Chapter 54
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nChapter 54
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nFifty-Fourth Episode~ Expert Blacksmith from the Slave Market
nFor these past few days, I have stopped searching for the mirrors using the gate .
nContinuing to live freely while taking requests, I go out for a walk .
nShuya Kagari enters a different world, a back street path .
nI walk happily while feeling the refreshing winds and there is a reporter type of feeling .
nI see the condition of the people who live in the city as I walk around .
nA place washing leather using a washboard and pail, laundry is being air dried or dried with life wind magic . There seems to be small jointly owned gardens . There is a person cultivating the ground while watering it with magic .
nA small side door of a general store is opened and I peep inside . There is betting revolved around boxing in a barred in the area, bodice, a beautiful prostitute with curly hair and a sleeveless jacket…
nI walk through the downtown area of 【Fort City Hector】 with such a feeling .
nThe sewers are maintained and there are public restrooms available . There is no scene of ** being thrown into the street .
nYosh, this is enough for today, I will not walk much more .
nToday is the day I will be receiving the armor I ordered .
nI am going to Zaga & Bon’s shop once I get a little exercise .
nI go ahead through the small alley to the residential area’s vacant square .
nPieces of cloth are spread out between the eaves overhanging the alley .
nThe ground is dark, and even though it has not rained the air is humid .
nHowever, I do not hate it . I calm down slightly . This is because I hear the laughter and voices of people working under the cloth roofs .
nAn atmosphere peculiar to downtown .
nWhile I am enjoying the calm, the vacant land spreads out in front of me .
nThere is a cloth roof before the small alley I pass through .
nThe vacant land that exists all alone .
nI am not here for radio exercises; I am here to train . (TL: During the summer in Japan elementary aged children go out to nearby parks in the area to do radio broadcasted exercises . They get a stamp for doing it and local shops may give them something small as a reward . )
n“Rollo, I’m going to train, so you can play . ”
n“Nya . ”
nRollo calls out lightheartedly and jumps down from my shoulder .
nLike that, she walks along the wall of the residential area .
nA few hours later-
nRollo does not return even after I have finished training .
nAra? She normally comes back immediately .
nWhile whistling, I walk in the direction that Rollo disappeared .
nAt that time, the laughter of children comes from around the corner .
nI head there .
nAh, there she is . Rollo is playing with children .
nThey seem to be racing .
nRollo lets the children catch her .
nShe licks the children with a *pero-pero* when caught .
nThe children and happily going *kya-kya-kya* and putting their faces in Rollo’s belly and going *fuu-fuu* in retaliation .
nHaha, the children’s smiles are good . They seem happy playing .
nIt is unfortunate for the happily playing children, but I whistle to Rollo, letting her know I had come .
nRollo’s ears immediately stand up straight in response to the whistle .
nShe turns her small face to me and stops playing with the children, running back to me .
nRollo rubs her head against my leg and then climbs up my right arm before taking up her usual position .
nThe children gather too, tempted by Rollo .
n“-Waa, your face is flat . Is that your cat onii-chan?”
n“Ahaha, it’s good, riding on the shoulder~”
n“-Me too, me too~”
n“Onii-chan is tall~”
n“Naa, onii-chan, let’s have a ‘throw’ match . ”
nI introduce myself simply with a smile .
n“That’s right . This cat is my Familiar, my pet . ”
n“N, nya . ”
nRollo speaks too .
n“Heh, ama~zing . She answered . ”
n“N, is she saying yes or no?”
n“Ryoryo, baka, ” (TL: Uh, I give up on the second part まほうのせいぶつとか、めしつかいのことだよ)ED: WELL… .
n“That’s right, Tatan is smart~”
n“Heeeh, amazing onii-chan, are you popular?”
n“That’s right . ”
nI talk boastfully to the children .
n“-Oooh . ”
n“Amazing . ”
nThe children look at me in surprise and with eyes full of excitement .
nPlaying with kids like this is good, but I need to go to the Dwarf’s shop .
n“…Well then, I have somewhere I need to be, so bye~”
n“Eeh, don’t go . ”
n“Bye~”
n“Neko-chan, bye . ”
n“What about the throwing game~?”
nAlthough I wave a hand .
n“Sorry . I have to go . ”
nSaying so, I part from the children and head towards the shop of the dwarf brothers .
nI hear the voices of the children behind me saying “Good-bye” in imitation .
nNow then, I am excited about the armor I ordered .
nWhat will it be like?
nI walk through the alley with a grin .
nOn the way, I get lost but back track to the main street and somehow remember the way .
nAnd then, I arrive at the dwarf brother’s shop .
n“Encha? Enchant!”
n“Nn, Nyao . ”
nBon meets us when we approach the store .
nRollo makes a rumbling sound when she sees Bonn and jumps from my shoulder .
nShe is running towards Bon .
nBon seems happy loudly exchanging words with Rollo .
n“Haha, what a strange conversation . ”
nThereupon, Zaga appears from the shop .
n“Oh, I was thinking Bon was being noisy and it’s Shuya? Mou, the armor is already made . Come in-“
n“Yes . Rollo, I’m going inside . ”
n“Nya . ”
n“Enchant . ”
nRollo returns to my shoulder .
nBon comes along as well .
nEntering the shop, I am led to a desk .
nThe new armor I ordered is placed there .
nThis is the armor that Zaga and Bon built for me .
nIt has a wonderful appearance .
nAround the neck is a white soft looking collar that gives it a high-quality appearance .
nThere is a round pauldron attached to the right shoulder . From the right elbow to the shoulder section, is a cylindrical part made from the carapace .
nThis shoulder section is great .
nThere is no ruck sack, but I want to do a shoulder tackle .
nIt seems the chest part uses the octagonal piece of the armored commander ant’s carapace .
nThe bare minimum, it is made to only protect the heart .
nFurthermore, there is a faint magic formation on the surface of the carapace, the image of a white spear is on the octagon .
nHeh, this picture is good .
nHowever, the enchantment section stands out .
nIt is the only part with high mana density .
nA line of mana is joined to the surface creating a honeycomb pattern… I think this is the work of a tremendously skill enchanter .
nI can tell even with the eye of an amateur .
nThe carapace is joined in several places with fur and metal .
nThe tassets around the waist are firmly made, it looks like I will be able to move my legs freely too . Twofold and threefold leather belts are attached to the side .
nThey come together to make a fluctuating small form .
nThis is carefully made, Amazing . As expected of craftsmen .
nIt fits without needing to tighten the side belts .
nThe surface is smooth too .
nBlue leather . Aah, this is the hide from the tiger I had .
nEven if I twist my waist, there is no discomfort .
nIt has a high affinity with the cuirass made from sea dragon from the old days that makes it look good .
nPale black gloves were prepared so I try putting them on .
nThere is a hole in the left wrist .
nThey seem to have made a hole for the chain as I requested .
nThe wrist of the gloves has a leather worked pattern of flashing lightning .
n“How is it?”
n“Thank you . I am completely satisfied .
n“Is that so . Then it was worth making . Right? Bon . ”
n“Enchant~”
nRaising two fingers, it is slightly altered?
nPouting, my forehead creases .
nBon has a triumphant look .
n“However, it really is wonderfully made . The design on the chest is good, what is the magic like thing on the back?”
n“Bon’s enchantment . it seems to be a fused magic of divine light protection and physical protection . I do not understand the specifics, but I think it means your defense should increase . By the way, the spear design is my original . ”
nSo, it is Bon’s enchantment . Bon is a prodigy .
nThe picture is good too . These dwarf brothers are more than common blacksmiths .
n“The design is good . I can tell that Bon’s enchantment is great . ”
n“Maana . ”
n“Enchant!”
n“Bon seems happy as well . ”
n“Yes . Ah, this is the cost in gold coins . Zaga and Bon, Thank you very much . ”
nI hand over the gold coins .
n“Ouyo . -Certainly . ”
n“Enchant . ”
n“Well then . At once, I am going to go exploring with this new armor . ”
n“Gahaha, show it off, I’ll make you something again if you bring good materials . ”
n“Yes . Then-“
n“Nyao . ”
nEnjoying the indescribable smell of new armor, I walk through the street with the big market along with Rollo .
nThe market has various stalls; people are milling about in confusion .
nThere is a shop specializing in fur and leather shoes, a stand selling cakes with roasted chestnuts, a shop selling clothes is next to a shop selling food .
nAt any rate, it is all disordered .
nIn addition, the shops that are here vary day to day, a competitive market place of a random nature .
nThis market, is kind of like the malls in Southeast Asian and Latin America…
nIf there is a shop selling ramen I will immediately go there .
nOh, skewers .
nThere are meat-skewers being sold in one of the stalls .
nIt seems to be the breast meat from a deer type monster .
nWith onion type vegetables and meat, the fragrant smell of meat juices is appetizing .
n-It looks good . I buy some .
nI buy a share for Rollo and myself .
nWhile eating the meat skewers, amongst the crowd of various qualities of customers, I stroll indifferently .
nWhen I walk out of such a market, I see a big long carriage stopped at the edge of the market .
nN? That is an especially large carriage .
nIt feels like the carriage has been remodeled magically with metal and It looks like a coffin .
nThe slave market is in front of it, is it somehow related?
nI move to the side of the peculiar carriage .
nNext to it is a coat of arms with the design of a horse with one horn .
nThe unicorn is drawn in red, yellow and white .
nIs it a family crest? Or maybe the logo of a company .
nIt stands out, the owner might be a special person…
nWhen the back door of the carriage opens, a wooden ramp is lowered to the ground .
nThere comes a young man wearing clothes appropriate for a noble, and a long-haired elf with silvery hair wearing a black slave collar steps firmly down from the ramp .
nSilver hair and pale skin?
nN? She is wearing a silver mask over the left side of her face?
nThe noble-like man that I had identified as a slave trader has silver hair reaching his hem . Their hair is more appropriate for an elf than a human .
nFurthermore, this is my first time seeing such pale skin on an elf .
nI can tell she is a slave because of the black collar but unlike the other slaves her hands and feet are not restricted .
nContinuing from behind are people of various races with black collars around their necks and shackles around their hands and feet linking them together .
nThe group lead by such a slave dealer heads to the corner with the slave market .
nI am curious so I follow them .
nThat slave trader and pale elf, they seem to be putting the slaves up for auction .
nThey are being evaluated with sharp eyes .
nOccasionally, he speaks to the silver haired elf for advice .
nThe other merchants seem to acknowledge the superiority of this slave dealer…
nEveryone, while whispering, is turning cold eyes to the newly arrived slave dealer .
nSome slave dealers back away to avoid him .
nThey split before the noble looking slave trader like the Red Sea before Moses, the streets become crowded .
nWho is this slave dealer…
nMen dressed in the same way see the slave trader with the appearance of a noble with his entourage of slaves and approach him .
nWhat are they going to talk about?
nI am extremely curious .
nAt that moment, I make eye contact with the beautiful pale elf .
nHalf of her face is covered with the silver guard, but I tell from her exposed pale skin that she has a beautiful face .
nMana is circulating in one eye that is a brilliant silver .
nThat pale elf…she seems to able to use magic observing eye .
nI keep mana in my eyes as well and approach while straining my ears to hear .
n“Keragan Kyaneras-sama from 【Oath of the One Horn】”
n“Dodgness . 【Hector’s】 outdoor market is the same as always . The market surely is big but the shops are much too disorganized . ”
nThe slave dealer called Keragan Kyaneras talks while looking around the market with blue eyes .
n“Yes, however, the market hear is treated considerably well in the taxation system, so it is convenient for slave traders . ”
n“This crowd . I will be like that . ”
nThe slave trader called Dodgness is rubbing his hands together in a submissive attitude, and turns sharp eyes to the silver haired elf behind Kyaneras .
n“…Are you selling today? Buying?”
nDodgness speaks to Kyaneras in a wheedling voice .
n“Selling today . N, are you worried about the eyes?”
n“Eeh, yes . Possibly, is the person behind you an illusion?”
nWhen Kyaneras hears him, he nods in satisfaction .
n“That’s right . As expected, you noticed . This isn’t an ordinary elf, it’s a dark elf . Don’t you want me to sell you this slave? Now, the slaves behind me need to be sold as well . ”
n“…I see, well then, would you like to bring the dark elf to the underground auction?”
nHeh, that elf is a dark elf?
nHer skin is pale instead of tanned .
nAh, our eyes met again .
nThis is good, right? Her body is wonderful .
nHowever, I am interested in the conversation between the slave dealers so I disregard the eyes .
nKyaneras faces Dodgness with a triumphant look .
nThe corners of his mouth rise and he grins and arrogant smile .
n“…Naturally . It cannot be seen it the market, you could say it is a value equal to a high elf . The price will jump considerably in the underground auction . ”
nKyaneras looks away from Dodgness and smiles at the dark elf .
nWhen the dark elf notices his eyes she averts her gaze from me, and looks again at Kyaneras .
nShe lowers her heads and stays silent .
n“Fumu . Dodgness . -How much would you buy such a thing for?”
nDodgness is upset by Kyaneras’ question but removes a parchment from his chest .
n“Y, yes, wait a moment . ”
n“Understood . It’s a mixture of good and bad, but the price is expected . ”
nThe slave dealer Dodgness is evaluating, so he extends the thin metal stick in his hand and begins to look over the slaves that are chained together .
nHe makes them stick out their tongues and open their nether regions, he keeps picking at their bodies with the thin stick .
nWhen he finishes examining them, he smoothly writes on the paper with a pen and returns the Keragan Kyaneras .
n“I’ll buy all of them . How about this?”
nKyaneras receives the parchment and looks at what is written, and his eyebrows twitch in response .
n“…Hou . Didn’t you estimate them very high? …Dodgness . What is your request?”
n“Eeh, isn’t it good? I also want to attend the underground auction . ”
nKyaneras nods a few times .
n“Fumu, fumu…Dodgness’ qualifications are first class?”
n“Yes . Since last year . ”
n“Since that’s the case, here…”
nKyaneras takes a pen and begins adding to the paper Dodgness wrote on .
n“Na… I understand . ”
nDodgness is staring at the paper Kyaneras is writing on as greasy sweat begins to drip from him . Shaking himself with the feeling of it being inevitable he begins to write .
n“…Can you take this out? It seems you want to attend very much . Yosh, the transaction is completed . Take this, with it you may enter my house . In the cold months of winter, come to my mansion in 【Pernette】 . The important auction is being held ninety days from the end of the year . You should come sooner than that . ”
nSomething is handed over .
n“Yes . I will be there . Thank you very much . ”
n“Well then, carry the gold coins to the carriage . You- (Slap)”
nKyaneras turns around and claps .
nHe gives simple instructions to the slaves he owns .
nThe slaves are directed by Kyaneras and walk to Dodgness who purchased them for a large sum .
nIt seems Kyaneras sold the slaves in his possession .
nThe slaves Dodgness bought become two lines .
nAfter instructing the slaves, Kyaneras returns to the luxurious carriage with the dark elf .
nWhen she returns, I think the dark elf may have looked at me for a second, but it must be my imagination .
nThis is my first time hearing a conversation between slave traders, it had a lot of information .
nThere is such a world .
nAt any rate, I am curious about the underground auction that came up several times .
nBefore she died, Kuna said she bought the item box from the underground auction, it was also written in her notes .
nIt seems to be held in Pernette…I have a slave trader’s certificate too, am I able to participate?
nWhile contemplating, I look at the sold slaves .
nA strong looking man and woman are bought immediately .
n“Onii-chan over there, are you buying?”
nWhile I am looking at a slave, a trader calls out to me
n“N? I’m not interested right now . Sorry . ”
n“Is that so, there’s a broken-down adventurer soldier, but there’s also a beastman warrior who can take out a magic doll on his own . ”
nThere is a tiger faced macho man wearing a collar .
nAfter staring at the state of the slaves for a little, I pass on .
nIf they are going to be usable they must be “beautiful” and a “woman”… ED: Thinking with his dick…
nNow then, let’s go .
nI want to try using the spear while I wear the new armor . I guess I will train .
n“Rollo, let’s go to the vacant area . ”
n“Nnn . ”
nOnly purring, is it because Rollo ate the meat skewer, she crawls into the hood hanging down my back .
nRollo seems to be sleepy . Ma, I can still go to the vacant land while she is sleeping .
nI head to the vacant area I found the other day .
nI arrive . I make sure the surroundings are clear with presence detection .
n-No one is there .
nIt is the place where the cat convention happened the other day .
nThe wide space with nothing other than the big stump .
n“Rollo, I’m going to train so you need to get up . ”
n“N, Nyao . ”
nRollo moves from the hood to my shoulder .
nShe jumps to the ground, and after stretching out her forelegs with her chin up she runs to the stump .
nWhile Rollo stares at me from the stump with her feet together like a doll, I begin training .
nRunning, swinging the spear, jumping, thrusting up .
nI move my body vigorously to check the status of my new armor .
nI can move the spear as smoothly as normal .
nThere is no sense of discomfort with the new armor . Then, I stop moving for a moment .
nTomorrow is finally the day of the Evil Dragon King extermination .
nStarting from the basics- I begin to release consecutive normal thrusts .
nIn the middle, I add in
n-From
nThe delay before
nNext is spear sparring-
nTwisting, turning on my toes, I make full use of my foot work .
nAssuming all of these, I perform connected attack training .
nThe
nEvery time I practice the “Toe turn” evasive maneuver, it becomes sharper and my ability to dodge improves .
nI also do training that makes use of the magic sword in my movements .
nI move my arm in a slant with the sword, being aware on the meandering type .
nI have outstanding stamina so I do not need to worry about getting tired .
nI train the spear and sword in earnest without a particular goal and end up spending most of the day training .
n◇◇◇◇
nThe next day, I head the square of the War God Vaisu where we are supposed to meet for the evil dragon king subjugation request .
nThe location is like a big park .
nRollo jumps from my shoulder and runs ahead .
nAgain, did you find something?
nI quickly chase after Rollo .
nI discover a place that seems like an entrance .
nThere is a statue of an old man dressed in a gown, indeed a statue that looks like a god wearing armor and with a sword in his hand is on either side of the entrance .
nRollo climbs onto on the statues and is aiming to climb onto the bald head .
n“Ara, a cat . ” “It really is . ” “It’s awfully fast . ” “Hou . ” “To climb onto wise man Rabius…” “However, it’s pretty cute . ”
n…She is attracting attention .
nAdventurers are noticing Rollo .
nThe number of adventurers suddenly increases from here .
nEveryone seems to be here for the same reason .
nI call Rollo while feeling slightly embarrassed .
n“O-i, come back . ”
n“Nya . ”
nRollo immediately returns to her spot on my shoulder .
n“Rollo, behave yourself a little . We’re heading to the place where everyone is gathering now . ”
n“Nyao . ”
nI have such an exchange with Rollo .
n“That cat is cute . ”
n“I want a cat like that . ”
n“Awfully obedient . A familiar?”
n“I wonder? Let’s go . ”
nWith such a feeling, the black cat and I attract attention for a while .
nScratching my head while being embarrassed by people looking, I follow the adventurers .
nIn the center of the open space is a circular open air theater .
nHeh, it has the feeling of a dramatic opera .
nPeople that look like adventurers are gathering there, one after another .
n-So, when I walk to the meeting place, I am called out .
n“Shuya-“
nThe source of the voice, was Quiche with a translucent smile .
nQuiche Bakunda .
nThe white and emerald green knight armor, I look at it, green greaves type .
nHer seductive rocket breasts are concealed . (TL: I don’t…why author-sensei?)ED: Kill me please .
nHer perfectly aligned white teeth . After all, I am healed . (TL: I think he means from the fear Kuna caused him . I know you’ve all been worried, but Shuya’s penis is ready to fight to!)
n“…As I though, Quiche is also participating in the subjugation . ”
n“Nya . ”
n“Aah, of course . Shuya has also brought Rollo, you have come here to participate?”
n“That’s the plan . ”
n“Good . Shuya and Rollo are strong . This is reassuring . ”
nRollo seems happy, she lifts one leg and claps my shoulder .
n“Nyaa . ”
n“Maa, I intend to fight . ”
n“Aah, that’s right . I also will get reparation for the lives taken, my home, my family, those I buried . ”
nQuiche’s eye become clear, colored with hatred .
n“…Shuya will be participating solo?”
n“That’s right . ”
n“Then, I am participating solo as well . Let’s go to the meeting place together . The guild master of the adventurers and marquess-sama seem to have already arrived . In addition, there are members of this city’s knight order on the dais as well . ”
n“Understood, let’s go . ”
nI accompany Quiche to the circular venue .
nSeveral hundred have already sat down and the place is nearly full .
nIt seems we are standing at the back of the procession .
nIt is noisy with the sounds of rustling and talking adventurers .
nLooking at such a seated audience, every person looks strong and powerful . There are also many beastmen .
nOh, it’s Sarah . Crimson Tiger is participating too .
nOver there is a famous mixed adventurer clan of humans and beastmen . I think…they are the B rank 【Shaffer’s Battle-axe】 . Most of the members are combat slaves . On the other side is the similarly B ranked 【Crimson Tiger’s Tempest】 . The ones to them with the black and red robes are the B ranked 【Aria’s Wanderer】 . Oh, there are even more big shots . The magic user duo is the S ranked 【Ice Mausoleum of Blue Waters】 . ”
nQuiche explains .
n“Heh, you know a lot . ”
n“I also have been an adventurer for several years, the adventurer clans I just brought up are not only here in 【Hector】, they are adventurer clans know in areas to the east . ”
n“Is that so . I didn’t know . I’ll remember what you told me . ”
nAs for Quiche, does not know such a thing? (TL: Not sure, so I left this translation literal . ) Such a look is on my face .
nWithout minding it, now I look at all the famous adventurer clans that Quiche mentioned .
nThe leader of 【Shaffer’s Battle-axe】 is a giant hairy beastman .
nThere is a characteristic mark on the beastman’s chest .
nHe is covered head to foot in fur, only on his chest is there a black ring of burnt skin, the hair is gone .
nAll the members are slaves sold the other day, they have “collars,” is the scar burned into their chest proof of slavery…there is a female magic user to the side as well .
nOnly this women’s chest is unharmed .
nThis woman might be the master .
nI cannot make out her face from this distance .
nThe faces of 【Crimson Tiger’s Tempest】 are as beautiful as ever .
nConversely, Butch-shi is the only one with a grim look and it creates a good balance .
n【Ice Mausoleum of Blue Waters】 is sitting in the front seats .
nAs Quiche said, there are only two of them .
nGoing by their appearance, I think they are twins .
nThey look human, but they are awfully short and their fair skin stands out .
nA magic user duo .
nThen, I move my eyes to the platform .
nSoldiers wearing black masks are standing guard on both sides of the platform .
nThe black mask wearing guards are built like pro wrestlers . They are carrying executioner’s axes in both hands, watching the audience attentively .
nThey have a guard like feeling .
nAt the center of the stage is a noblewoman with her retainers, she must be the sponsor .
nOn her left is an old man dressed in a dark blue cloak and a female magic user .
nN, -That is Eris .
nEris is at the left side . She is standing next the old man in the dark blue cloak .
nThe old man is not speaking to Eris and is instead talking to the noble woman on his right .
nStanding as guards to protect the noble woman on both sides and behind her is an old soldier with grey hair and the lady’s beast maid who looks young .
nKnight-like people in blue armor are sitting next to the nobles as well .
nHowever, that noble woman is having a long conversation with that old man…
nBlond hair and blue eyes . Beautiful porcelain skin .
nHer face looks like a doll’s and her nose ridge is long…
nPossibly…no, that would be impossible . The noble woman is wearing a blank mantel edge with silver over a crimson velvet dress that hides the lines of her body .
nThe black mantel is reflecting the light because it is covered in jewels .
nNoble woman, old soldier, beastwoman…
nI have seen that face somewhere before .
n-Aah, I remember .
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