Akatsuki Translations

A loud bell tolling signals the arrival of a monster.

This place is outside the city, beyond the human survival zone. Here, where the 【Barrier of the Sun】 doesn’t exist, monster attacks are not uncommon. The Nameless residents living here don’t panic over monster attacks. “Normally”.

“A DRAGON IS HEEREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”

Cries of alarm, a huge shadow appearing from the sky, the sight of a “winged dragon” approaching. The residents of the temporary city are surprised and then filled with fear.

These Nameless people know the threat of dragons.

They know it more vividly and factually than the city dwellers living safely within the city. They are familiar with the remnants of cities turned to rubble, the cursed lands still burning, the corrupt and undead-infested lands of the underworld.

“RUN AWAYYYYYYYYYY!!!”

As a result, panic ensues. Even if they try to escape, the enemy is still soaring and circling high above. Escaping from this temporary city would only lead to being quickly caught and killed. The residents, having lost their way to escape, become petrified, unable to seek refuge.

“Why does a dragon have to come all of a sudden…!!” -Ur

In the midst of this chaos, after negotiating with Jain, Ur, who had been shopping, hurried back to the inn they were using as a base, cursing under his breath.

“For now, it’s not showing any signs of attacking, but what should we do?” -Shizuku

“What can we do if it’s a real dragon?” -Ur

Ur understood the threat of dragons well enough, having fought with the necromancer and confronted the Dragon of Lust. Frankly, it was a hopeless situation. No matter how much they wanted to become gold rank by defeating it, they currently stood no chance. It wouldn’t even be a fight.

That’s why Ur was in such a hurry. He needed to find Rock and Lynne, and meet up with Akane and Diz. The best option was to wake Diz up, but if that couldn’t be done, they had to protect her, their charge, and somehow evacuate from here.

“I hope she’s at the inn――――but,” -Ur

“T-THERE YOU ARE, YOU BASTARDS!!!” -Echelle

That familiar voice belonged to Echelle.

Looking over, she was being jostled in the crowd of people. Pushed and shoved by people running around, the petite girl seemed to be about to fall over any second.

A big man running behind her almost knocked her over, so Ur pulled her arm towards them.

“Th-tha, nk you.” -Echelle

“You’re welcome. So, what brings you here?” -Ur

“T-that’s right! You guys! Do something about that dragon!” -Echelle

“It’s impossible.” -Ur

Ur answered immediately, knowing what she was about to say.

“Why not!” -Echelle

“As I’ve explained about Shizuku’s abilities, they’re not that great. They’re not something that can deal with a real dragon. We almost have no means to counter a dragon right now. It’s impossible.” -Ur

“If you don’t obey my order!” -Echelle

“You’ll arrest us as a Sun Knight? Fine. It’s better than dying. But we’re going to run before that.” -Ur

Ur calmly but clearly refused. It was necessary. They had put up with her unreasonable demands so far because they never exceeded Ur and his party’s capacity limits.

But now it’s different. The situation completely exceeds the limits of the 【The Walkers】. They have no choice but to run.

“……………!” -Echelle

Echelle was at a loss for words after being directly rejected by Ur.

Ur braced himself for her further rage, but it didn’t come.

“………Wha………what………should I do……” -Echelle

Echelle’s face was contorted in frustration. More than being angry, she seemed to be forcing herself to be angry, but her emotions couldn’t keep up. Tears welled up in her eyes, on the brink of spilling over.

Around them, screams and chaos continued. Originally, this place was only a city refuge, and it’s fair to say the situation had completely collapsed. For her, in charge of managing this place, it must be the worst-case scenario. She had already reached her limit.

Ur grabbed her shoulders.

“Let’s ask Diz for help. She’s the only one who can handle this situation now.” -Ur

“N-no, we can’t! That’s… I, I have to…!!” -Echelle

“We’re beyond the point of saying such things.” -Ur

When Ur made that clear, she contorted her face in despair. She looked as if she might die at any moment. But no matter how much she looked like she was about to die, the only thing Ur could suggest now was―

“――――Do you want help?” -Shizuku

The voice of Shizuku breaking through the tension made Ur have a bad feeling.

“Wait, Shizuku.” -Ur

“Do you want us to do something about the current situation? For that, would you do ‘anything’?” -Shizuku

Ignoring Ur’s restraint, Shizuku touched Echelle’s cheek. Her beautiful, silver-crystal-like eyes reflected in Echelle’s. As if being swallowed by them, Echelle nodded, prompted by Shizuku’s gaze.

“I-I’ll do anything!” -Echelle

“Then please swear. Until this matter is resolved, you will absolutely obey our instructions, no matter what.” -Shizuku

Echelle’s eyes widened.

“Why?” -Echelle

“If you, as the client, interfere on-site, it causes terrible confusion in the command chain. We need to maintain control.” -Shizuku

“But, but…” -Echelle

“If that’s not possible, then I’m sorry, but we will have to withdraw. Your requests are already high-risk. We can’t afford to add unnecessary dangers.” -Shizuku

“Wait!!!” -Echelle

Echelle cried out in panic. Shizuku looked down calmly at her as she clung to her arm. Originally, it should have been Echelle ordering Shizuku around, but somehow the power dynamics had completely reversed.

Echelle took a couple of deep breaths and glared.

“S-so, if I listen to you, that’ll be enough?” -Echelle

“Not me. Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

Huh? A silent exclamation escaped from Ur’s throat.

Shizuku smoothly, like a ghost, moved behind Echelle, gently placing her hands on the smaller girl’s shoulders, and moved her towards Ur.

“Now, please make a vow.” -Shizuku

“Swear, you mean?” -Echelle

“It’s okay. Ur-sama will be kind to you. He won’t hurt you.” -Shizuku

Shizuku’s voice was soft, filled with the kind of tenderness a mother offers to her child. With such a gentle voice, she was urging a contract of absolute obedience to a Nameless man.

“If you’ll listen to him, then we can fulfill your request to the best of our ability. I can be your ally.” -Shizuku

“M-my ally?” -Echelle

“You’ll surely feel safe. And besides, you won’t need to give orders anymore.” -Shizuku

“――――” -Echelle

“Come on.” -Shizuku

With the dragon still circling above, the Nameless residents’ curses and screams, and her cornered mental state, Shizuku’s words were like a beacon in the dark night.

Prompted, Echelle looked at Ur with hazy eyes, and then,

“I-I’ll listen… to you.” -Echelle

She vowed, albeit falteringly but firmly. Shizuku smiled.

“【Let the Pact be Made Here】” -Shizuku

And she quickly chanted the incantation.

“Please test it, Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

“Hey, hold on.” -Ur

“There’s no time, hurry. Ideally, you should ask her to do something she would never want to do under normal circumstances, even if ordered.” -Shizuku

“Are you trying to make me commit a crime?” -Ur

Indeed, there wasn’t much time. The chaos was escalating. But, when it comes to things unlikely to be done―

“………Give me your hand.” -Ur

She did it.

Without thinking, Echelle placed her hand in Ur’s extended one. Not even a faithful dog would react this quickly. Echelle seemed to realize what she had done a few seconds late. The confusion she had until just a moment ago vanished, replaced by a mix of embarrassment, shame, and other emotions as she blushed.

And seeing this, Shizuku nodded, satisfied.

“It worked well.” -Shizuku

“Do you even know what dignity is?” -Ur

“I do.” -Shizuku

“Then this is even worse. I wonder if we’ll get arrested for this?” -Ur

If she’s doing it knowingly, it’s the worst. And she continued,

“Ah, Ur-sama. Since she followed the order, please give her a reward.” -Shizuku

“What???” -Ur

“Hurry. We don’t have much time.” -Shizuku

“You think you can say anything just because it’s an emergency?” -Ur

“I don’t think so.” -Shizuku

“This woman lies straight to my face with a serious look.” -Ur

What reward, what reward? In this situation, there’s almost nothing he can do or give. There’s no time. Reluctantly, Ur reached out and gently touched her head. She seemed a bit scared, so he lightly touched her with his fingertips, touching her head.

“Theeeere, there, there, there.” -Ur

Is treating her like a dog the reward?

A strong doubt crossed his mind, but he decided not to think about it anymore. He moved slowly to not startle her, massaging behind her uniquely beast-like ears, stroking her neck, providing warmth. It was more like a massage than just petting.

With the dragon still flying around and screams all around, why he was doing this was a complete mystery, but Ur turned off his thoughts completely. He focused on the reward.

“……ah……uh………uh……” -Echelle

Echelle looked like she wanted to say something, but no complaints or curses came out. Her face was flushed, but she didn’t seem displeased or disgusted. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked like she was trying to endure some ticklish sensation but didn’t try to escape.

Seems safe. But he felt incredibly dubious about what he was doing. What kind of play is this?

“As expected of you, Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

“Never knew praise could feel so unpleasant. It’s a first for me.” -Ur

“Then shall we regroup with everyone, Ur-sama?” -Shizuku

Shizuku said with a strong, smiling voice. Ur nodded.

“Yeah. Shizuku, you’re getting a lecture later.” -Ur

“Oh my.” -Shizuku

Don’t say “Oh my.”