Akatsuki Translations

Stepping out of the bustling city, filled with heat and desire, endless plains stretched out before them.

The once-abundant man-made structures that covered the landscape were now gone, reduced to rubble and buried by the earth due to the onslaught of monsters emerging from the dungeons.

Through these plains ambled the Island-Eating Turtle, moving at its leisurely pace.

With each step of the colossal turtle, the ground trembled and sunk. The path the turtle took had been tread upon countless times before, so much so that the ground had become hard, with no grass growing. The turtle continued its journey, following the path it had paved for itself.

From the side of their carriage, Ur’s party watched the turtle’s progress.

Although the turtle moved slowly, its strides were immense. It moved slightly faster than their leisurely trotting carriage. If not for Diz’s horses, they might have been quickly left behind.

The carriage, pulled by Diz’s beloved horses Dāru and Sūru, was a medium-sized one that could transport not only people but also goods. Despite its standard appearance, the ride was surprisingly comfortable. There was hardly any jolt or noise, and its speed was notably fast. The horses looked at ease, but they never let the turtle outpace them. It was the most comfortable carriage ride Ur has ever had.

“It’s expensive, you know,” Diz remarked.

If it made the journey more comfortable, a pricier carriage was more than welcome. The real issue was:

“…Should I even be sitting here?” wondered Ur, as he held the reins.

“You’ve at least ridden before, right?” -Diz

“Well, yeah, but…” -Ur

Ur had spent more days outside cities than inside, always traveling. He knew the basics of riding and handling horses.

《Nii-tan is good with horsies! 》 Akane chirped, giving him her stamp of approval. This boosted Ur’s confidence.

“Just leave it to them. Dāru and Sūru are smart.” -Diz

It seemed that Diz trusted the horses more than Ur. Indeed, the two horses were intelligent. They pulled the carriage without much direction from Ur, moving with certainty as if they knew where they were headed. They even compensated for Ur’s clumsy handling.

Yet, it was impossible for Ur not to feel tense. Especially seeing Diz, who was nonchalantly using Shizuku’s lap as a pillow, resting so carefree.

“Ahhh, I’m sleepy… Shizuku, your lap is so soooft~~.” -Diz

“My, thank you, Diz-sama.” -Shizuku

《Won’t you catch a cold? 》-Akane

“If that happens, I’ll just have Shizuku warm me up.” -Diz

“If that’s the case, I’d have to hold you close.” -Shizuku

Their conversation, clear due to the quiet ride, reached Ur’s ears. He wasn’t jealous of Shizuku, who was multitasking as Diz’s pillow and scanning for surrounding monsters with her magic.

During intercity travels, the biggest threat was encountering monsters. But so far,

“At present, there are no signs of any monsters.” -Shizuku

“Shouldn’t there be packs of Shadow Wolves and Corpse Eating Birds around here?” -Ur

Shadow Wolves attacked in groups. They were not particularly strong but were agile. Corpse-Eating Birds were smart creatures that feasted on the dead, sometimes even luring Shadow Wolves to create fresh corpses. However, since their departure, they hadn’t seen any.

The reason was clear: the periodic tremors from the Island-Eating Turtle.

“Thanks to the turtle. Monsters outside the dungeon behave more like regular animals. Their survival instincts make them wary of the turtle.” -Diz

By that logic, the horses pulling the carriage should’ve been startled by the tremors. Instead, Diz’s horses showed no fear, which was a relief.

“Even though controlling horses can be difficult, reducing the alertness towards monsters is appealing. Many of us who travel alongside the turtle find it attractive. Unless you’re riding on its back, your safety’s not guaranteed, so you need to stay cautious. And since the horses can’t move nonstop like turtles, we gradually get left behind.” -Diz

“But in any case, you’re used to intercity travels, aren’t you, Diz?” -Ur

“I’m a veteran, you know?” -Diz

For Nameless like Ur or Akane, staying in a city for long wasn’t an option. But for those who were not Nameless, intercity travels were a significant undertaking. Therefore, only those with pressing matters or pure curiosity would undertake such journeys. Even facing harassment that prevents the use of mobile fortresses, moving between cities is either due to very specific circumstances or an unusual inclination.

Even though Diz doesn’t seem to face financial constraints, why would they take on such risks?

《You wanna die? 》-Akane

“I don’t want to die, of course. But, it’s my job, so can’t be helped~.” -Diz

“So it’s because of work for the Golden Phoenix? Is that why you go as far as moving between cities?” -Ur

In this way, Diz owning their own carriage signified the experience of having to move between cities numerous times. The weariness of the carriage, and even the seasoned appearances of Dāru and Sūru, revealed this.

“Well, there are various reasons, you know. Many, many of them. Because…” -Diz

“Because?” -Ur

“I’m tired and very sleepy. So, good night.” -Diz

“Hah?” -Ur

By the time Ur looked back, Diz was sinking into Shizuku’s lap, closing her eyes as if melting. While Ur thought it might be an act, she didn’t move a muscle and gradually let out a soft snore..

“She’s managed to fall asleep.” -Shizuku

“She falls asleep way too easy.” -Ur

《She won’t wake up even if you pinch her nose. 》 -Akane

“Just let her sleep.” -Ur

And just like that, Diz was deep in slumber.

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The mobile fortress, the Island-Eating Turtle, did not move particularly quickly. With its six massive legs, it moved steadily and leisurely forward. The most significant feature of the Island-eating Turtle was the vast amount of cargo it could carry at once and the near impossibility of it being attacked by monsters or bandits.

【Outside the Human Survival Zone】

Overflowing with monsters from various dungeons and lawless outlaws, it was a demonic realm where humans would typically either force their horses to race through in escape, or cower in fear in the pitch darkness without a single light. Yet, the journey with the Island-eating Turtle was incredibly calm and relaxed.

Some were laughing and chatting with close friends. Energetic merchants displayed their prized goods to eager customers. Others dozed off under the gentle sun, using the sway of the turtle as a lullaby.

“Why is that woman so stubborn…!” -Rose

“Calm down, Rose-sama!”

“Shut up! Ahh, dammit! Even though, I’ve already said I’d pay double…!” -Rose

And there were those who unleashed their anger, taking it out on their butlers.

Rose Luckbird’s sharp, almost tearful exclamation was desperately held back by her servant, Rubus. For Rubus, Rose was like a daughter. He had served the Luckbird family for 20 years, and without a child of his own and with his wife already passed, Rose and her parents were his family.

Rose, when her parents were alive, was a gentle, thoughtful, and incredibly kind girl. She was the pride of Rubus, having received all the love from her parents.

But that changed when her parents were killed in a monster attack.

From then on, her life became a living hell.

After losing her parents, she was not met with sympathy but underhanded attacks. The Luckbird family ran a large guild called the “Bird of Fortune”. Over the years, they had acquired many customers in various cities. It was the culmination of many years of hard work. But to their rivals, they were a thorn in the side.

Seizing the opportunity, many with malicious intent set upon the now-alone Rose.

But Rose, facing a storm of jealousy, hostility, and greed, fought back with all her might.

Of course, she wasn’t alone. The dedicated subordinates who had supported her parents, the strong support from the commercial guilds they had long been associated with, and of course, Rubus himself, all stood by her side. Above all, her talent as a merchant, and more broadly as a leader, was exceptional. She initially struggled, but she quickly restored the Luckbird business.

However, she lost two significant things.

One was the Luckbird’s treasured artifact, the “Blazing Sword”. She had to reluctantly hand it over as collateral to the Golden Phoenix to cover the debts incurred from the products lost with her parents’ lives. Having been taught about its significance from a young age, parting with the family heirloom deeply wounded her. She’s been using somewhat aggressive methods to get it back.

And then, there was another thing.

“…That’s enough. Compile a list of guilds appearing in the next city. I’ll be checking the magic potions from A to D.” -Rose

“Rose-sama, you’ve been working nonstop. You should take a break.” -Rubus

“I’m fine, so just do your job.” -Rose

With evident irritation, Rose issued orders to her subordinates and headed to the cargo area on her own.

Another thing she lost was her smile.

When her parents were alive, she was a girl who laughed often. She cried a lot too but was always smiling. Now, it was different. She was filled with anger, painfully so.

“My lady…” -Rubus

Rubus lamented his own powerlessness that had led her to this state.

Still, she had become calmer than before. She wasn’t laughing like in the past, but time was gradually healing her wounds.

He had to support her with all his might to see her smile again.

With renewed determination, Rubus began the tasks he was assigned.

Little did they know, a moment was approaching when all of Rubus’s concerns, Rose’s anger, and worries would all be reduced to ashes.