Akatsuki Translations

A few days after receiving advice from Diz.

The night when Ur woke up after being completely charred by the dragon and the phenomenon occurred in Uuga.

Once again, inside Diz’s carriage.

“I was super close to dying.” -Ur

“You sure come close to death quite a bit, Ur. Are you okay?” -Diz

“…Well, somehow. Everything hurts, though.” -Ur

Having nearly been roasted to death by a flying dragon and barely revived, Ur agreed while looking quite exhausted. It was probably the closest he’d come to dying in his adventuring career.

Without his companions, including Echelle, he would have certainly died. They were a weird bunch, but he felt profoundly fortunate to have such good companions. He decided not to think about the possibility that their strange encounter might be the reason for his current predicament.

《Nii-tan, you really should get your head checked. 》-Akane

“Akane, are you calling me stupid?” -Ur

《Yeah. 》-Akane

Ah, she’s seriously mad.

Ur tried to pet Akane’s head to appease her, but she showed no response. He felt lonely.

“Well, I was careless. It’s entirely my fault for being so distracted.” -Ur

“And what distracted you was that thing resembling a true magic core, right?” -Diz

Yes, the accumulation point where the sandworms were carrying magic stones. In the heart of the dungeon, where a true magic core should have been, there was a strange crystal that seemed different. If Rock’s view was correct, that was the center of everything in the Dragon-Devoured city.

“Did you figure out what it was?” -Diz

Asked, Ur fell silent for a moment, then placed Akane on his lap.

“Yeah, I’ve… figured it out… well, it wasn’t me who guessed.” -Ur

The one who made the guess was Lynne.

Just before they were attacked by the dragon, she had matched the bizarre crystal with the knowledge she had acquired at the magic academy, recalling a specific spell that fit.

“That is… it’s a ritual for creating a familiar.” -Ur

Lynne had said that. Although she seemed somewhat incredulous herself, the spell appeared to be unmistakably for that purpose.

“A large magic stone in the center, a source of magical power, with spells inscribed on the stone itself and its surroundings. Using the magic source to create familiars with the ‘materials’ around.” -Ur

“And now, the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga has transformed into a creature-like appearance. I see?” -Diz

Diz got it. Ur also realized it immediately after hearing Lynne’s explanation and faced the ridiculous conjecture about the mastermind, presumably a heretic, who had conceived this plan.

“Some insane person is trying to turn the city itself into a gigantic familiar.” -Ur

Existences called mobile fortresses, like the island-eating turtle, do indeed exist. They are, in a sense, a type of familiar. But this situation is incomparable. After all, we’re talking about a city.

What the planner intends to achieve with this is unknown, but their mind must be deranged. No, their insanity is precisely why they’ve become heretics and turned against humanity.

《Would something like that even listen to words? 》-Akane

“Who knows. It might depend on the creator’s skill. It’s possible they might just use it for a mass assault based on sheer numbers.” -Diz

“Where are they planning to send it?” -Ur

“If we assume the heretics are involved, then it’s definitely towards the City of Sin, Proudia. The place where the Wise Heavenly King resides. Without a doubt.” -Diz

Diz stated this definitively.

“Is that so?” -Ur

“Yes, because Proudia, a City of Sin, is the heart of the faith of the Sun God, which the heretics loathe. It’s always been a target for them, and large-scale invasion plans haven’t been made just once or twice.” -Diz

“It seemed peaceful when Akane and I lived in Proudia.” -Ur

“That peace is the result of effort.” -Diz

In other words, maintaining peace by constantly thwarting such outrageous plans as turning the city itself into a familiar. This understanding elevates Ur’s respect for Diz, though she herself does not boast of such achievements and remains reclined.

“But wouldn’t Gradol be a target instead? It’s closer, isn’t it?” -Ur

“No. You know why, don’t you?” -Diz

Diz smirked mischievously. Ur grimaced and looked down, voicing his speculation.

“This incident involves someone from the City of Sin, Gradol.” -Ur

“Or perhaps, Gradol are the masterminds themselves.” -Diz

Diz immediately corrected Ur’s somewhat optimistic estimate.

” It’s a plan to turn the entire city into a familiar. It’s not a project of a scale where external intervention during city construction could make a difference. It’s safer to consider that Uuga was built for that purpose from the beginning.” -Diz

“So, with the flying dragon incident, it’s confirmed that the heretics are involved…” -Ur

“Yes, so the standing theory is that Gradol has colluded with the heretics. Together, they’ve plotted to attack the City of Sin, Proudia.” -Diz

Ur fell silent, needing time to digest the conclusion Diz had reached.

“…Are the people of Gradol out of their minds?” -Ur

Ur finally voiced his disgust, criticizing the faction in Gradol responsible for this plot. It was insane. Or perhaps, were they truly insane?

“Or is it that rather than colluding, Gradol has been taken over by the heretics?” -Ur

Honestly, that would make more sense. Otherwise, it’s hard to comprehend a situation where a City of Sin attacks another with a massive monster, or rather, a familiar.

However, Diz looked somewhat convinced, despite Ur’s confusion.

“Actually, it’s just not public knowledge, but Proudia and Gradol have always been like this, beneath the surface.” -Diz

“What?” -Ur

“They don’t get along. ‘The old continental ruling nation’ and ‘the current continental ruling nation’.” -Diz

Before the rise of numerous dungeons, before the world was overrun by monsters, the entity that ruled the Isralia continent was the City of Sin, Gradol — more accurately, a powerful nation that could be considered Gradol’s predecessor. This country, now lost to history, exerted its influence to the furthest corners of the continent, boasting an invincible army and renowned name.

However, dungeons appeared. They emerged across the continent, tearing apart the expansive nation’s control. In chaos and unable to organize its army properly, the nation fragmented.

The 【Temple】 brought order to the chaos, shrinking to a size so small it had to join the Grand Federation managed by the City of Sin, Proudia to survive, which is the origin of today’s City of Sin, Gradol.

“So, Gradol was saved by Proudia.” -Ur

“But, there are those in Gradol who think this: Gradol is still the ruler of the continent. And the Temple along with Proudia, are usurpers who seized the throne amidst the chaos.” -Diz

Indeed, when the Temples went to “rescue” Gradol, conflicts arose, and blood was shed. It wasn’t a simple story of help given and received.

“But that’s a story from hundreds of years ago.” -Ur

“It’s a story that continues from hundreds of years ago to the present, Ur. History is continuous.” -Diz

“History or whatever, it’s a distant tale for Nameless like us.” -Ur

“You people are not unrelated… but let’s not digress.” -Diz

Indeed. Ur scratched his head. Regardless of Gradol’s circumstances or how justified their reasons might be, currently, Gradol’s malice is falling upon Ur and his companions. They have no choice but to shake it off. While he understood the importance of history, dealing with the current crisis comes first.

“It’s almost certain that Gradol is involved. That means we have to suspect someone.” -Diz

“Echelle? But she…” -Ur

“No fool would invite you in, knowing full well the 【Hero】 might come along if they were planning a rebellion against Proudia. She can be ruled out. The prime suspect is someone else.” -Diz

“—Kalkara.” -Ur

Echelle’s attendant. Always taking care of her, the closest person to the top of this city. The only priest granted the power to freely manipulate spirits in place of Echelle, who cannot, and allowed to shape the satellite city Uuga as she pleases.

She is the most suspicious.

“If the ritual involves turning Uuga itself into a familiar, then preparations during the city’s design stage are absolutely necessary. She’s the one to suspect. It’s not impossible that she simply followed orders as given for the city construction plan.” -Diz

Ur shook his head.

“I haven’t spoken directly to her many times, but she didn’t seem like the type to just wait for instructions.” -Ur

She wasn’t a woman who would nod along to anything, whether it was orders from Echelle or Gradol. At times, she would openly oppose them or try to steer things in a direction she preferred. Regardless of the merits of her responses, it was clear she had her own judgment.

“If there were any strange instructions during the city construction, she would have noticed. So, it’s confirmed then.” -Diz

“…Is she a heretic? Or under Gradol’s command?” -Ur

Ur had met Kalkara a few times and even had brief conversations. There was nothing suspicious in her behavior during those encounters; she seemed aloof but always intent on protecting Echelle. Echelle also seemed to trust her completely, which didn’t align with the impression of a heretic.

Diz agreed with Ur’s assessment.

“She was the one advancing the city’s construction, right? Then it’s likely under Gradol’s orders. She seems ‘unseized by the powers from spirits.’ I don’t think she’s had direct contact with the dragon.” -Diz

Ur was puzzled by the information he hadn’t heard before.

“…Seizure of the power of the spirits?” -Ur

“It’s a safety mechanism for the power of spirits. If one becomes aligned with dragons, or their kin, even a priest will have their power seized—or rather, fled from by the spirits. Spirits dislike dragons.” -Diz

I see. Ur nodded in understanding, then tilted his head in confusion.

“Spirits flee at the presence of dragons.” -Ur

“Yes.” -Diz

“This incident involves Gradol and the heretics, or rather, they’re in cahoots.” -Ur

“Highly likely.” -Diz

“Kalkara might be acting on orders from Gradol or the heretics.” -Ur

“That’s right.” -Diz

“She was using the 【Stone Spirit】.” -Ur

“Heretics are deeply associated with dragons but aren’t dragons themselves.” -Diz

“…” -Ur

“…” -Diz

“So, spirits’ dragon detection is pretty sloppy?” -Ur

“You’ve noticed a good point, Ur. Spirits are indeed quite sloppy.” -Diz

Ur’s incredulous gaze met with Diz’s cool response.

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“The Sun God Zerudia, who created the Isralia continent. During the chaos of the great dungeon flood, he manifested to save the beleaguered people of Isralia and made a pact with the first Wise Heavenly King, who had the highest affinity with spirits. He shared his power and that of his servants, the spirits, with humanity.” -Diz

Diz recounted the history of the pact between Zerudia and the Wise Heavenly King, a tale Ur was somewhat familiar with. However, he had always considered it a distant story unrelated to him, without giving it much thought.

“The Sun God Zerudia commanded the spirits to assist humans. At the same time, he designated the dragons, thought to be the cause of the dungeons’ emergence in Isralia, as enemies. He made it so that contacting dragons was to be avoided by placing a ‘collar’ on them.” -Diz

“That’s why Akane dislikes my right hand, right?” -Ur

《Grooossss. 》-Akane

“I’m gonna cry.” -Ur

“In essence, spirits’ aversion to dragons isn’t based on morality or ethics but simply because they can’t endure the ‘shackles’ placed by the Sun God.” -Diz

Of course, imposing human rules and conditions on spirits, beings entirely different from humans, is a somewhat irreverent notion, Diz noted with a slightly troubled smile. Ur frowned.

“Then, if a bad guy is favored by spirits, that’s really bad, isn’t it?” -Ur

“That’s why the Temple strictly manages those with high affinity for spirits. It’s one of the Temple’s’ roles. The priests, attendants, and the privileged class are all ‘collared’ as the price for their status.” -Diz

“I see… but that means…” -Ur

Diz laughed merrily at Ur’s reaction, like a teacher delighted with a responsive student.

“Yes, just as you predicted. This assumes that the 【Temple】 itself, which manages spirits and the country, will not be misused. To prevent such a situation from occurring, even in the unlikely event, there is a system in place where the ‘Knight’s Order’, independent of the Temple’s management, will handle the situation.” -Diz

That’s how it should be.

Ur absentmindedly gazed at the scenery outside the carriage window. It was a pitch-black night. Nothing could be seen. There were no signs of people. There were no knights on alert to deal with the monsters that could attack at any time. Only the faint light of the magical barrier provided unreliable protection.

If this weren’t Gradol, where the number of monsters is low, it wouldn’t have held up at all.

“…There are no knights here, though.” -Ur

“No, there aren’t. Normally, for a city under construction, I think it’s common for knights to be stationed for protection.” -Diz

“Apparently, due to a shortage of manpower, the Knight’s Order couldn’t spare any personnel. The White Serpent from the Monster Hunting Guild came as a substitute for protection.” -Ur

“…” -Diz

“…” -Ur

The two fell silent. They probably both thought the same thing. That’s why they were silent.

It was Akane who broke the silence.

《Weren’t we set up from the beginning?》 -Akane

“Don’t say it, Akane.” -Ur

“Is it possible that even the Gradol Knights Order is involved?” -Diz

Really, the more one thinks about it, the more it becomes clear that this situation was orchestrated from the start. Echelle, who was desperately struggling to resolve the situation, is pitiful. Moreover, her own aide has betrayed her.

“Sorry for sympathizing, but the situation will probably get even worse.” -Diz

“There’s more…?” -Ur

“They’ll try to silence us.” -Diz

“Wow, how ominous.” -Ur

Ur laughed at the overly straightforward words. There was nothing else to do but laugh.