Akatsuki Translations

It was over in an instant.

“I thought you’d improved a bit, you novice,” Yuri said scornfully.

“…Ah well, you’re as strong as ever,” Diz replied wearily.

《Nyaaa…》 Akane whimpered internally.

Ur watched as Diz was pinned to the ground before him, with Akane, transformed into a sword, rolling away. The 【Heavenly Sword Yuri】 was kicking Diz contemptuously.

Ur, who should have witnessed the entire scene unfold before his eyes, couldn’t quite comprehend how things had come to this state.

He had seen Yuri draw her sword and take a stance, while Diz grabbed Akane, transforming her into a sword, and assumed a similar posture. In the blink of an eye, both had vanished. A series of metallic clangs had rung out in rapid succession, and then… this was the result.

“You’d do well to remember your place,” Yuri sneered. “As the lowest of the Seven Heavens, I couldn’t care less what you do, but I absolutely won’t allow you to trouble the King.”

“I’ll be more careful next time. Really, thank you, Yuri,” Diz said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Your gratitude is cheap, Diz,” Yuri spat.

With those harsh words, she stepped off Diz. After sheathing her sword, she glanced around, her gaze finally settling on Ur as she approached him.

“Are you Ur, of【The Walkers】?” she asked.

“…A pleasure to make your acquaintance,【Heavenly Sword Yuri-sama】,” Ur replied cautiously.

“Are you really the one who freed Uuga? Aren’t you just a child?” she said dismissively.

A whirlwind of thoughts ran through Ur’s mind in response to those words from the petite and adorable girl before him. However, knowing that the slightest careless remark would result in a flash of her sword, Ur clamped his mouth shut with all his might. He sensed Rock was about to say something behind him, so he sent a mental command to stay quiet.

“Let me give you a word of advice as well,” Yuri continued. “The responsibilities of our King, the agent of the Sun God, His Majesty the【Wise Heavenly King】 Arnold Shinra Prominence-sama, are immense. The effort he expends to seal away the evil dragons and their minions that overflow this world, to maintain order, is beyond the comprehension of us mortals.”

“Yes, I understand,” Ur replied.

“Therefore, I will never forgive anyone who causes him trouble, regardless of who they may be.”

“Yes, I under-“

“Which means I won’t forgive you for bringing this incomprehensible toy and unnecessarily increasing His Majesty’s workload,” she cut him off sharply.

‘Well, I’m screwed,’ Ur thought, glancing at Diz. She raised both hands slightly in a gesture of helplessness. ‘Give me a break,’ Ur silently pleaded.

Her sword wasn’t drawn, as far as he could tell. She was merely glaring at him straight on. And yet, Ur felt an extraordinary pressure, as if a sword was being held to his heart. He could feel cold sweat breaking out all over his body.

“Normally, this would be a grave offense punishable by crucifixion… however,” Yuri began.

Suddenly, the oppressive atmosphere dissipated.

“Considering your contribution in helping to rescue the innocent captives from the heretics in Uuga, I’ll let it slide. But don’t expect a next time,” she said.

With those words, she turned her back on Ur. He was desperately trying to suppress the urge to collapse on the spot.

“Those scheduled for an audience with the Wise Heavenly King today, follow me. We’ll be transferring to the 【True Babel】,” she announced.

The storm had passed… or so one might wish to say, but the storm was far from over. In fact, it hadn’t even begun. This was merely the preparation stage. The thought of being led into the eye of the storm by her made Ur feel incredibly uneasy.

“…Well. She’s still quick to draw your sword, but she seems to be in a pretty good mood today,” Diz remarked.

“No way!?” Ur exclaimed in disbelief.

He couldn’t believe Diz’s observation. Being in a good mood shouldn’t involve immediately drawing one’s sword and beating up a colleague upon greeting. That couldn’t be right.

“Look, her ears are twitching. That means she’s in a good mood,” Diz explained.

“You’ve got to be kidding…” Ur muttered.

“It seems the progress made in helping the victims of Yog, thanks to Klaulan’s cooperation, has had an effect. She seemed concerned about the people seeking help with the Gladol corruption issue.”

“But isn’t that your achievement, Diz?”

“She just can’t be honest with me. She’s a tsundere, you know.”

Ur wanted to say that the ‘tsun’ part seemed way too strong, but considering Diz had ended up face-down on the ground at the start of their encounter and was still claiming Yuri was in a good mood, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

                    ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

The escort carriage prepared in Proudia was lavishly decorated, befitting transportation to the royal castle. Adorned with intricate patterns of the sun and the four elemental spirits, it exuded an aura of majesty suitable for conveying passengers to the divine citadel.

The interior was spacious as well. Undoubtedly enhanced by expansion magic, but the craftsmanship itself was surely of high quality. It comfortably accommodated more than ten people without feeling cramped.

Ur and his companions were currently being transported through Proudia’s territory in this carriage.

Although they were still outside the city proper, they were within the 【Solar Aegis】. Naturally, there was no sign of monsters, and the view from the carriage windows showed a peaceful landscape.

However, they had no leisure to enjoy the scenery.

“I believe I instructed you to limit the number of people beforehand?” Yuri said sternly.

“Sorry, Yuri. We did limit it, believe it or not,” the Hero, Diz, apologized repeatedly.

Indeed, the number of people who had boarded the carriage was somewhat excessive.

“My apologies. As Diz-sama’s caretaker, I couldn’t possibly not accompany her,” Jenna explained.

First, there was Hero Diz and her attendant, Jenna.

“You’re fine, Jenna. Please continue to take care of your hopeless master. However…” Yuri said, turning her glare towards Ur’s group,【The Walkers】.

More precisely, she was glaring at Ur, Echelle, and Shizuku, who had come along with them.

“I can accept the guild leader and the survivor of the Caraleigh family. But you, who are you?” she asked coldly.

Her words of inquiry and her probing gaze were cold and sharp. True to the name given to her by the 【Heavenly Sword】 and the 【Wise Heavenly King】, her every move was like that of a blade’s. However, Shizuku, facing her, maintained her smile and bowed to Yuri.

“I’m Shizuku. I work as an assistant to the guild leader of【The Walkers】,” she introduced herself.

“The more visitors there are, the more personnel and effort the Sun Knights will need to provide protection. Are you absolutely necessary?” Yuri questioned.

“I’m here to provide various explanations and supplementary information about Uuga’s construction process, current state, and the influence of Leyline-sama’s 【White King Formation】. Please understand,” Shizuku explained.

Originally, it would have been better if Lynne had come too, but considering the need to limit numbers, Shizuku was chosen for her comprehensive overview of Uuga, equal involvement in all aspects, and sufficient understanding of the 【White King Formation】.

“Or so we’re saying.”

Shizuku had another reason for being here. Because of that, she had persuaded Lynne, who had been eager to expound on the usefulness of the White King Formation before the Wise Heavenly King, to let her come instead.

“…Very well. Just make sure you don’t speak unnecessarily. Only answer what you’re asked,” Yuri warned.

“I can’t promise that,” Shizuku replied deliberately.

“What?”

With Shizuku’s next words, the atmosphere suddenly froze. Simultaneously, a sword was drawn in the blink of an eye and pointed at Shizuku’s neck. The tip was barely touching her throat. If it moved forward even slightly, the carriage would be stained with fresh blood.

Even in this situation, Shizuku maintained her smile, smiling at Yuri who was directing killing intent towards her. Yuri, while exuding pressure that made even Ur, who wasn’t directly targeted, feel like he might be crushed, interrogated Shizuku.

“I thought I said I wouldn’t forgive anyone who increases the King’s workload,” Yuri said menacingly.

“I have a mission of my own. For that reason, I can’t afford to miss this opportunity,” Shizuku replied calmly.

“You mean to waste time on foolish things like ‘the plea of the evil spirit’s priestess’?”

Yuri’s words were sharp and precise. She must have been informed about Shizuku’s circumstances beforehand.

This was exactly why Shizuku was here. The purpose she had presented to Ur from the beginning: to restore the honor of the spirit she worshipped, which had been reviled as an evil spirit. This moment of directly meeting the Wise Heavenly King was the perfect opportunity for that. She had no reason to let it pass.

Yuri dismissed Shizuku’s mission as foolish. But even so, Shizuku didn’t flinch.

“Yes. Please, if you would,” Shizuku said politely.

“I’ll kill you,” Yuri threatened.

“By all means, after everything is over,” Shizuku replied.

The atmosphere was completely frozen. Ur wanted to plead for her life somehow, but pathetically, he couldn’t move a finger or utter a sound.

The killing intent of the 【Heavenly Sword】 Yuri was real. It wasn’t a half-hearted threat; if necessary, she would turn the inside of the carriage into a sea of blood. In a situation where it was unclear what would be the final push, no one except the two facing each other could move properly, “with one exception.”

《Don’t bully Shizuku!》

The one who broke the tension was Akane, the last passenger in this carriage.

“Akane…!”

While mentally screaming, Ur tried to retrieve her, but Akane floated unsteadily in front of the 【Heavenly Sword】 Yuri and started patting her nose. Ur felt like he was about to die. Next to him, Echelle was gripping his hand with incredible force. He completely understood the feeling.

“…You must be the spirit-bound girl mentioned in the Hero’s report,” Yuri said, staring intently at Akane while her nose was being repeatedly patted.

After a while, she slowly sheathed her sword.

“Be grateful to her, who embodies a part of the world’s logic. However, if you show any disrespect to the King, I will cut off your head. Keep that in mind,” Yuri warned.

“Thank you very much. Akane-sama, thank you so much as well,” Shizuku said gratefully.

《No problem!》

The atmosphere, which had become like absolute zero, returned to normal. Ur and Echelle, sitting next to him, let out small, deep sighs. Their hearts had definitely shrunk.

“Everyone, Proudia is coming into view,” Jenna suddenly announced, pointing to the scenery outside the window, likely in an attempt to change the mood.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned outward. Through the window of the carriage running on the well-maintained road, they could see the sight of Proudia. High, beautiful, pure white defensive walls. The shape of the City of Sin was no different from other cities. But there was one thing visible from outside this city that couldn’t be seen in others.

That was the central area of Proudia, the high castle where the Wise Heavenly King resided.

【True Babel】. The place where Ur and the others were heading.