Akatsuki Translations

The “Temporary” Temple.

This was supposed to be established in the satellite city of Uuga. The number of “priests” residing in this substitute place is extremely small. There’s only one, Kalkara. However, that doesn’t mean the place is devoid of people.

Those called 【Attendants】 live here.

“I’ll say it again, not everyone from a family with an official position becomes a priest. Even I haven’t yet received the blessing from the priests―――― from the spirits to become a full-fledged priest.” -Lynne

Lynne explained to Ur and Shizuku.

Currently, the three of them were in the Temporary Temple, summoned by Echelle.

Since deciding to tackle the dungeon of the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga, Ur and his party had been preparing. However, they couldn’t get everything ready immediately. They needed to recover the physical and magical energy they had expended, of course, but more importantly, the chaotic temporary city needed repairs, and the injured needed care. Great Eagle of Dawn took the lead in managing the chaos, which quickly subsided, but it was still necessary. After all, they were the only source of supplies for Ur’s group.

In the midst of all this, they were called by Echelle.

And so, they stepped into the “Temporary” Temple again. The first time they were too overwhelmed by the unusual circumstances to observe their surroundings. But this time, they noticed that this place called the “Temporary Temple” was much more solidly constructed than they had imagined.

“Look, Ur-sama. Even water is being drawn.” -Shizuku

“Seriously? What’s up with this place? It’s supposed to be a shelter, right?” -Ur

Despite the recent dragon disturbance, the facility was hardly damaged. It was clear how sturdy it was.

“…Let’s get back to the topic. About the attendants.” -Lynne

Lynne cleared her throat.

“Not everyone from a family with an official position becomes a priest. But families with official positions have a much higher affinity with spirits than ordinary city dwellers. Therefore, the Temple imposes a duty on these families to serve at the temples. To offer prayers.” -Lynne

The primary source of energy for city operations, brought by adventurers, is magic stones. However, to maintain the function of the spirits in the temples, members of families with official positions are needed.

Those who work in response to the Temple’s requests are called 【attendants 】.

“Everyone here belongs to families with official positions, right?” -Shizuku

“Yes… well, they should be.” -Echelle

Looking at “them,” Echelle’s expression understandably becomes a bit awkward.

“Why do I have to be in a place like this! Let me go home already!!”

“Where’s Raleigh? I’ll make them take responsibility!”

“………！！！………！！！！！”

Glancing at what seemed to be a conference room, Attendants gathered there. They were not working together. Each of them was yelling, screaming, demanding accountability in their own chaotic way. While their actions varied, they all shared the commonality of wasting time. Ur and his group discreetly kept their distance from the conference room.

“…It’s chaotic here. This place should have suffered the least damage, yet it’s the noisiest.” -Ur

“It’s understandable given the situation, but it seems more severe than I thought.” -Lynne

“No, but this is really bad. It’s not functioning at all.” -Ur 

Lynne frowned, indicating the situation was quite dire even by her standards, who typically only showed interest in the White King Formation.

“Well, they should at least be able to pray, right? Those people… I mean, those personages??” -Ur

“Being an attendant isn’t just about praying. It’s about assisting priests in general, communicating with other cities, managing resources, and other miscellaneous tasks. It’s all part of an attendant’s job.” -Lynne

“Sounds tough.” -Ur

“It is. Assisting priests during emergencies is a crucial task. What are they even doing?” -Lynne

“That’s a valid point, but don’t look at me.” -Ur

It was evident that the attendants couldn’t handle even the miscellaneous tasks Lynne mentioned. To put it simply, they were a disorganized group. Why they were in such a state was a mystery…

“Can’t be helped, the balance has collapsed here in this mock temple.”

A man’s voice interrupted. Turning around, they saw a beastman approaching with a curious look. A middle-aged beastman with a somewhat suspicious smile. He was dressed as an attendant, indicating he was from a family with an official position. Ur and Shizuku bowed in respect.

“Ah, no need for formalities. I’m just from a family with an official position. Besides, I’m not exactly a diligent attendant. I’m the lowest rank, Nuu.”

He laughed heartily and waved his hand, confirming his lack of seriousness. Ur thought about the unusually low encounter rate with serious officials.

“Y’all’re that, right? Adventurers hired by Echelle-sama?”

“Yes, we are. And you are?” -Lynne

“I’m Kalan Nuu Finnel. An attendant, nice to meetcha.” -Kalan

He smiled broadly, his grin seemingly fixed on his face.

“I’m Lynne Nu Leyline, also a Nuu.” -Lynne

“My name is Ur.” -Ur

“I am Shizuku. And what did you mean by the balance having collapsed?” -Shizuku

At Shizuku’s question, he simply replied, “Exactly what I said.”

“The commander here is Echelle-sama, right? She’s a fourth-rank Loine. And she’s not even a priest. Then there are those among the attendants who have the same or higher rank than her.” -Kalan

He indicated towards the conference room, barely opening the door. There, a particularly obese man was visible. He was so round he almost seemed like a different species.

“…He looks like the embodiment of unhealthy living.” -Ur

“Gradol is known as the gourmet city. The production cities, where selective breeding is most advanced, especially have many overweight priests. And that’s Griffin Gran Sousan, the highest-ranked among the attendants.” -Kalan

“Oh my.” -Shizuku

Diz was also a third-rank Gran, but the impression was starkly different. Although obesity does not directly relate to one’s character or capability, this was excessively extreme.

“He even brings large quantities of food from Gradol.” -Kalan

“My, he’s quite the glutton indeed.” -Shizuku

Shizuku smiled gently, while Ur continued to observe the obese third-rank Gran, who kept loudly repeating his complaints about Echelle. When the others around him agreed, he would sit back smugly, as if he had accomplished something, and soon began to sway gently. From this distance, it was hard to see, but he was likely dozing off.

“Also, he loves sleeping.” -Kalan

“A growing boy, perhaps?” -Shizuku

“…At least now it’s clear that guy isn’t doing his job properly.” -Ur

With him being the highest-ranking official here, the situation seemed quite bleak.

“The others are similar. The top here is Echelle-sama, a fourth-rank Loine, so many don’t feel obliged to follow her.” -Kalan

“This is a major city construction project, right? Normally, regardless of rank, commanders’ orders should be followed, or everything could collapse.” -Lynne

“That’s a very valid point. And indeed, everything here has already collapsed.” -Kalan

The initial instability was compounded when the dragon attacked, and the city construction site was shrouded in a mysterious curse, halting all construction plans. The command structure had fallen apart.

The chaos in the conference room seemed inevitable under these circumstances.

“And to add, most of those made attendants here are considered ‘expendable’ by both the Temple and their families.” -Kalan

“Are you saying they’re treated like pawns?” -Ur

“Exactly. Even before considering the power balance, we were already considered bad assets.” -Kalan

According to him, the only competent one might be the priest Kalkara, who came to support Echelle. The rest, including himself, were almost like they had been kicked out.

“All this scum gathered here, causing panic. Regretting it yet?” -Kalan

“Quite a bit. So, why are you telling us all this?” -Ur

He wouldn’t just kindly share the inner workings of the temporary temple without expecting something in return. Kalan then scratched his head, looking a bit troubled, a stark contrast to his earlier confident demeanor.

“Ah, well, you see, you’re directly employed by Echelle-sama, right? So, it’s like, you know…” -Kalan

He cleared his throat, looking somewhat reluctant to speak his mind.

“Could you subtly suggest to that young lady to give up?” -Kalan

Looking at his expression, there seemed to be no contempt or malice, more like pity.

“This place is a trash can. A bin for the disposing of useless people who have become a nuisance. It’s just too ridiculous for someone to lose sleep over running around for such a place.” -Kalan

“So you want us to make her give up? She won’t back down easily.” -Ur

At this point, that woman was not in a situation where she could back down.

“Tell her yourself first. We don’t have the luxury of time to do that.” -Ur

“If an old man like me says it, it’ll just come off as spiteful, right? That’s why… ah.” -Kalan

The conference room door opened. A group of people, the so-called attendants or, as Kalan put it, ‘bad assets,’ filed out. Hearing them labeled that way made them seem rather hopeless, perhaps a biased view?

“Such a complete waste of time!” -Griffin

Amidst them, the loudest was third-rank Gran, Griffin, previously described by Kalan from a distance. He approached with an insolent attitude, quite unlike someone who had just been dozing off.

Ur quickly bowed his head, hoping to avoid any unnecessary trouble and prayed that Griffin would pass by swiftly, but…

“…Hm? Just as I was wondering who it was, if it isn’t Kalan? Skipping the meeting and loafing around, are we?” -Griffin

Unfortunately, it seemed like Ur wouldn’t be able to avoid the interaction.

Griffin abruptly stopped his movement and stared directly at them. Or more precisely, at Kalan. Kalan, who was called out by name, briefly twisted his expression to look annoyed before smiling wryly.

“Well, a guy like me wouldn’t be of any use even if I did show up…” -Kalan

“Hmph, well, certainly not.” -Griffin

Griffin laughed. There was strong mockery in his expression.

“A dropout who ran away from priest training, kicked out even from the lowest-ranking Finell family. While it’s natural for low-ranking families to be trash, the likes of you are beyond that.” -Griffin

“Indeed, as you say…” -Kalan

“If you can’t fulfill your role as a servant, how about at least serving tea?” -Griffin

“I’ll make sure to do that from now on.” -Kalan

Despite being directly mocked, Kalan kept his composure. It wasn’t so much that he was suppressing anger as it was an air of resignation. As if he had given up. Bored with his non-reactive toy, Griffin let out a huff of disinterest and turned his attention away,

“…Huh?” -Griffin

He then noticed the exceptionally beautiful Shizuku.

“Oh! What a stunning girl you are. What’s your name?” -Griffin

“My name is Shizuku.” -Shizuku

“That outfit… you’re not an attendant, are you? Well, I’ll forgive you! I am magnanimous, after all!” -Griffin

“Wow, how merciful of you, Griffin-sama!” Shizuku beamed, exaggerating her gratitude. Griffin seemed quite pleased with her response, loosening his already slack facial muscles further.

“How about joining me for a meal? I’ll introduce you to the rich culinary culture of Gradol—” -Griffin

“She’s my guest, Griffin-sama,” -Echelle

A voice interjected.

It was Echelle, accompanied by Kalkara. She stepped in front of Shizuku, her usual slightly angry expression replaced with a hint of fear.

Griffin’s face immediately soured, his plump head swelling even more with annoyance.

“Do you have a problem with my decision, Raleigh?” -Griffin

“N-no, but she is vital for resolving this situation.” -Echelle

“And when will you resolve it? Cursed by a dragon, transformed into a dungeon, and now even attacked by a real dragon! How do you plan to take responsibility for this?!” -Griffin

In front of Shizuku, he lazily stretched, his face that had puffed up moments ago now turning red with anger. It was as if he had a hundred different expressions. His emotions seemed quite turbulent.

Echelle shrank back, clearly frightened. Despite her courage to charge into a dungeon, she was scared of this obese man, a point of fear Ur couldn’t quite understand.

“Griffin-sama, please give us a little more time. I promise we will quell this chaos and restore peace. Could you please show us your mercy?” -Kalkara

Echelle, who had become small and timid, was shielded by Kalkara, who stepped forward, clasped her hands together, and deeply bowed her head. Her words somewhat subdued Griffin’s bluster, but he still pointed at Echelle with an expression of unresolved anger.

“If this situation drags on any longer, I will return to Gradol!” -Griffin

“That would be…” -Echelle

“Remember that without my prayers, sustaining the temporary city will be impossible!” -Griffin

With that, Griffin left, marching off pompously. He was a storm of a man. Suddenly, Kalan was also nowhere to be seen, having seemingly taken the opportunity of Griffin’s focus on Echelle to make a swift exit. A shrewd man indeed.

Once Griffin was out of sight, Echelle pressed her fist to her forehead and groaned bitterly.

“It would be terrible if Griffin-sama left…!” -Echelle

“Is it that bad?” -Ur

“Losing the prayers of a Gran is indeed bad. We would lose the energy needed to wield the power of the spirits. One priest alone cannot compensate for it, especially in city construction.” -Lynne

Ur understood the gravity of the situation after Lynne’s explanation. It was indeed a serious problem, akin to losing a vast amount of magic stones used in magic. However, Kalkara remained calm amidst Echelle’s distress.

“That obese and lazy man being drafted as an attendant for city construction already implies there must be ‘appropriate reasons’ either for him or his family. It’s unlikely he can easily resign.” -Kalkara

“I-is that so…?”  -Echelle

“Yes, so stay strong, Echelle-sama.” -Kalkara

Encouraged by Kalkara’s calm words, Echelle slowly lifted her face, still looking frail but seemingly a bit recovered. Kalkara then turned her gaze towards them.

“So, why are you here? What about the dragon subjugation, the dungeon exploration?” -Kalkara

“We were called here by Echelle-sama, but…” -Ur

Ur replied, and Kalkara turned her gaze back to Echelle, who awkwardly looked away, seeming a bit embarrassed.