Akatsuki Translations

Having confirmed Lynne’s intentions and being apparently satisfied, the headmistress returned to the academy. It wasn’t so simple for the others to disband. There were still many things they wanted to ask and confirm.

“But Diz and Akane, how did you manage to get to the deep layer so quickly?” -Ur

Ur, who was taken away by the dragon and forcefully plunged into the deep layers, seriously thought it was “over”. If Diz hadn’t come to the rescue so quickly, it really might have been. While grateful for the help, Ur didn’t understand how they were able to arrive at the scene so quickly.

“Well, we were originally in the deep layers anyway.” -Diz

《We were there for work. 》-Akane

The stimulation of the sin dragon.

As a part of her activities as the 【Seven Heavens】, she quickly dove into the deep layers of the Dungeon of Sin upon receiving the information. The activation of the dragon was an emergency that concerned the survival of the city itself. That’s why she urgently called for help from the other 【Seven Heavens】.

“So, imagine my shock when I thought I had found 【Lust】, only to find Ur and Shizuku, who should have been in the upper layers, there, about to be tormented to death.”

《My heart almost stopped 》-Akane

“It was out of my hands.” -Ur

While sympathizing with Diz and Akane’s shock and stress, there was nothing they could do about it. Ur hadn’t wanted any of this to happen either. Of course, Diz understood that too. And laughed.

Laughing, then erasing her smile and narrowing her eyes.

“So, Ur, do you understand why Lust attacked Shizuku?” -Diz                                                                                            

As Gronzon was trying to ask earlier. Diz was also confirming. But she seems to already have a hunch about the cause. Well, that makes sense. She understands that Ur is just an ordinary person with no special background.

The only person who might be hiding something unknown is Shizuku.

So, what to do? Ur, seeing Diz’s serious expression as one of the 【Seven Heavens】, hesitated for a moment, but lying here would be pointless as this woman would see through it. Besides, Ur didn’t even know if lying would be for Shizuku’s benefit.

“They said they had business with Shizuku, but I don’t know anything more than that. Besides, Shizuku was almost unconscious at that time. There was no conversation between her and the dragon.” -Ur

“So, we have no choice but to confirm with her.” -Diz

Diz quietly watched her breathing in her sleep. Her expression still held a trace of severity. That’s how important this case was. The fact that ‘the dragon moves” is a significant issue.

Seeing her like this, Lynne made a slightly puzzled face and tilted her head.

“Dragons… But I haven’t heard much about dragon problems. Of course, I know they are a threat.” -Lynne

“Ah, living in a City of Sin, your knowledge might be limited. But Ur, you’re different, right?” -Diz

Upon being asked, “somewhat,” Ur replies, nodding. Being “Nameless” and unable to settle in the city, and thus wandering from place to place, he knows something about the threat of dragons. It’s not so much knowledge as it is experience.

“For starters, I’ve seen the remnants of what were supposed to be cities.” -Ur

The City of Sin and its surrounding satellite cities. As a Nameless wanderer moving outside the “human survival zone” in a world overrun with monsters and dungeons, his basic mode of travel is moving from city to city.

And because of this, he sometimes sees them. Cities that have ended.

“I’ve seen a country that had turned to complete ash, whether consumed or burned, I don’t know. Someone said it was ‘the dragon’ that came.” -Ur

“The whole city? Wasn’t there the 【Barrier of the Sun God】?” -Lynne

“Dragons ‘eat’ barriers, an old acquaintance told me.” -Ur

The 【Barrier of the Sun God】, the greatest miracle of the Sun God Zerudia. It is recognized by everyone that humans are still able to live on the earth overrun with monsters from the dungeon because of this barrier.

And the dragons, they consume it.

Diz raises her hands in a gesture of helplessness.

“Is it because undermines the dignity of the One and Only God?” -Lynne

“Is that why there’s not much talk about the threat of dragons?” -Ur

“There’s also the fact that information doesn’t travel much between cities. And more simply…” -Diz

…Few people know about the threat of dragons and still live to tell the tale.

Lynne slightly swallowed her saliva.

“What about… that place. The forbidden area, 【Black Flame Desert】?” -Ur

“――You didn’t actually go there, did you, Ur?” -Diz

“That damn old man tried to go, but I knocked him out with a punch.” -Ur

“That’s… good. Really, it is.” -Diz

Lynne frowns again.

“I’m sorry, I’ve never heard that term even at the academy.” -Lynne

“If it wasn’t forbidden, it wouldn’t be taboo. Spreading it intentionally would be punishable by Grand Federation law.” -Diz

【Black Flame Desert】.

A forbidden area that emerged about three hundred years ago due to a dragon disaster in the 【Dungeon of Sin, Wrath】.

The Dragon of Wrath that emerged from the Dungeon of Sin instantly incinerated the City of Sin, Wrath, and not only its surrounding satellite cities but also the entire surrounding area with its “black flames.”

Ultimately, at the sacrifice of half of the 【Seven Heavens】 of that time, the dragon was pushed back into the dungeon. However, as a result, the area surrounding the 【City of Sin, Wrath】 turned into a desert where not a single lifeform exists, not even monsters could survive.

And the black flames are still burning to this day.

“…Three hundred years ago, right?” -Ur

“Yes. And it’s still burning with an enormous curse. Just looking at the flickering of the black flames will cause you to receive the curse of wrath, making it one of the most cursed places in this world.”  -Diz

Lynne now understood why it was forbidden and why she had never heard about it in Lautaro. Such a formidable and horrific cursed object, if known, would shake the faith in the Sun God. Moreover, there might be those who would try to obtain the cursed relic. It’s something that must be avoided from becoming public knowledge.

“However, wrath is still the lesser evil… For instance, if Lust, which Ur encountered this time, had gotten out, it would have been far worse.” -Diz

“How so?” -Ur

“It would have gone out to ‘reproduce’.” -Diz

“…Lust would?” -Ur

“Lust.” -Diz

Ur imagined the Sin Dragon of Lust reproducing explosively. He pictured the scene where the newborns were the dragon puppies they had encountered in the fortress, and imagined them flooding the earth.

He shivered.

“…That’s bad.” -Ur

“Several cities eaten, tens of thousands consumed, and yet it’s still considered better than other 【Dragon Disasters】.” -Diz

It was clear why Gronzon and Diz were so sensitive. Everyone living in this world faces the risk of their world collapsing at any moment.

Hearing this, Lynne quietly bowed her head.

“I was lacking in awareness and knowledge. It’s embarrassing.” -Lynne

“As I said earlier, people in the city are intentionally kept unaware. You only start dealing with dragons as a priest from the rank of ‘Gran’. Don’t worry about it.” -Diz

“Well, that’s why I wanted to properly hear the story, but,” Diz looks at Shizuku, who is still sleeping peacefully. “Can’t be helped,” Diz shrugged.

“As grandma said earlier, you’ll probably be interrogated by the Adventurer’s Guild later. I think a high priest of 【Spirit of Truth & Lies, Judge】 will accompany them.” -Diz

“Well, it can’t be helped, I’ll answer properly.” -Ur

While poking Akane’s cheek, who was playfully nuzzling his hand, Ur nods. Having been reawakened to the threat of dragons, he couldn’t refuse to cooperate. Besides, refusing would surely result in punishment.

“Well, let’s move on to the next topic.” -Diz

“There’s more?” -Ur

“This is the main event for you.” -Diz

《The story of how  Nii-tan’s “eye” was gouged out》-Akane

Hearing Akane’s brutal words, Ur finally remembered about his left eye. He suddenly realized that something was covering his left eye. He thought it was a bandage, but the touch was different. Something made of leather was wrapped around his head. He looked at his reflection in the window glass nearby.

There he saw himself, wearing a black leather eyepatch with golden embroidery over his left eye.

“…Wow, that’s intense.” -Ur

Ur was taken aback by his own appearance.