Akatsuki Translations

Temporary Temple, in the office.

“I am against it,” declared Kalkara, opposing Echelle’s decision to join the exploration of the dungeon. She had already been against Echelle accompanying the initial exploration of the dungeon, and now she was strongly opposed to her joining the full-scale exploration.

With eyes holding back strong anger, she glared mainly at Ur. Beside her, Echelle looked to them with eyes seeking help. It became clear why Echelle had called them here in the first place. She wanted them to somehow persuade Kalkara.

“The request to accompany was not from us, but from Echelle-sama.” -Ur

“Yes, yes, that’s right. Kalkara. I requested it. I’m uneasy with just these guys.” -Echelle

“Echelle-sama,” Kalkara interjected sharply, causing Echelle to shrink back. Although Echelle held a higher official rank, it seemed as if their roles were reversed in this situation.

“You are tasked with the construction of this city by the imperial command of the 【City of Sin, Gradol】. You should leave the exploration of the dungeon to these adventurers. Crawling around the bottom of the earth, in the abode of the evil gods, is not the duty of a priestess.” -Kalkara

Kalkara’s argument was completely reasonable, and Ur had no counterargument. He was fine with Echelle giving up on the idea.

“…No.”  -Echelle

However, Echelle didn’t appear to back down in response to her observation. Ur understood that this would likely be the case.

During that initial exploration, she had exposed herself to such embarrassment, faced danger, and ultimately pleaded with Ur to accompany her, even swearing obedience. She wasn’t someone with half-hearted determination.

“I’ll do it. I can do it…!!” -Echelle

Her voice was strained, echoing a desperation unbecoming of her privileged class. The reason for her drastic change was unknown to Ur, but perhaps Kalkara had some insight. After a brief pause, she muttered softly,

“…You will tarnish your father’s reputation.” -Kalkara

“….gh” -Echelle

Echelle’s face turned pale at that. She looked down, choking on her words, unable to form a coherent response.

“You’ve already tarnished it, in my opinion.” -Shizuku

Intervened Shizuku before Kalkara could continue. Shizuku then turned to Echelle.

“I am not a priestess, nor am I well-versed in the household affairs of those with official ranks, but the collapse of an under-construction city, the damage caused by a dragon to the evacuated labor force. In terms of tainting one’s name, it seems irreparable.” -Shizuku

It was an unmistakable blow. Echelle sank even further. Though her face was hidden, she was probably crying. Rather than being delighted by the sudden reinforcement, Kalkara seemed puzzled by the onslaught.

Ur thought inwardly that his suspicion was correct. He understood from experience. She wasn’t cornering the opponent like this because she wanted to help Kalkara, not at all.

” ――Therefore, you must wash away your own disgrace.” -Shizuku

Shizuku lifted Echelle just as she had hit rock bottom. Without giving Kalkara a chance to intervene, she continued.

“Keeping silent out of fear of further failures might prevent additional mistakes, but it doesn’t erase the ones that have already accumulated.” -Shizuku

“…” -Echelle

“There’s no one to erase your failures for you. Your mistakes are your own.” -Shizuku

“…Yes, they are.” -Echelle

“You, and only you, must take action. You are your own savior.” -Shizuku

“Yes…!!” -Echelle

Echelle stood up. Her face was pale, twisted in fear, with an expression of desperation. However, her posture was strong, exuding an overwhelming intensity. It was the determination of someone who, cornered and on the brink of death, had resolved to fight fiercely until the end.

“I’ll do it! I’ll prove it! Otherwise, I’m finished!!” -Echelle

Crying and trembling, she shouted her resolute words. Shizuku smiled at this, while Kalkara covered her face with her hand, looking bitter.

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Night, At the temporary city’s constructed lodging facility

” ――――So? What was your intention, Shizuku?” -Ur

“Are you angry?” -Shizuku

“I am angry about you arbitrarily forming a master-servant contract between Echelle and I.” -Ur

Shizuku was sitting in seiza, while Ur, with his arms crossed, stood in front of her. Shizuku had voluntarily assumed this position upon their arrival. Ur wanted to say that it wasn’t necessary to assume such a deferential posture right away.

“First of all, why did you create such a contract? It was bound to provoke resistance.” -Ur

The idea of Echelle, a title holder, expressing absolute obedience to the Nameless Ur, even if it’s temporary, would naturally provoke resistance. There’s a risk of being penalized for insubordination or something similar. After repelling the dragon, it was incredibly puzzling why she didn’t lash out, to the point where it was almost unbearable.

“I think it’ll be fine,” Shizuku asserted confidently.

“Why do you think so?” -Ur

“Because she ‘wanted to be ordered around.’” -Shizuku

“‘Wanted to be,’ not ‘wants to be?’” -Ur

“Yes.” -Shizuku

Ur recalled Echelle who had parted ways after saying she needed to prepare the necessary equipment for exploring the dungeon. He always pictured her with a face full of anger, constantly shouting at him. It didn’t quite make sense that she seemed to be seeking orders. But it wasn’t that it didn’t make sense at all.

“Well, she certainly isn’t cut out to be a leader…” -Ur

Despite being born into a privileged class, Ur couldn’t help but think that Echelle was incredibly clumsy in handling people.

No matter what instructions she gave, she always shouted and screamed without any tact. She behaved like a tantrum-throwing child. No matter how much power she held, behaving in a way that made others uncomfortable would inevitably elicit discomfort from those in lower positions.

The result of this was the attitude of people like Jain towards her. As things stood, she was not the type who could become a good boss.

“But why does that lead to ‘wanting to be ordered around?’” -Ur

“Currently, she’s in charge of the construction of this satellite city. That’s a lot of responsibility for someone her age. No one else will shoulder that burden for her.” -Shizuku

“…So, she’s tired of the responsibility?” -Ur

“It seems so. She was emotionally unstable. Probably at her limit.” -Shizuku

Anger, tears, screams, fear – if these behaviors were the result of being driven to the brink by stress, then Echelle was indeed on the edge.

“That’s why. When you were giving orders in the dungeon, she was relieved.” -Shizuku

“She finds relief in not having to think for herself, simply obeying the orders of others and entrusting responsibility to them,” Shizuku said. “Her manner of relief was very blatant,” she added. Ur had no opportunity to confirm Echelle’s state at that time, but if she said so, it must be true. Her insight into human observation was truly remarkable.

“I don’t deny that there are people like that… but then why me?”  -Ur

If it’s about giving orders, it should be fine for it to be Shizuku instead of Ur. Why did they establish a temporary master-servant relationship between him and her? If it’s because he’s the guild leader, he’d have to accept it, but he wanted to confirm the reason.

In response to the question, Shizuku nodded seriously.

“I think it’s because an order from a man resonates more with her.”  -Shizuku

“That’s sleazy.” -Ur

“There are various types of submissiveness, but she is the type who is influenced by appearances.” -Shizuku

“That’s incredibly sleazy.” -Ur

Ur grabbed Shizuku’s temple and twisted it with his fist. Shizuku let out a whine of pain.

“So why are you so intent on taking Echelle with us?” -Ur

Ur asked, which was his main concern. Simply put, taking Echelle to the dungeon doesn’t seem like a wise decision. Although the contract with her might prevent major accidents like the first exploration,

“There are considerations, concerns, and calculations involved.” -Shizuku

“Hmm…?” Ur prompted her to continue. Shizuku nodded.

“Firstly, it’s about fulfilling her wishes. If she wants to achieve results and prove herself, I want to help her fulfill that.” -Shizuku

“Well, I do question why a commander wants to go to the field herself, but…” -Ur

However, Ur could understand. Fulfilling someone else’s wishes was a fundamental action for Shizuku. He had expected as much.

“And the concerns?” -Ur

“If left alone, she might act recklessly on her own.” -Shizuku

“Ah… better keep an eye on her, huh.” -Ur

As Shizuku said, Echelle was undoubtedly pushed to her mental limits. It made sense to keep her within reach rather than leaving her out of sight.

“And the calculation?” -Ur

“She has circumstances that require her to take risks. She genuinely believes she must face life-threatening situations.” -Shizuku

Ur initially didn’t grasp Shizuku’s point but soon realized what she meant.

“…So, you’re saying she might become an ally?” -Ur

“It’s rare to find someone willing to join us in our reckless endeavors. Though it might be temporary, having an additional companion is always beneficial.” -Shizuku

One of the concerns for Ur’s guild, or rather, party was the shortage of companions willing to join their hazardous adventures. Anyone with common sense would hesitate to accompany Ur’s expeditions.

“But… is she useful?” -Ur

“Consider her as something other than a client. What do you think?” -Shizuku

“…” -Ur

Ur thought for a moment about Echelle’s actions, then nodded.

“If she calms down… well, she might be within acceptable limits. Everyone fails initially.” -Ur

The situation had become too complicated, but if he considered the previous exploration as a newcomer’s first combat experience, it wasn’t as hopeless as he initially thought.

“I also put a collar on her. Of course, there is the basic risk of bringing along an inexperienced newcomer…”  -Shizuku

“Well, I’ll cover for her. I’m the guild leader. Supporting the newbies is part of the job.” -Ur

Saying this, Ur sorted out the information he had confirmed and nodded. Although everything was chaotic, he didn’t think her judgment was wrong.

“Understood, I’m convinced.” -Ur

“I’m glad.” -Shizuku

“However, I’ll continue lecturing you about using the emergency situation to your advantage.” -Ur

“My.” -Shizuku

“It’s not ‘my’. And one more thing.” -Ur

“Yes?” -Shizuku

“About that dragon ――――” -Ur

Thus, after exchanging several opinions, their conversation for the day came to an end.