Akatsuki Translations

Guided by a priest named Kalkara, Ur and Shizuku were led to a room in the temporary temple.

By the way, Rock, Lynne, Diz, Akane, and Jenna were asked to wait outside (Diz was still in hibernation, Jenna and Akane were accompanying, and Lynne was also tired, so Rock stayed as a guard).

Most of the furniture in the room they were led to was made of stone, and Ur was a little surprised. Perhaps it was the work of the woman who called herself the 【Priest of Stone】, he imagined as he sat down on a stone chair. It was a bit cool to the touch.

“It has been two months since the ‘Barrier of Uuga’ occurred, but as of now, we still have not determined how to dispel the barrier.” -Kalkara

Then, in front of Ur, Shizuku, and Echelle seated on chairs, Kalkara started to explain the situation.

“Isn’t it something like a dungeon?” -Ur

“Indeed, the interior of Uuga has dungeon-like properties. We have confirmed the generation and attacks of monsters inside.” -Kalkara

“Monsters appeared… well, then, obviously, continuing to build the city is impossible. Of course, Echelle-sama would need to do something about it. What else is known?” -Ur

“We do not know where or if an entity corresponding to the 【True Magic Core】 exists. What is clear is that the interior of Uuga has transformed abnormally, monsters have appeared, and it has become difficult for people to enter.” -Kalkara

Ur felt a headache upon receiving the information from Kalkara. In other words, nothing was known.

“…Well, if that’s the case, we have no choice but to investigate inside Uuga, but is there no information?” -Ur

“The Adventurer’s Guild, the Silver-ranked 【White Serpent】. They are still exploring the dungeon.” -Kalkara

“【White Serpent】?” -Ur

“They “were” originally adventurers hired for the city’s construction guard.” -Kalkara

The word “were” carried an unsettling tone.

Looking closer, Echelle appeared visibly displeased.

“You’re telling me there are better adventurers than us, but…” -Ur

“Yes, we have already terminated their contract. We extended the quest for guarding to include investigation and resolution of Uuga, but they refused as it was different from the original guarding quest.” -Kalkara

“Well, indeed, conquering a dungeon and guarding are totally different things… But they’re still here, right?” -Ur

If they’re still exploring Uuga, it means they haven’t withdrawn yet.

“After the contract termination, they started hunting monsters in Uuga. They said they would earn what they lost due to the contract termination.” -Kalkara

“Turning down our quest so lightly. Those ‘White Pigs’…!!” -Echelle

At Kalkara’s explanation, Echelle seemed to remember the trouble that occurred then and slammed the stone table hard.

Indeed, to dismiss an employer and then remain in place is quite a bold act. However, from Ur’s perspective, the actions of the Silver-ranked adventurers of the guild were also understandable. For a half-finished quest, especially at the Silver rank, the cost of undertaking a single quest would be substantial.

The quest ended halfway. It’s unclear how much they were paid, but if they were out of pocket, it would be normal to try to recoup their losses.

It might be somewhat awkward, but it’s not something that can be exchanged for money.

However, he didn’t voice that thought. He could clearly see that saying so would only further sour Echelle’s mood.

“So, probably the ones who know the most about the situation inside Uuga are them. However, they are focused solely on hunting monsters, not on conquering the dungeon, so it seems they don’t know about the deeper parts of Uuga.” -Kalkara

“…If you want to negotiate with those people, be my guest. They’ve set up base in a corner of our temporary headquarters.” -Echelle

“Understood.” -Ur

With a dismissive tone, Echelle said that, and Ur nodded. He had been worried about being told not to get involved, but he was relieved.

“Excuse me, may I ask something?” -Shizuku

Then Shizuku spoke up.

“What is it?” -Echelle

“Why was it determined that this incident is the work of a dragon, a dragon calamity?” -Shizuku

“Because a dragon appeared.” -Echelle

Well, that makes sense, Ur thought, feeling a mix of astonishment and frustration.

“…If a dragon appeared, shouldn’t this be a matter for the Seven Heavens… no, a matter for a Gold-ranked?” -Ur

He had vaguely heard that there was some kind of dispute between Proudia and Gradol, and that there were issues with questing assistance from the Seven Heavens. But if that’s the case, the ones to call would be Gold-ranked adventurers or others of equivalent ability. Even if Shizuku is an exceptionally unique adventurer, this task should not be left to an adventurer who is still copper-ranked.

Perhaps sensing Ur’s lament-like doubt, Kalkara nodded.

“There’s a reason for this. First of all, the location where the dragon appeared last month is not here. It appeared near the central city of this satellite city, near the 【City of Sin, Gradol】.” -Kalkara

“…And then? What happened?” -Ur

“It circled around the outskirts of the City of Sin and then fled after the Sun Knights mobilized to intercept it. There was no significant damage, and the dragon disappeared. As a result, the Gold-ranked, 【True Human Creator, Klaulan】 is guarding Gradol.” -Kalkara

“But then, how did this place end up like this?” -Ur

“Immediately after the incident occurred, multiple ‘dungeon transformation phenomena’ occurred in various parts of the Gradol territory. Enveloped in a giant black barrier, their interiors became dungeons. Uuga is one of them.” -Kalkara

“So you’re saying there’s a high probability that the dragon caused it…” -Ur

Slowly, he began to understand.

In short, this city of Uuga wasn’t directly targeted; it was caught up in the “aftermath” when a dragon appeared near 【City of Sin, Gradol】.

Naturally, for the City of Gradol, if a dragon appeared near the city, they would concentrate resources on guarding Gradol. Meanwhile, it wouldn’t allocate funds or forces for a city that’s mid-construction and not even completed yet.

It made sense, but that essentially mean――――

“…By the way, what does the main city, Gradol, say about the situation in this city?” -Ur

Ur asked that question.

He wasn’t exactly eager to hear the answer because he could more or less predict it. However, he couldn’t afford not to ask.

Responding to Ur’s question, Echelle’s expression darkened significantly, and she silently bowed her head. Taking her place as if, Kalkara answered Ur’s question in a flat tone.

“As for material support, that’s one thing, but military support is difficult. Therefore, the message is to handle it as much as possible locally.” -Kalkara

Ur covered his face. It was a terrible situation.

Uuga, a city mid-construction, was being abandoned.

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“After the city became a dungeon, the workers and I evacuated and constructed a temporary base. With the help of the 【Spirt of Stone】, we created walls and buildings to protect ourselves from the monsters.” -Kalkara

This means that the building and the walls, everything in front of them, was created by Kalkara.

Of course, it would be a major task to do the same thing by human hands, even with the use of magic. It might be fitting to say that this is indeed the work of a priest, but on the other hand, it brought up a question.

“…What about the other priests?” -Ur

“There aren’t any.” -Kalkara

“Huh?” -Ur

Ur asked again in surprise.

“There are no other priests here, besides me.” -Kalkara

Ur looked at Echelle. Echelle’s expression was bitter, as if she was chewing on something unpleasant.

“There were people wearing the uniform of the temple in this temporary temple. What about them?” -Ur

“They hold official ranks but are 【attendants】 who assist priests with their prayers. They have not been granted the protection of the spirits and naturally, cannot wield any power.” -Kalkara

“You might have heard rumors. Gradol is currently constructing several satellite cities simultaneously. There aren’t enough priests to be assigned. It’s construction by a few elites.” -Echelle

At Echelle’s explanation, Ur made an indescribable face.

To call it an elite force was one way to put it.

Ur didn’t know the details of how city construction was planned, but it’s absolutely absurd that there’s only one priest, especially only one of the fifth rank, Nuu.

And on top of that, the city had become a dungeon.

“Anyway! It’s your mission to conquer the dungeon that Uuga has become! Understand?!” -Echelle

Ignoring the myriad problems, Echelle spoke firmly. While he thought her demands were absurd, he also acknowledged that she was right in a way.

“True, there’s no point unless we do something about Uuga.” -Ur

The heart of all problems indeed lay in Uuga. Therefore, they had no choice but to conquer it.

Ur gazed resentfully through the stone window at the dark sphere.