Akatsuki Translations

【Golden Phoenix – Lust Branch】

Diz Gran Fenex, one of the 【Seven Heavens】, not only serves as the Hero but also manages the financial guild, the 【Golden Phoenix】. Her workplace today was here.

As the 【Hero】, one of Diz’s “activities” involves monitoring the flow of money to understand the world’s trends while simultaneously collecting rare weapons and armor, sometimes through acquisition. This is an essential antenna for protecting the world, so she can’t slack off on this job. After finishing up a pile of documents, discussing future policies with the branch head, and making courtesy visits to affiliated guilds, the sun had set by the time she took a break.

“Phew, that was tiring.” -Diz

《Tiiireeddd Diz》-Akane

“I wonder if your brother’s also finishing up about now?” -Diz

While thinking about Ur’s inquisition, she idly plays with Akane. Encountering dragons, Shizuku’s unusual abilities, and receiving a summons to the temple are all inevitable.

The sealing of the Dungeons of Sin, that is, the sealing of the Sin Dragons, is the role of the Temple and the Sin Cities.

All citizens living in the cities of sin bear this role to some extent. Their faith and prayers maintain the barrier of the Sun God and simultaneously keep the dragon within the depths of the dungeon. Naturally, they become hypersensitive to the movements of the dragon.

Therefore, this summoning is inevitable. However, since the extent of Shizuku’s abilities’ effectiveness on the dragons is still uncertain, it won’t amount to much. Or rather, it can’t. After all, she herself doesn’t fully understand it.

All that can be done is to monitor her growth and conduct going forward. Diz concluded as much, and the temple also expected that this would be the case if things go as planned.

“Diz-sama, Ur-sama and the others have arrived.” -Jenna

“Ah, let them in.” -Diz

Jenna, who is not a member of the Golden Phoenix Guild, but a servant of Diz, announces the visitors. Ur and the others were asked to come here after everything was finished, just in case. Of course, Diz herself will scrutinize the content of the inquisition later, but she wants to hear from them personally.

“Finally, it’s over… Akane—” -Ur

《Nii-tan, good job~~—》-Akane

Ur’s expression, as he pets Akane who jumped at him, was plainly exhausted. Well, naturally. The questioning by the priests of truth, the interrogations designed to uncover any deceit, is mentally draining. Even if there was no intention to lie.

Shizuku, standing behind, keeps a constant smile on her face, but even so, she seems tired, moving slower than usual. Diz signals Jenna to brew some comforting tea and welcomes the two.

“Hey, Ur, you must be tired. How did it go?” -Diz

“We ended up deciding to work with the Sun Knights.” -Ur

“Is that so…………… Why?” -Diz

Diz took a moment to understand what Ur had said.

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The tea brewed by the maid Jenna gently enveloped Ur’s weary spirit. It had a mysterious floral scent. Apparently, it was brewed from flowers that bloom only by a lake at the foot of the Apas mountain range, outside the city, and it was said to be very effective for restoring fatigue and magical energy.

It seemed to be quite expensive, but since it was specially brewed, he enjoyed it without reservation. To be honest, there were some grievances.

“You said nothing would happen, my friend.” -Diz

“I really didn’t expect the Sun Knights to get involved, honestly.” -Ur

Ur then explained everything from the beginning as promised to Diz. After much complication regarding the handling of Shizuku, they ended up assisting the Sun Knights for some reason.

Having heard the whole story, Diz had an indescribable look on her face. She seemed to want to say something, moving her mouth several times, but swallowed her words before they formed. After listening to everything,

“Yeah… sorry for dragging you into the trouble surrounding Gradol and Praudia.” -Diz

Diz apologized. Ur apologized too.

“Sorry for taking on another job while I was supposed to be escorting you.” -Ur

“I’m sorry, Diz-sama.” -Shizuku

“That’s alright. Honestly, a big part of this problem was mine… but well.” -Diz

She paused, then took a sip of her tea. It seemed this situation was largely unexpected for her, not so much exceeding her expectations as falling below them.

“The matter of the satellite city… has it gotten quite complicated…Even so, it’s a bit forceful, but what’s the name of that Sun Knight?” -Diz

“Ah, right… it was…” -Ur

“Echelle-sama. Echelle Loine Raleigh.” -Shizuku

As Shizuku mentioned the name, Diz rubbed her forehead as if something clicked.

“An acquaintance?” -Ur

“A Shinra of Gradol, from a branch family of the Calareigh family… sort of.” -Diz

“Someone important? Well, I guess they are if they hold an official position.” -Ur

“I am too, you know? You could show a little respect.” -Diz

Being from one of the top lineages of the City of Sin, Gradol, certainly, they are an incredible existence. Ur’s utterly disrespectful demeanor during the inquisition seemed increasingly justifiable for outrage.

“The situation around there seems to be quite complicated… apparently. I haven’t been able to gather all the information yet. And she, that lady, is trying to deal with the problem of Gradol.” -Diz

“I don’t know what the situation is, but isn’t it too hasty to secure her when we hardly understand Shizuku’s abilities?” -Ur

“Her situation is complicated too. Of course, I understand that you guys feel dragged around without knowing all the details.” -Diz

“Not at all. I want to be as much help to her as possible.” -Shizuku

Shizuku stated this with a bright smile. It was a beautiful smile with no hint of malice. But Ur felt nothing but a bad premonition.

“You’re quite proactive considering they were about to do whatever they wanted with you.” -Ur

When Ur asked, Shizuku nodded seriously.

“As our ultimate goal is the dragon, I thought it was an opportunity to gain connections related to dragons.” -Shizuku

“I see.” -Ur

“And also,” -Shizuku

“And?” -Ur

“Echelle-sama seemed easy to manipulate.” -Shizuku

“Try to hide your sleaziness a bit more.” -Ur

《Does she seem dumb? 》-Akane

Akane bluntly pointed out and was gently flicked on the forehead. Shizuku continued,

“I perceived her to be somewhat immature mentally. I thought if I could control her well, it would make future interactions smoother. Was that wrong?” -Shizuku

“It’s not wrong, but it’s not good either.” -Ur

“Moreover, she seemed to be suffering greatly from her position and mission, so I wanted to somehow help her.” -Shizuku

“The degree of difference between your sleaziness and innocence is enough to give me a cold.” -Ur

This is the kind of woman she is.

Feeling both relieved and anxious about getting back to normal conversation.

“…Well, I understand your intention. But let me ask again, is Diz okay with it? You’ve taken on the Sun Knight’s job while neglecting your escort duties.” -Ur

“It’s fine. Because, probably, her request and my request might overlap.” -Diz

“The destination?” -Ur

“The only concern is whether things between her and me will get awkward…” -Diz

“Well, it should be fine for a while,” Diz confidently stated.

“Why?” -Ur

“Because after this job, I’m going to sleep for a while.” -Diz

“For how long?” -Ur

“2-3 weeks?” -Diz

“What are you, a hibernating animal???” -Ur

Apparently, her body, ravaged by Lust, hasn’t fully recovered yet. She might look operational superficially after dealing with the aftermath, but once things settle down, she must take a proper rest. Hearing that, Ur had nothing to complain about.

“Well, it’s the price for overdoing things this time. It would have been easier with an 【Elixir】, but, for now, I won’t have to face her.” -Diz

“Well, if a conversation can’t be established, then it won’t become an issue…” -Ur

“So, with that said, I have no complaints about your approach. Just remember that for less significant threats, I’ll leave it to you guys.” -Diz

“Well, if that’s the case, we’ll make sure to fulfill our escort duties.” -Ur

And with that, the meeting reflecting on the inquisition concluded.

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After Ur and Shizuku returned home, Akane was left to rest under the 【Astral Cloak】, and Diz was still in her office, not yet resting her body. In the light of a lamp, she quietly pondered, holding in her hand the records of the interrogation of Shizuku that took place at the temple.

After Ur’s inquisition, she was, of course, re-questioned. The results were recorded, and Diz was staring at them intently.

“Diz-sama, it might be best for you to rest soon,” -Jenna

Jenna, standing behind her, suggested, presenting a fresh cup of tea. Diz nodded in agreement but did not take her eyes off the record.

“Yeah… that’s true.” -Diz

“Are you concerned about Shizuku-sama?” -Jenna

“Yeah,” Diz honestly answered.

From the document, it was evident that Shizuku had responded sincerely to the priests of truth and falsity’s interrogation, where no deception is possible. Despite her unique circumstances, there were no signs that she was hiding anything.

So there might not be any problem—or so it would seem.

“The power of the Spirit of Truth and Lies is to see through deception, not to expose everything.” -Diz

It’s potent but not absolute. It doesn’t mean everything is laid bare.

“However, the inquisitors entrusted with the Spirit of Truth and Lies power are skilled individuals. If one tries to evade or be ambiguous, they have at least the insight to see through it.”  -Jenna

“That’s right. In that sense, her response was perfect… but,” -Diz

Diz imagined Shizuku’s smile in her mind. The genius speed of learning and growing in handling magic, her beauty, and separate from these evident talents, something unfathomable, “something” deep within her.

“The spirit’s power isn’t perfect after all. There are ways to bypass it.” -Diz

One could alter or erase their own memory to believe they are telling the truth. Or perhaps…

“Shall we probe a little more?” -Jenna

“Gradol is approaching now. If we pay too much attention to Shizuku, it might lead to strange misunderstandings. Don’t push too hard—” -Diz

　――――Is this also part of her plan?

Diz thought this far and then shook her head.

“Could you investigate her background? I’d like you to confirm this ‘Evil Spirit Temple’ she serves.” -Diz

“Understood. I’ll make arrangements.” -Jenna

With that, Jenna, who had been standing behind her, suddenly blended into the night’s darkness and disappeared as if erased. Left alone, Diz sipped the still-warm tea in front of her.

“It’s tiring to suspect acquaintances, even if it’s a usual affair.” -Diz

No one was in the room to hear her melancholic mutterings—

“Diz-sama. You don’t need to look so sad and adorable. Jenna will always be by your side.” -Jenna

“Why are you still here, Jenna?” -Diz

“I came back for something I forgot.” -Jenna

“There’s none of your belongings here, is there?” -Diz

And with that, night turned to dawn.