Akatsuki Translations

The dwarf man who had taken over the construction of the defensive walls in place of Kalkara introduced himself as Dakkan.

“Do you know that the City of Sin, Gradol has been creating satellite cities here and there?” -Dakkan

“I know. And also, that they hire Nameless people and work them mercilessly.” -Ur

“Hmph, then I’ll keep it brief.” -Dakkan

The treatment of the Nameless in Gradol, he explained, was like that of slaves.

“Lured by the promise of permanent city residency, they’re overworked without proper pay. Talk back and they’re beaten or kicked. They’re not even given proper housing, crammed into shabby rooms.” -Dakkan

It seemed more like he had experienced it himself rather than just seen it. Dakkan’s eyes were clouded with a dull color as he spoke.

“Weren’t they able to escape?” -Ur

Ur voiced a natural question. Permanent city residency is indeed an attractive offer, but not worth one’s life. It’s common for the Nameless to wander outside the city. He wondered if they could have escaped if they really wanted to.

But Dakkan shook his head.

“The Sun Knights and the priests keep watch. There’s no escape.” -Dakkan

“God’s servants acting like slave traders…” -Ur

Priests, the servants of the One and Only God, Zerudia, are said to be the hands and feet of God. It was hard to believe they would engage in such actions… or so Ur thought, but he didn’t harbor any illusions about them. They are human after all, and some may stray from the path.

It was rare, however, to hear of it being done on a national scale.

“Servants of the One and Only God, my ass! Those in Gradol are scoundrels who abuse the power of spirits for their own greed!” -Dakkan

It seemed that the priests ruling Gradol were doing as they pleased, taking advantage of the fact that the eyes of the Wise Heavenly King were far away, especially in their treatment of the Nameless, which was as bad as he had heard.

“Men, women, and children all in the same room! Can’t even wash properly! No backtalk allowed, complain and you get whipped! It’s no different from human trafficking!” -Dakkan

“I see… And? What about this ‘favor’ you mentioned?” -Ur

The conversation began to drift, so it was steered back on track. Yes, yes, Dakkan nodded along.

“Well, as I was saying, because we received such poor treatment, a lot of us ended up exhausted and in tatters. Some got sick. No matter how much you’re whipped, you can’t move if you’re unable.” -Dakkan

“That makes sense.” -Ur

“So, we who were managed by the priests were seen as a nuisance, I suppose. One day, they said we were being moved to a new workplace. The ones particularly weak were selected and brought here.” -Dakkan

“…That is.” -Ur

Ur hesitated, then closed his mouth. Dakkan continued. The Nameless who were brought here with rough handling, as if they were livestock, were received by Echelle, who was in charge of constructing the “satellite city, Uuga.”

She was furious upon seeing the Nameless, so weakened they couldn’t even stand.

―― What is this?! Why do they all look so useless?!

Though harsh as a rebuke to the sick, her anger was understandable. She was seeking labor to replace the insufficient priests.

Yet, instead of workers, she was saddled with liabilities.

“And then? After she had complained about us and scolded the sick, what do you think that lady did?” -Dakkan

“…She let the sick rest and gave them food.” -Ur

Dakkan looked a bit surprised, his small eyes widening.

“How did you know?” -Dakkan

“I’ve gotten a sense of what kind of person she is.” -Ur

It wasn’t that he believed in her goodness.

Probably, Echelle was just out of options. She had no leeway to think about further harming the sick people sent to her, disposing of them, or leaving them to their fate for her own selfish desires.

The lack of options led her to do the right thing. Resting the sick and the weakened, healing them, and feeding them were the “obvious” choices she made.

“Well, that’s the gist of it. That’s why we owe her, why we owe that lady.” -Dakkan

“Even if it wasn’t out of goodwill?” -Ur

“A favor is a favor. Thanks to her, my wife didn’t die. And the work we do now is far more reasonable than before!” -Dakkan

Ur was convinced as Dakkan laughed heartily. The Nameless don’t have a sense of belonging. Their reverence for the powerful is shallow. They’re moved more by direct gains and losses, by exchanges of kindness. Echelle had fulfilled that, resulting in their high motivation to work.

“It’s not just that, that lady doesn’t have any composure at all.”  -Dakkan

“Yeah, that’s true.” -Ur

As they spoke, other Nameless individuals gathered around. Men and women of various ages and races.

“It’s pitiful to see her, no older than my daughter, looking so pale.” -Nameless

“Those from Gradol are infuriating too. What do they expect such a small girl to do?” -Nameless

“So, we thought we’d better do our jobs properly.” -Nameless

Though this was probably far from what Echelle had initially wanted, there was a genuine respect for her. Her lack of options, her personality, and the original treatment of the Nameless, a combination of various circumstances, had led to this unintended outcome, but it wasn’t a bad thing.

“I’ve understood why so many still haven’t run away.” -Ur

“Well, if things really go south, we’ll run.” -Nameless

“Hope it doesn’t come to that. You guys better do your best! Help us make something of that Uuga!” -Dakkan

“Don’t wait up with bated breath.” -Ur

As Ur absorbed the information about the provisional city, its Nameless residents, and Echelle, he let their excessive expectations wash over him.

　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

The Next Day

Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga, In front of the main gate

“Shall we go on our second expedition then?” -Ur

『The last time was quite disastrous. 』-Rock

“I wanted to do a bit more research…” -Lynne

“Actual combat is also necessary.” -Shizuku

Everyone was speaking their minds. There doesn’t seem to be any tension. They’re not the type to stiffen up and slow down. If anyone were to stiffen up, it would only be Ur. Thinking this made him slightly irritated with the laid-back attitude of the others.

No, there’s one more person who could be problematic.

『So, is that young lady coming? 』-Rock

“It looks like she’s already here.” -Shizuku

At Shizuku’s words, Ur turned around. Echelle had arrived, without Kalkara. She was wearing the armor of a Sun Knight, but the decorative parts had been removed, making it look somewhat sleeker. She carried a magic rifle over her shoulder and had a portable bag fastened to her belt. Having discussed it just yesterday, she was properly dressed for challenging the dungeon.

But what was notably different,

“You’ve properly removed your makeup, Echelle-sama.” -Ur

“Quiet. It smudges with sweat and gets in my eyes.” -Echelle

“I bet.” -Ur

Well, there’s a point to be made about wearing makeup in the dungeon and who you’re trying to impress with it. However, seeing Echelle without makeup made her appear significantly younger.

“I hadn’t asked before, but how old are you?” -Ur

“…Is that relevant now?” -Echelle

“Just curious. If you don’t want to answer, I’ll retract the question.” -Ur

“…18 years old.” -Echelle

She’s three years older than Ur. Despite this, she looks quite short for her age, young enough that one might think she’s even younger. That’s probably why she was overcompensating with makeup that didn’t suit her.

While Ur appreciated the effort women make to dress up beautifully, he was glad she had removed that particular makeup, which “wasn’t necessary.” Knowing fully well that saying this out loud would definitely infuriate her, he chose to remain silent.

“Do you have a problem with that?” -Echelle

“No. I can’t help but respect the fact that you’re bearing such a heavy responsibility at your age.” -Ur

Saying that, Ur extended his hand. Echelle looked puzzled at first.

“What’s this?” -Echelle

“A handshake.” -Ur

“Why?” -Echelle

“Because it’s necessary.” -Ur

Ur didn’t retract his offered hand. Despite being a mere human and smaller than Ur, he slightly lowered his posture to avoid looking down on her, facing her straight on.

“The employer and the employed. The commanded and the commander. Our relationship has gotten unnecessarily complicated, so I wanted to make one thing clear.” -Ur

“What’s that?” -Echelle

“In the dungeon, we’re comrades.” -Ur

At Ur’s words, Echelle widened her eyes slightly, frowned, and then glared at Ur. Ur didn’t avert his gaze and kept his hand extended. After a pause, during which no one else spoke, Echelle finally gave in, or perhaps made up her mind, and took Ur’s hand.

Ur gripped her hand firmly.

“Do your job properly.” -Echelle

“We’re in this together. I’m counting on you too.” -Ur

Thus, Echelle became one of their comrades.

Neither of them knew yet that their relationship, whether in Ur’s or Echelle’s mind, was going to last much longer than either could have imagined.