state of Alto…
“Four high-grade healing potions, five stamina potions, five mana replenishment potions… I’m sorry. We didn’t have much stock of the stronger magic potions, so this is all we could prepare.”
“No, thank you, Tully. This should be enough for the battlefield.”
Diz nodded as she checked the potions handed over by Tully from the Lucky Bird Store.
“Impressive work, even on short notice. As expected of the Lucky Bird. Here’s the payment.”
“I can’t accept this.”
Tully immediately shook her head, refusing the gold and silver coins Diz offered. The other employees, including Rubus, did the same. But Diz pressed the coins into her hand.
“I told you earlier. There’s a good chance we might not succeed. Don’t get your hopes up. And if that happens, it’s up to you to protect the shop. Take it.”
“…”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Tully tried to argue but couldn’t find the words. She bowed deeply instead. Diz accepted the gesture, filled with various emotions, then turned her gaze to Ur and the others.
“Alright, Ur and Shizuku get three high-grade healing potions and four of the other magic potions. And one disposabl e 【Protection Necklace】 each.”
“Only one high-grade healing potion for you and Akane?”
“Akane doesn’t need healing potions, and I’m not holding back for your sake.”
“But still…”
Considering that Diz and Akane would likely face the most dangerous opponent, the necromancer, it felt unfair for them to receive fewer potions. But Diz didn’t budge.
“The kidnapped adventurers might not be unharmed. If it comes to it, we’ll need to heal them immediately.”
“Ugh…”
[Leave it to me, Niitan!]
Akane then playfully tapped Ur’s forehead.
[Diz, I’ll protect you!]
“Reliable, isn’t she?”
“Totally.”
It wasn’t enough to feel completely at ease, but it did lift some of the weight off his shoulders. Grateful, Ur thanked Akane and divided the potions with Shizuku into their pouches.
“Next, the 【Communication Device】. Copper-grade rings can do the same, but they’re not as precise.”
Diz handed over the earpiece-like device. It was unremarkable, something Ur had seen before. He put it on without issue, but Shizuku seemed unfamiliar with it, staring intently.
“Lady Diz, should we have a spare communication device just in case—”
“Hm?”
As they went back and forth, someone arrived.
“Good, we made it in time.”
It was Lenden of the 【Golden Hammer】. His men carried in Ur and Shizuku’s gear. From the looks of it, everything was polished to a pristine shine.
“Just as promised, we took good care of it! And here’s this.”
He handed over a leather holder. It was clear at a glance that it was meant to hold Shizuku’s magic book, 【Footprints of Fresh Snow】.
“Made from spare materials, but I put it together in a rush. S-S-Service, I guess!”
“Sounds like you’re malfunctioning from saying it so unnaturally.”
It was clearly a word he wasn’t used to, but the way he shuddered made Ur roll his eyes.
“Shut up! I’d never normally do something like this!”
“Thank you, Sir Lenden.”
Shizuku smiled brightly, and Lenden’s stern expression softened into a messy grin.
“Mm! Anyway, money is the foundation of society! A token of trust! Just as people worship the great sun god Zeuradia, we revere the spirit of gold, Goldio! Free work? That’s not our style!”
“We get it, no need to hammer it in. So, you’re bending your principles for this?”
“Yeah,” he answered immediately. His sharp gaze contrasted with his earlier relaxed smile as he looked toward the island, still bearing the scars of destruction and arson.
“As worshippers of gold, we can’t stand such lawless acts.”
“…Right.”
“I’m a 【Nameless】 too. I’ve been broke and struggled. But that doesn’t justify this madness.”
“Agreed.”
Ur, also a 【Nameless】, nodded. Lenden nodded back, satisfied, and tapped Ur’s chest with his fist.
“Do us proud, kid. Make them pay.”
“It’s just part of the job. I’ll make sure to cash in.”
“Earn well, and come back to spend it here, alright?”
It was an indirect way of saying “Come back safe,” and Ur raised his fist in response.
“Lady Diz. We’re ready too.”
Just then, Diz’s attendant, Jenna, arrived. Behind her was what appeared to be Diz’s carriage, pulled by a white and black horse. At the reins was Kona, Minne’s uncle.
“My! Lady Sul, you’ve become so beautiful!”
As Shizuku said, the white Sul and black Dal pulling the carriage had transformed. Along with their usual harnesses, they now wore armor-like gear, resembling warriors ready for battle. Their equipment seemed custom-made to match their coats. Sul, praised by Shizuku, happily nuzzled her.
“This one’s looking fierce—wait, don’t bite!”
The moment Ur tried to joke, Dal snapped his teeth, making Ur step back. Clearly, these horses were highly intelligent—they seemed to understand almost everything being said.
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