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 – Thrusting, without leaving a space, an ordinary lunge .

nThe delay before makes consecutive stabs possible .

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 I got from the 【Training Course】 is great .

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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