Akatsuki Translations

For Jain, the White Serpent, the species known as “geniuses” was a familiar sight.

He is a silver-ranked adventurer. And the realm of silver rank is, more or less, a place inhabited by those who possess exceptional abilities. Not only do they excel in bravery and magic, but they are also handpicked for their skills, equipped with rare gear, and have overcome numerous dungeons to deliver true magic cores to humanity.

Undeniable heroes. That’s what silver rank means.

In fact, his subordinate Rabin is also a genius. She possesses【Intuition】at a level close to precognition, 【Super hearing】that can detect distant enemies, and nimble and free body movements like a monster when killing enemies. She has the sensibility to grasp a way out without fearing even her own death. She is undoubtedly a genius.

So even when he encounters a genius, he is not surprised. Because he’s used to seeing them.

And he can immediately recognize those with outstanding talent. Because he’s used to seeing them.

Therefore, when he witnessed Shizuku of the 【Walkers】, Jain was not that surprised.

Certainly, he was a little surprised. Compared to the geniuses Jain knew, her brilliance was not just on par, but far surpassed them. He had accurately assessed that she would quickly climb to silver rank, and perhaps even reach beyond that.

However, Jain’s interest in her ended there.

In the first place, even if they were both adventurers, they were ultimately just strangers from different guilds. What did it matter if she was a monster-like genius? He was not so immature as to compare himself to her and be tormented by an inferiority complex.

So, he didn’t have much to think about the unremarkable, unimpressive boy next to her either.

If anything, it was sympathy.

Poor thing. Living next to such a monster-like genius at that young age must be quite difficult. It was pity and sympathy. In other words, he didn’t even bother to pay attention to him.

“What business do you have, Jain-dono?” -Ur

Sitting on the chair in the center of the executive office on the top floor of the “temporary temple,” with the genius child Shizuku on his left and the Sun Knight Echelle on his right for some reason, Jain found himself significantly revising his perceptions as he viewed Ur who looked at him with a stern expression.

“Jain-san. Look at that, it’s a harem.” -Rabin

“I’ll punch ya if you open yer mouth before I give permission, Rabin.” -Jain

“…” -Rabin

Seeing Rabin put both hands over her mouth, Jain looked at Ur again.

Jain had come here to negotiate cooperation with the 【Walkers】.

He was aware of the situation where they were surrounded by the sword of the Temple, the Sun Knights. That’s why he was preparing to escape. Calling out to Ur and the others was “just to be extra cautious.”

However, it seems that the man in front of him has become more than just an “insurance policy.”

“We are also in a very troublesome situation and may not be able to accommodate your request, but please forgive us.” -Ur

“Well, I can see that. What happened to her?” -Jain

Jain frowned as he looked at Echelle clinging to Ur’s right arm. Jain’s assessment of Echelle was that she was an arrogant and troublesome Sun Knight, whose only ability was to scream and shout. But what about her current state?

“…” -Echelle

First of all, she doesn’t speak. Before, she would erupt immediately upon seeing Jain, but now she doesn’t shout at all. She doesn’t even glance at him. Her eyes are red and swollen as if she had been crying. She looks haggard, giving the impression of being thinner than before, but in contrast, there is an unusually strong light in her eyes. They are glaring.

And she is clinging to Ur’s monstrous right arm. It seemed as if she wouldn’t let go even a single finger.

It’s strange. It’s as if she’s become a different person.

“…How’d ya deceive her?” -Jain

“A lot happened.” -Ur

He had a bitter look on his face. It seems that a lot of things had really happened.

And there was no doubt that this little brat had “become” the center of this matter.

Jain neither underestimated nor overestimated the 【Walkers】brought by the Sun Knight.

Although he was too young, his movements when facing monsters weren’t bad. He seemed to have more experience than the “lukewarm” copper ranks who just wasted time. If he had detailed information about the dungeon, Jain expected that he would be able to reach the depths of Uuga.

That’s why, when asked for information, Jain (unusual for him) gave him all the information he had gathered as it was (though he charged for it).

The aim was simple. To have him explore the center of this incident in place of Jain and the others.

There was no doubt that the Dragon-Devoured City of Uuga was an extremely convenient hunting ground for the 【White Serpent】with no competitors, but at the same time, he was well aware that this place was “different” compared to normal dungeons.

The moment he decided to make a quick buck with magic stones in a suspicious dungeon that appeared suddenly, he was prepared for the risk, but that didn’t mean he would silently accept any troubles that might occur. It wouldn’t hurt to know the mysteries of Uuga.

And it was fine if he wasn’t the one to explore the mysteries. That was Jain’s judgment.

It seems that Jain’s aim had gone well.

“So, to confirm again, what’s your business here?” -Ur

To be precise, it should be said that it had gone too well.

Ur, sitting in the chair, asks with a look of observing Jain. It’s a look of composure. The composure of someone who has grasped himself and the situation surrounding him.

In the hall on the first floor, injured attendants are groaning, and uninjured attendants are annoyingly wailing. Outside the temporary temple, the Nameless are also in confusion. Although they are often exposed to threats, the fact that they are surrounded and their means of escape are cut off due to their strength of not having a permanent place to live is causing them agitation.

They were attacked by the Sun Knights. The attendants, the servants of the Temple, were killed by the sword of the Temple. Confusion is natural. Even Jain, to be honest, doubted his ears when he heard the information. He thought John was connected with “the Temple people,” but he didn’t expect him to be connected with the temple itself, not just a part of the temple.

That’s what it means that the assailants carried the crest of the Sun Knights.

Yes, even Jain, who was connected to John, who had been working behind the scenes in this case, was surprised. The current confusion is extremely natural. Nevertheless,

“…” -Ur

The brat in front of him doesn’t seem to be hiding any agitation at all. In other words, he knows. That the Sun Knights have gone crazy and killed the attendants. And even why such a heinous act occurred.

It was convenient and inconvenient.

It’s convenient that he has information that Jain doesn’t know. It means that he has thoroughly gathered information on Jain’s behalf, just as he intended.

However, it was inconvenient that he “knew too much” information that Jain didn’t know. Currently, they have complete control of the initiative. Jain had planned to control them by holding the John incident, but it seems he was naive.

–Should I switch gears?

Jain reset his thinking.

He abandoned the idea of his initial plan to manipulate their movements using his information as bait. On the contrary, even if he ends up being used by them, he must extract the information. Rationally, he discarded his pride.

“I came here to request cooperation and exchange information. It’s a crazy situation. If we can help each other, we should, right?” -Jain

“Yeah, that’s reasonable. So, what do you want to know?” -Ur

Is it out of composure or simply because he isn’t enough of a schemer to straightforwardly state “I know all the information you want to know” without hiding anything?

When someone takes an attitude of complete composure, it makes you want to pinch their nose and pull it up, but you restrain yourself. It’s not like you came here to pick a fight with this brat.

“Then, I’ll ask, do ya have any prospects fer escaping from this damned encirclement?” -Jain

“I do.” -Ur

To be honest, I’m aware that it was a question that was quite unreasonable. It’s a story that if you understand that, you won’t have any trouble, and it should be like that, but ――――What did this brat in front of me just say? “I do?”

“Did’ya just say ya do?” -Jain

“Yeah. It’s not a plan with certainty, though. But the plan itself exists now.” -Ur

There seemed to be no lies in the eyes of Ur in front of him. In the first place, he didn’t think there was any point in them deceiving him. Then,

“…Heh, so can ya tell me what kind of plan that is? Depending on the details, I’d like to help out and share in the leftovers.” -Jain

“I don’t mind explaining it, but you’ll have to enter into a contract to prevent leaks.” -Ur

“Well, that makes sense. In this situation.” -Jain

Currently, there’s no telling who might be eavesdropping where. Or there’s no guarantee that someone might try to sell the information to the surrounding Sun Knights. Jain was convinced.

“Then, I’ll explain, but can I ask you one thing before that?” -Ur

“What is it?” -Jain

“Tell me your purpose, your wish.” -Ur

At first, Jain couldn’t understand the meaning of Ur’s question and tilted his head. His brain rejected comprehension because suddenly, words that were too unsuitable for this situation came flying.

“…What the hell’re ya talkin’ about?” -Jain

“Tell me the reason why you were gathering magic stones at such a fishy place, even at the risk.” -Ur

He understood what he was saying, but Jain furrowed his brow.

“…What is this? Do I have to tell you to participate in that escape plan?” -Jain

“No, I just thought it might save the trouble of negotiation later. If you don’t want to say it, that’s fine. We’ll just enter into a contract for information security and start explaining.” -Ur

Jain pursed his lips.

It’s not something you would readily talk about your life’s purpose, even at a drinking party. The age of openly boasting about grand ambitions has long passed. To be told to talk about it now to a brat a generation younger than you, what kind of shame play is that?

“Well, isn’t it fine, Jain-san? It’s not like it’s something to hide, right?” -Rabin

Then, for some reason, Rabin butted in. When Jain raised his fist, she nimbly distanced herself.

“I told’ya I’d punch ya.” -Jain

“But, isn’t it a pain to probe each other’s intentions? If we’re going to go along with this guy Ur’s plan, we’re definitely in it together.” -Rabin

Jain was surprised at Rabin’s extreme way of speaking, though he tried not to show it on his face. Most of the time when Rabin makes a declaration, it’s when her 【Intuition】is at work.

A skill developed as an adventurer. A sixth sense that has grown apart from the five senses. She has a conviction that borders on precognition.

A conviction that they will end up sharing their fate with these brats in front of them.

“…We, the original members of the White Serpent, are from the 【Wandering City】.” -Jain

After a brief pause, Jain began to speak as if he had given up.