Akatsuki Translations

Two months have passed since the slime disaster occurred in the City of Sin, Gradol.

The major incident, which resulted in the deaths of many priests and attendants, naturally threw Gradol into great confusion. It was already the worst-case scenario that the city’s rulers had died, but they had also transformed into grotesque, amorphous monsters. Some of those who directly witnessed the gruesome sight were so shocked that they were unable to speak for a while.

However, it’s been two months. Two months was enough time to confront the terrible chaos.

In particular, the recovery of the city was very swift, as the damage was concentrated within the temple and there was little damage to the citizens. Of course, they too were pained by the fact that an incident had occurred at the temple, which could be called the spiritual support of their hearts. However, that doesn’t mean they can wallow in sorrow forever. Whether they lament, grieve, or despair, tomorrow will come, there is work to be done, and they cannot live if they don’t do it.

In order to live, they naturally returned to their previous lives as if nothing had changed.

On the other hand, it was the Temple that was forced to undergo great confusion and change.

After all, the current Shinra, the Caraleigh family, had transformed into slimes and most of them had died. Furthermore, the priests and attendants who were deeply involved with the Caraleigh family had also suffered the same fate.

Moreover, it was clear that those who had undergone this horrific transformation were not mere victims, but had made a mistake by connecting with dangerous individuals. It was an unspoken understanding that corruption was rampant in Gradol and that the Caraleigh family was connected to shady people, even though no one could openly point it out.

It would have been easy to dismiss those who had turned into monsters and died as getting what they deserved.

However, even among those who did not become slimes in this commotion, there were many who were not confident in their own safety. There were far too many people with dark secrets in the temple where corruption was chronically widespread.

As a result, some even became fearful and began to shut themselves in, afraid that they too might transform into hideous monsters like before.

The one who controlled the chaotic temple was the Seven Heavens’ 【Hero】 who arrived immediately after the disturbance.

Originally, Gradol’s prejudice against the Hero, who could be called the attendant of Proudia’s Wise Heavenly King, was heavy and deep. The majority opinion in Gradol up until now was that it would be better to rely on even a filthy Nameless adventurer than to borrow her hand. However, now there was no room to brandish such ideology, and Gradol accepted her instructions and management as a representative of the 【Wise Heavenly King】.

A month passed, and just as the functions of the spiritual power substitute and the national governing organization were beginning to recover, it was decided that a new family would be crowned as the Shinra of the Gradol Temple. Originally, the appointment of a new Shinra should have required various handovers, procedures, and ceremonies, but the 【Hero】 consulted with the Wise Heavenly King of Proudia that the current situation where there was no Shinra family was a problem, and it was hastily decided.

“I am Lacretia Shinra Gorian. In accordance with the orders of the Wise Heavenly King, I have been appointed to the position of Shinra. I look forward to working with everyone from now on.” -Lacretia

The gazes directed at Lacretia Shinra Gorian, who first made this declaration in the midst of the city management meeting in the temple, were half welcoming and half reluctantly hostile.

It was a natural flow of events for the Gorian family, who had contributed to Gradol for as long as the Caraleigh family and had a high affinity with spirits, to be appointed as Shinra.

Furthermore, they had a bad relationship with the Caraleigh family, and as a result, they were almost unscathed in the recent commotion, which dramatically increased their influence within the temple.

“First of all, I would like to express my condolences to the priests and attendants who lost their lives in this incident. Let us pray that they will all be welcomed into the presence of the Sun God in good health.” -Lacretia

“What a thing to say…”

“There’s no way they’ll be welcomed. Those people who were involved in heresy…”

Ignoring the whispers exchanged in secret, Lacretia Shinra Gorian, who offered prayers, was the female head of the Gorian family. She was a human in her mid-50s, and her sagging cheeks due to aging also earned her the nickname “Horned Toad.” However, no one could directly call her that.

In the midst of the confusion, it was she who promptly accepted the instructions of the Hero, Diz Gran Fenex, and together brought order to the chaos of the Gradol Temple. No one would doubt her ability that had led her to the top of the temple at this time.

“Now, let me explain our future policy again.” -Lacretia

She dismisses the continuing whispers with a sharp word. It was clear to everyone’s eyes that her leadership was necessary in the current Gradol Temple, which had suffered many major losses in the midst of turmoil.

“Currently, the number of priests that Gradol has lost is far too many, and I don’t need to explain to you that the number of priests lost is directly linked to the decline of national power.” -Lacretia

The power of spirits is utilized in all aspects of city management, operation, food production, and barrier maintenance, performing numerous miracles without going through complex processes or consumption. The number of priests who can execute this and the number of attendants and citizens who maintain their power is no exaggeration to say that it is the national power.

The power that Gradol has lost this time is great. No matter how much they were corrupt priests who allowed wrongdoing to spread, a priest is a priest. Just their presence alone makes a difference in their influence.

“What has been lost cannot be regained immediately. There are things we can do, such as encouraging attendants to take the promotion exam to become priests, but it will take time. We will be forced to scale back some of the projects we are currently undertaking. In particular, the urban expansion plans that were repeatedly carried out under the Caraleigh family’s sovereignty will require a significant reduction in scale.” -Lacretia

“But what about the cities that are already under construction? We have already invested a great deal of money and human resources.”

“Unfortunately, Gradol does not have the leeway to spare the invested funds and take on more debt.” -Lacretia

At the words told in no uncertain terms, the priests groan, and some even turn pale. Many of them had invested in the satellite city expansion plan carried out by the Caraleigh family. Some of them may be uneasy. However, there was also no room to refute Lacretia’s point.

What awaits at the end of pouring in more money is bankruptcy. Investment is something that is done by those with plenty of room in their pockets. It is not a gamble for the poor.

Confirming that there are no objections, Lacretia clears her throat. The priests look up.

“And apart from those, there is an entity that we must urgently consider how to deal with among ourselves.” -Lacretia

The story up to this point was largely a predetermined course. And she was implicitly telling them that the real discussion was about to begin. With a sharp gaze as if looking at a place far away, not here, she continues her words.

“Regarding the operation of the former satellite city, now 【Anti-Supergiant-class Mobile Fortress City, Dragon-Devoured Uuga】.” -Lacretia

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

【Gradol Temple】, Executive Office.

“…Honestly, everyone is so carefree!” -Lacretia

“Hey, good work.” -Diz

The one who greeted Lacretia as she returned to the luxurious executive office was Diz Gran Fenex, the Seven Heavens’ golden【Hero】. Sitting on a chair unnecessarily studded with jewels, she waved her hand lightly to greet Lacretia.

Lacretia, who had been somewhat displeased at the previous meeting, raised her eyebrows sharply upon seeing the Hero.

“Even if you are the 【Hero】, It is troubling for you to enter a Shinra’s office without permission.” -Lacretia

“I just came to deliver the necessary documents. It would be too stimulating if I walked around the temple.” -Diz

“I wonder if you could extend that consideration to me as well.” -Lacretia

The Hero smoothly brushed off Lacretia’s sarcasm.

Her attitude towards the Hero was harsh. In the first place, her family, the Gorian family, was an old priestly family second only to the Caraleighs, and before the Uuga incident, they were uncooperative and even hostile towards Proudia.

They were also at odds with the Caraleigh family and on bad terms, however, the enemy of an enemy is not necessarily a friend.

Despite this, the reason Lacretia accepted her was that she understood that the Hero, who was in a position to wield great power as the representative of the Wise Heavenly King, was indispensable. If the chaos had been left unchecked, there was a possibility that there might have been more deaths than in the slime incident. It could be said that it was a bitter choice for her as well.

And even if it was bitter, Lacretia was the kind of person who would take that choice without hesitation if it was necessary.

“If we are to cooperate in the future, I would appreciate it if you could refrain from carelessly interfering in Gradol’s politics under the authority of the Wise Heavenly King. You are still tolerable, but…” -Lacretia

“Sorry, but I’m the lowest rank among the 【Seven Heavens】, and no one listens to me.” -Diz

“That’s what I’m saying, do something about the weakness of your relationships.” -Lacretia

Lacretia scolded the laughing Hero.

The scene resembled a frivolous student and a scolding teacher. In fact, she had once served as an instructor in the Temple to teach apprentice priests how to handle the power of spirits. Her strict and unforgiving guidance made her feared by most of her students.

In terms of her duties within the Temple, it was a sinecure with no opportunity to be politically involved. Because she was opposed to the Caraleigh family, she had been pushed into such a position.

Considering that, it was an incredible promotion, but she could not bring herself to welcome the mass suicide of the Caraleigh family.

“Even though the Caraleigh family was the only one that descended from the former royal bloodline, what were they thinking, irresponsibly leaving the stage?” -Lacretia

“There are survivors, right?” -Diz

“The lower ranks who couldn’t even get involved in this suspicious plan, and the beloved child of an evil spirit? In any case, without the blessing of the earth spirit, it’s impossible for them to contribute to the production city.” -Lacretia

“On top of that, that beloved child of an evil spirit is the keeper of the control seal for 【Uuga】.” -Diz

“This is giving me a headache…” -Lacretia

She frowned as if she was genuinely annoyed. However, it was a much more discreet attitude than the other priests of Gradol who were openly saying, “It would have been better if they had died.”

“But you’re going to 【Uuga】 directly, right? To somehow make use of it.”  -Diz

When asked, Lacretia nodded reluctantly.

“I have no choice but to face it if I think about Gradol’s future, right? And yet the other priests are backing down…” -Lacretia

A supergiant-class mobile fortress the size of a city, equipped with strategic functions. If that became a city belonging to Gradol, at least in form, they couldn’t ignore it. Not when there were immense wealth and risks that it would bring.

In these two months, the “activities” performed by Uuga have undoubtedly benefited Gradol. However, even so, many in the Gradol Temple view Uuga itself as dangerous. There are many voices fearing this unprecedented anomaly.

In that case, they need to see and hear directly, not just rely on indirect information, and discern it for themselves.

“You’re absolutely right… Oh well, Ur seems to be in for a hard time.” -Diz

“…May I hear a little about that ‘Nameless’ person?” -Lacretia

Of course, she was also aware of the names of the adventurers who were at the center of this Uuga incident. If she was going to visit Uuga, she would probably have to meet him face-to-face and negotiate. Her counterpart was Nameless and far below her in status. Even so, she was not the type to neglect preparations for a potential negotiation partner.

Dis responded to that question with a slightly amused look.

“Fundamentally, he’s an honest boy. His desires are small, but his will is strong. If you’re going to deal with him, there’s no need to take a complicated stance. If you respond to his sincerity with sincerity, there won’t be any trouble.”

“What if you don’t face him with sincerity?” -Lacretia

“He’ll sense it and keep his distance. He won’t even think of trying to take advantage of it.” -Diz

“…That’s an unusual way of being for a Nameless. It’s a textbook way of protecting oneself.” -Lacretia

“…The person who educated him must have known he was clumsy.” -Diz

The Hero who spoke accepted Lacretia’s praise with delight. As if it were her own business.

That Nameless person seemed to be a “favorite” of hers to that extent.

Lacretia couldn’t quite understand having such strong feelings for a Nameless person. In the first place, she had hardly any involvement with “Nameless” people. Not only her, but most of those who received official positions from the temple lived comfortably in the city every day. Unless they went out of their way to venture out, there were hardly any opportunities to interact with the Nameless people who came and went between the outside and inside of the city.

Therefore, until she heard her story, there was a part of her that looked down on them quite a bit. However, from what the Hero said, it seemed that way of thinking was not good. Lacretia gradually revised her evaluation of a Nameless man named Ur from the Hero’s story.

“And then…”  -Diz

“And then?” -Lacretia

“…No, I don’t think there will be any problem with you. You don’t need to worry about it.” -Diz

“What is it? You’re so indecisive.” -Lacretia

She pursued the matter, but the Hero only laughed.

Lacretia was a little irritated by her attitude, but since it seemed she had no intention of saying anything more, she stopped pursuing it further. For now, she just took in the information she had heard.

And then there was a knock at the door. When she allowed entry, the person who appeared from inside was the other contributor to the reconstruction of Gradol.

“Excuse me. Shinra.”

“…Klaulan-sama. If you had business with me, I would have come to you.” -Lacretia

“You treat me quite differently, Lacretia.” -Diz

“Be quite.” -Lacretia

The【True Human Creator, Klaulan】, a protector who saved many lives by directing his many “subordinates” during Gradol’s turmoil. At first glance, it would not be an exaggeration to call him ugly, but even the loud-mouthed, corrupt priests now showed him not contempt, but respect and gratitude.

Lacretia also had a history of him saving her husband and sons. She couldn’t hold her head high either.

“Today, I have business not with you, but with my comrade. How are you doing, Hero?!” -Klaulan

“We just met yesterday, Klaulan. By business, do you mean that thing is ready?” -Diz

Yes, he said, turning his eyes to the blue-haired boy who was his subordinate. He carefully carried it wrapped in cloth in both hands.

“The item you entrusted me to adjust has finally been completed.” -Klaulan

He gently put it down and removed the cloth What appeared from inside caused anyone who saw it to gasp in admiration – a beautifully designed, gleaming suit of golden armor.

Although Lacretia had no knowledge of weapons or armor, she could immediately tell that this armor was not only very beautiful, but also not just something beautiful. Just by being in front of it, there was a power that naturally made one stand up straight.

“It’s the 【Armor of the Sun God】. Accept it, my comrade. It was quite a hassle.” -Klaulan

“Yeah. Thank you, my fellow. Let’s try it on. Akane.” -Diz

《Nyaaa. 》-Akane

As the Hero took off her jacket, a familiar in the form of a crimson fairy appeared from her coat and clung to her body. Confirming that it had become a thin inner layer, the Hero put on the armor.

For a moment, Lacretia forgot that she was a cheeky girl more than twice as young as her. The beautiful armor suited the Hero perfectly, as if it belonged on her.

“All that remains is the 【Celestial Blade】. We managed to make it in time for the Proudia incident.” -Diz

Gazing sharply into the distance at her hometown through the window, her figure was indeed that of the 【Seven Heavens’】 Hero