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nChapter 74.1

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nSeventy-Fourth Episode~ Demon Steel City Holkerbam

nI immediately search the city for a suitable place .

nThere is a crossroad right inside the eastern gate .

nThe crowd of people and cattle mills through the roads under the beautiful weather .

nI stop Popobumu at the edge of a street and speak to Misty .

n“Misty, I’m going to release you somewhere we won’t attract attention . ”

n“Okay . ”

nNow then, where should I release her?

nThe road on the left heads south and narrows .

nIt splits into small alleys and old houses .

nI look to the right road that heads north .

nThe road is uphill, and there are newer high-class residences painted white and yellow .

nBeing built on a slope makes the houses look like staircases .

nThe middle road heads west . The broad road makes me think it is the main street .

n“Looking to the hill on the right . I’ll release you there . ”

n“Un . ”

nI go up the hill and enter a side alley .

nI lower misty to the ground and remove the magic shackles on her arms .

nI remove more than ten gold and silver coins from the item box and give them to Misty after putting them in a suitable leather bag .

n“This…”

n“Won’t it be hard without money?”

nDoes acting this way make me look like an easy mark to Misty? (TL: Could also be saying Misty looks like a soft person?)

n“…Why…this much . ”

nLooks look back and forth between me and the bag of gold coins .

nHer eyes are misting over (TL: Heh, see what I did?), one tear, two tears, they stream down her cheeks .

n“I’m just a guy who half-heartedly interfered . I’m weak to women . Also, you can use the gold to hire a carriage, so getting a fresh start should be easy . ”

n“…Thanks, fufu, what a meddlesome guy . Purposely saying something so harshly . Trying to hide your kindness is useless . However, it’s good I met you . Our time together was short, but my view of life changed . I, until now, have only ever lived for my own pleasure… knowing a good person like you exists, I want to believe what you said, that this world isn’t only filled with evil . Shuya… can we meet again?” (TL: How many girls is this? I think this is a new record . )

nMisty says while wiping away her tears .

nHer casual words touch me . Helping you was just the right thing to do…

nHowever, I don’t let her see such feelings .

n“…We may meet . If Misty lives seriously, we will surely meet again . ”

n“Really?”

n“Ah, well then,”

n“Nyao . ”

n“Ah, ma-”

nWe part on friendly terms .

nI can tell that Misty doesn’t want to part, but I prompt popobumu and head down the slope .

nI return to the crossroads and join the crowd .

nI have releases the former noble turned thief .

nHonestly, I pity her a bit because she was Zoru’s younger sister .

nSeeing the seal on her forehead makes me recall that time .

nZoru and Theta smiling as they died, then leaving Yui…

nMa, I am irresponsible .

nIt could be said that I drove off a troublesome person with money and a vague promise to meet again .

nI move down the main street with such a guilty conscience .

nI advance down the main street heading west .

nA luxurious hotel is situated at the corner of a group of large buildings .

nThere are old-fashioned trading companies and new armor shops lined up .

nThis area has ambiance .

nThere are multiple chimneys near the blacksmiths .

nDense black smoke is rising from them .

nI’m curious, so I guide Popobumu to toward those shops .

nIt’s like a shopping street . (TL: Think Tamako Market)

nThere is a lump of black ore in place of a signboard .

nThe name of the shop 【Hadi’s Shop of Flame and Edge of Steel】 is carved on the sign .

nThe next sign is carved a giant sword and says【Gateau & Feizman】 .

nThe shop next to is a round steel bar with【Elizado’s Miscellaneous Goods Shop】carved .

nThen is a mallet, shield, and multiple shops with crystal-like signboards .

nEach of the signboards has a common point .

nThe signboards are all under the eaves, and a small wooden dragonfly hangs from the signs .

nEven now, the carved dragonflies shake in the wind .

nIt’s not a replacement for wind-chimes, perhaps is a sign indicating they can handle demon steel alloy .

nThe emblem is probably something like a mascot .

nLooking in from outside it gives the impression of a shopping street .

nSmall alleys are stretching from the shopping street .

nThe smaller roads lead to the depths of the city .

nI like the fact that I can casually find the back-streets .

nReopening the back-alley street?

nI’ll make a detour and take a little look .

nPerhaps, the great tree might be this way .

nThe houses a built differently than the ones in Hector, there are plenty made from stone . With the feeling of exploring, I push Popobumu forward .

nIt looks like there is an established sewer, I can’t be sure, but there is a metal manhole cover .

nStepping cautiously on the cover with Popobumu, we advance through the narrow and slightly dirty street .

nFor a little, we pass through the small streets- I then hear jeering sounds .

nCurious, I approach the sounds .

n“Surround ’em, surround ’em, corner them . ”

n“Ben, you sure?”

n“Ah, 【Gaia’s Scale】 (TL: Balance scale) Iron Hammer Victor . Also, that woman is the leader “Fireball Mia . ” (TL: New heroine, get)

nThere’s a fight in a cul-de-sac .

nA bunch of bearded bandit looking men wearing strained dark robes are gathered .

n“Oh, that woman next to the hammer guy is the leader?”

n“Yeah . The subordinate has become the prey of the iron hammers . It’s a mistake, right?”

nThe group of dirty men is talking .

n“However, it’s not ‘Dumas’s Four Arms . ’ Be careful . ”

nA thin and weak looking man is instructing a fat man .

n“Zoha-ani is cautious . In this situation, it can’t be helped even if we’re careful . When it comes to Dumas, he’s a helpful guy . Look, these are the only guys left . If we take their leader’s head, the well-established 【Gaia’s Scale】 will end here . ”

nThe fat man laughs as he walks forward .

nA guy to the side has an enraged expression .

n“That’s right . Isn’t luck on our side?”

n“Oh! Uhyahya, chance, chance . Before taking her head, that woman…hehe . ”

nThe fat man is looking at the woman with his weapon in hand while breathing roughly .

n“Ah? You after something too?”

n“Salad, are you stupid? (TL: Heh, what a stupid name . ) Do you think I’ll let such good woman go?”

n“Then, Ben, it’s a contest . She’ll go to whoever kills her soldier . ”

n“Good, I’ll have my fill! Do it, you hear? Gooo, crush, crush, crush!”

nThey’re working themselves up to fight the soldier, they look like bandits, but they seem to have a leader .

n“The first kill, dieeeee!”

n“Hyahha, kill!”

nThey noticed me since I approached .

nI tap Popobumu’s stomach and advance .

nI approach the side of the group .

n“Oi, doing whatever ya want, you, what, want to compete? It has been decided that I’ll take that lass . ”

nThe skinny man says with hallow eyes .

n“Ha? Zoha Aniki, what did you say? I’m going first!”

n“Ben and Salad, I, the oldest brother, am going first . Ano, I’ll be the first one to take that smooth ass, hehe . ”

nThe men are talking with vulgar looks .

n“Again, aniki always goes first, let us have a taste once in a while . ”

n“Iya, iya, even that woman, if I were her I’d rather be violated by a thin man than a fat one . ”

n“-Oi, Ben, Salad, you perverted brothers, it’s useless, capture Mia alive, it’s an order from Oze and Jane . ”

nThat? Those noisy brothers seem to have been vice-leaders .

nThe one who spoke last must have been the actual leader .

nWith a long sword in hand, he scolds the fishy men with a commanding tone .

nHowever, suddenly .

nEntering the alley, I encounter the inter-guild war .

nAlthough a say that, it’s 40 people versus 15, it looks more like a war of extermination . The small number is back into the corner .

nIt’s one-sided .

n-Oh?

nThe suspicious men were saying there was a beautiful woman among those who were cornered .

nIt’s a beauty with long black hair .

nBlack eyes and tiny arched eyebrows . She’s a Japanese looking woman?

nCornered, her eyes contain a harsh light, but they seem to say she will absolutely survive . So, I can feel her intentions .

nHer dress reveals her white thighs .

nThe leather armor she is wearing has visible tears and damage .

nHer thighs look soft, they’re splendid .

nHer dress is torn .

nIn such a state, I can understand why the perverts are so worked up .

nShe has a cane in her hand, so she seems to be a magic user .

nNext to her is a middle-aged man who is desperately protecting her .

nHe swings the large iron hammer with a severe expression .

nOh, he blew away an enemy with it .

nYou know, that guy .

nHe’s cool . He reminds me of the two Deva kings standing guard .

nThe wrinkles on his face stand out, and with his hammer and old man beard, he looks like a guardian Devas .

n“Guaa-”

n“Tch, Iron Hammer Victor, huh? As expected, he’s strong . ”

nIn this case… Should I side with the old devas and the beautiful woman? (TL: I’m translating 仁王 as Devas guardian, a Devas is from Buddhism, but it doesn’t sit right with me . If anyone has a better translation leave a comment or mention me on the discord . )

nTo say, I think I’ll generally save someone if they’re a beautiful woman .

nWhere to put Popobumu…oh, there, there . I’ll leave him in the alley over there .

nI quickly hurry there .

n“Popobumu, stay still here in the shadows, alright?”

n“Bubo~”

nPopobumu calls out lively .

nWhile patting Popobumu, I tie to some metal parts of the building .

n“Rollo, let’s go, prepare for battle . ”

n“Nya . ”

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