Akatsuki Translations

The City of Sin, Proudia; The Sunlit City, Proudia

The center of the continent, the leading nation of the Grand Federation connecting almost all countries

The largest country where all knowledge and wealth gather, ruled by the most exalted king.

While Proudia is praised in various ways like this, its basic structure isn’t much different from many other city-states. The tower soaring at the center, 【Babel】, is equivalent to the temples in other cities.

And like other cities, it’s divided into various districts around the temple – residential, commercial, entertainment, political, and others – to support people’s lives. It’s no different from other city-states.

This is natural because Proudia became the model for all other city-states.

Hundreds of years ago, during the Great Dungeon Flood when monsters overflowed and chaos reigned, this was the city structure Proudia devised as the most optimal form for human survival.

At that time, the head priest of Proudia’s temple, using the 【Barrier of the Sun】 bestowed by the One True God, repelled all monster invasions. He then shared this 【Barrier of the Sun】 with the most excellent priests, who activated it in major cities across the continent.

Since then, through the dispatched priests, Proudia came to dominate the entire continent. There were exceptions like Gradol, where the local king had talent as a priest, but generally, the priests ruled their assigned lands, and the head priest of Proudia controlled these priests.

He who seized real power in Proudia changed his title to 【Wise Heavenly King】, and to govern the chaotic world alongside him, he appointed seven individuals, including himself, each specialized in different fields, calling them the 【Seven Heavens】.

This marked the beginning of the 【Era of the Wise Heavenly King】 that continues to this day.

“…And that’s how this country and the current state of the world began. Did you understand?” Lynne explained.

『Hmmm, not really interested, 』 Rock replied.

“Eh, who cares about history lessons?” Rabin added.

“What an unteachable bunch…” Lynne’s shoulders slumped in disappointment at Rock and Rabin’s complete lack of interest in her explanation.

“Ya chose the wrong audience. One’s a sword-obsessed old man and the other’s an idiot girl who survives battlefields on instinct and reflexes,” Jain pointed out.

“Who’re you callin’ an idiot! Jain-san, you’re just as uneducated!” Rabin retorted.

『Show some respect for your elders, fatso! 』 Rock yelled.

“Shut up and die,” Jain snapped.

It was incredibly noisy. Lynne began to slightly regret coming with this group.

Lynne, along with Rock wearing armor to conceal his skeletal form, Jain, and Rabin, had come to the area between Proudia’s commercial and artisan districts. They were on 【Heavenly Sword Street】, a thoroughfare catering to adventurers where newly crafted weapons and armor were immediately put up for sale. As the name suggests, it’s said to have been established and developed by the first 【Heavenly Sword】—

“Or so the story goes, but it’s said that the first 【Heavenly Sword】 didn’t have time to manage city development, so we don’t know if it’s true,” Lynne added.

“That’s so uninspiring,” Rabin commented.

『If you talk about that stuff too openly, the merchants might beat you up, 』 Rock warned.

“I don’t care what those who use the first 【Heavenly Sword’s】 name for their business think of me,” Lynne replied.

The original Seven Heavens were one of Lynne’s goals.

They were heroes who governed and swept through the world during its chaotic period, saving many. She didn’t like the casual use of their names, which had something in common with the White Witch who risked her life to stop the corruption of the Dungeon of Sin, Lust.

However, regardless of likes or dislikes, or the truth behind the name’s origin, 【Heavenly Sword Street】 was indeed the continent’s premier street for weapon shops. Various weapons and armor overflowed from shops along the street, with merchants shouting to sell their wares. Even on the second and third floors of buildings facing the street, balconies were being used to forcibly display merchandise. People were overflowing everywhere, from top to bottom, underground to sky. It was a sight befitting the most populous city on the continent.

“Why are ya even here anyway? I get why we and Bones are here, but you?” Jain questioned.

“Yeah, yeah, aren’t you a magician? This is a weapon street for adventurers,” Rabin added.

Jain and Rabin raised valid points. Most of the people bustling through the street clearly looked like adventurers. The displayed items were obviously geared towards them. Of course, there are magicians among adventurers, but this place didn’t seem suited for them.

However, Lynne had a good reason for coming here.

“It’s this,” she said, holding something out.

『…Hm? What’s this? 』 Rock asked, unable to understand what Lynne was showing them.

Jain and Rabin looked too, but they couldn’t figure it out either. What she showed them was a mass of tattered, torn fabric.

“These are the protective gloves I used when drawing the White King Formation,” Lynne explained.

『They’re in tatters, 』 Rock observed.

“They got damaged from practicing the White King Formation. I came to buy replacements.”

“Shouldn’t you buy that at a magic item shop… hm?” Jain furrowed his brow as he examined the tattered cloth-like object.

“…This is leather. It’s made from monster drop materials, isn’t it? Isn’t this 【White Spiralhorn Deer】 hide?”

“Eh… can that even tear?” Rabin asked, surprised.

“I don’t know. What’s torn is torn. It was a hand-me-down from home, so it can’t be helped,” Lynne replied.

Jain and Rabin stared at the tattered cloth-like object, taken aback.

Depending on the processing method and materials, items made from carefully tanned and magically processed monster hide aren’t easily damaged. In some cases, they can become valuable magical assets.

Moreover, from what Jain could see, this wasn’t caused by deterioration over time. It looked like it had been subjected to some tremendous force that exceeded its limits.

“Excuse me for a moment… What?! What’s with this hand?! Is it made of rock?!” Rabin exclaimed.

“Even adventurers swinging swords every day don’t end up like this…?” Jain commented.

“Would you stop touching a lady’s hand without permission?” Lynne said.

“This isn’t a lady’s hand! It’s more like a gorilla’s- Ow ow ow! It won’t let go?!”

Annoyed by Rabin grabbing her hand uninvited, Lynne pinched Rabin’s hand in return. Her fingers, always tensed for writing the White King Formation, clamped down on Rabin’s hand and wouldn’t let go, shocking Rabin.

『So you came to find replacements for those gloves… Well, weapon shops might be better, 』 Rock commented.

“Right? As long as they’re sturdy, I don’t even need magical effects. I can handle that myself.”

“Ow ow ow! Stop it please!”

While bringing Rabin down with just her fingertips, Lynne was looking for her desired item. However, she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about weapons and armor. No matter how specialized, she was still a magician. She couldn’t really tell the quality of these items.

That’s why she had brought Rock and Jain along, but…

『Hmm… Sturdy gloves that can protect against grip strength that can tear even monster hide… 』

“There are some that surpass it in strength, but it’s for the White King Formation, right? It’d be troublesome if it hindered delicate movements.”

“Ow, that hurt… Anyway, isn’t it difficult to find the exact same item? 【White Spiralhorn Deer】 drop materials are expensive and rare, right?”

“If it’s here in Proudia, we might find it, but it could take time.”

Her requirements seemed to deviate from those of normal adventurers. It was uncertain how much their knowledge would be of use.

“Maybe we should go to the 【Golden Hammer】 I heard about from Ur. I hear they don’t lie or cut corners if you pay enough,” Lynne suggested.

“I don’t like that place, it’s too blatant…” Jain grumbled.

『I like it though? They quickly made this fake armor when I paid them, 』 Rock chimed in.

“Normal craftsmen probably wouldn’t like fake armor. By the way, why are you even here? Don’t you make weapons from your own body?” Rabin asked Rock.

“To observe and copy,” Rock replied.

“This guy’s the worst kind of customer,” Rabin sighed.

The noisy group continued down the street. The foot traffic was indeed heavy. And it wasn’t just adventurers. Several people wearing armor similar to what “Echelle used to wear” were seriously examining the merchandise.

In other words, their identity was…

“We’re seeing quite a few Sun Knights,” Lynne observed.

“…They’re probably preparing for ‘that matter’. I guess the issued equipment isn’t enough to ease their worries,” Jain speculated.

The 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】.

The battle proposed by Black and approved for participation by the 【Wise Heavenly King】. Lynne and Jain’s group had already heard the details from Diz. They had been told about its unusualness and danger. Yet even now, they couldn’t fully grasp it. There’s much that can’t be understood from hearsay alone.

But seeing the Sun Knights, officials with rank, personally inspecting and procuring weapons, heightened the tension. It made them realize that this wasn’t someone else’s problem, and that it was drawing near.

According to Hero Diz, the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】 was to take place three days from now.

They needed to complete their preparations by then.

“Let’s hurry and find what we’re looking for… Oh?”

As Lynne was trying to focus, she noticed a crowd gathering up ahead. The others seemed to notice too.

“A fight? Well, with this many people, it’s possible- Oof?!”

“Doesn’t seem like that kind of thing~”

“Stop suddenly climbing on my shoulders, you idiot woman…!”

Ignoring Jain’s protest, Rabin skillfully climbed onto his shoulders to peek over the crowd. She put her hands to her ears, likely using her 【Super Hearing】 skill. After a moment, she realized what was happening.

“Ah, it’s probably that. Debt collection.”

“Debt collection…?”

“I can hear things like ‘We’re collecting the repayment’ and ‘That’s an important family heirloom’ and such.”

『That’s indeed debt collection, but I didn’t expect to see it in such a big city, 』 Rock commented.

“Of course it happens. The bigger the city, the more types of people there are- and get off already, you idiot woman,” Jain grumbled.

“Eh~ but people are gathering on this side too, maybe if I do a backflip or something, I could get some tips?”

“Get. Down.”

Rabin reluctantly climbed down.

As they were talking, the crowd in front of them began to disperse. The scene Rabin had heard became visible. There was a young beastperson adventurer who looked like he’d been stripped of everything, and facing him was a middle-aged hobbit man carrying a large sword, accompanied by some tough-looking men.

The sword was clearly too large for a hobbit, likely originally belonging to the adventurer.

“P-please, give it back! It’s a family heirloom!” the adventurer pleaded.

“Shut up! If it was that important, you shouldn’t have used it as collateral! Your family must be crying!” the hobbit retorted.

“T-this is cruel! It’s too much! To suddenly collect when I was about to be able to repay the debt!”

“Was your method of repayment gambling? Are you an idiot?! It’s only natural to collect before you cause trouble elsewhere! Such a fine sword is wasted on you! Go work!”

The hobbit sharply rebuked the still unconvinced adventurer.

With a shiny head and a stocky build, the hobbit didn’t look like he could swing a sword either, but he probably wasn’t going to use the collected sword himself. Having recovered the item, he could have just left, but his berating of the persistent adventurer was drawing quite a crowd.

Some in the crowd began to talk, as if remembering who the hobbit was.

“Isn’t that Goufa Fenex of the 【Golden Phoenix】? The guild master of the money-lending guild.”

“Ah, the one who lends money and collects valuable weapons and armor as collateral? But wasn’t there a rumor that adventurers who borrow from him become successful?”

“I heard he also collects from good-for-nothings who possess items beyond their means. That guy’s probably the latter.”

“Indeed.”

From what they could see, the adventurer’s equipment didn’t look properly maintained. Imagining the fine sword Goufa was holding hanging from him did seem out of place.

In short, as Rabin had initially guessed, it was just a scene of debt collection. However, there was one thing that caught Lynne’s attention.

“Fenex…?”

That name sounded familiar. Not just familiar, she knew that name very well. She remembered hearing about the【Golden Phoenix】 from Ur too. If she recalled correctly—

“…se”

“Hm?”

Just as Lynne was trying to remember something, the crouching adventurer who had his sword taken away muttered something. Goufa, who was about to leave, turned back to see what was happening.

The adventurer’s expression as he lifted his face was clearly abnormal. His eyes were bloodshot. He didn’t look like he was in a sane state. The burly guards of Goufa blocked the adventurer’s path.

“Give it backkkkkk!!!”

However, they didn’t expect the adventurer to pull out a magic-sealed orb from his pocket and throw it, creating a fierce flash of light, right in the middle of the town.

“Kyaaaa!?”

“Is that guy an idiot!? What the hell is he doing!?”

“Call the knights!!”

Amid the screams and shouts of anger, the adventurer, using the confusion of the blinded and panicking crowd to his advantage, moved straight towards Goufa. Slipping past the immobilized burly guards, he gripped a small knife in his hand, raising it to strike—

『Take this, punch! 』

“Hogya!?”

“Die!”

“Guheee!?”

Even though the flash of light was meant to blind, Rock, who didn’t have eyes in the first place, sent the adventurer flying with his fist. The adventurer was then pinned down as Jain pressed him down further.

“That’s a pathetic knife. You can’t even kill a person with this.”

Rabin, who could also sense the situation through sound despite the blinding flash, picked up the knife.

Before the effects of the flash had completely faded, the adventurer, now reduced to a criminal, was subdued.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Before long, the Proudia Knights, who were patrolling the street, arrived and subdued the man. The debt collection was deemed legal, so Goufa Fenex was released without issue, and Rock and Rabin, who had intervened, were briefly questioned and thanked by the knights before being allowed to go.

So, with that matter settled, it seemed everything was back to normal. However, the supposedly rescued Goufa Fenex was glaring at them with a dissatisfied expression.

“I’ll thank you, I’ll thank you,” Goufa said, “but we could have handled it ourselves!”

『It didn’t look like it. Your guards are still squinting their eyes, 』 Rock retorted.

“Shut up!! I’ll negotiate a proper reward! You won’t rip me off!” Goufa snapped.

“Can’t tell if he’s honorable or just stingy…” Rabin muttered.

It seemed he was wary of being asked for a reward but was determined to give one nonetheless. A rather peculiar man. Rock and Rabin, who had helped him, didn’t seem to care about the reward, so Lynne wanted to leave quickly to attend to their matters.

However, there was one thing she wanted to confirm first.

“May I ask you something?” Lynne inquired.

“Hmm… what is it, you?” Goufa replied.

“Fenex… Are you associated with Diz-sama?” Lynne asked.

Lynne remembered.

Diz Gran Fenex, the 【Hero】 of the 【Seven Heavens】. Alongside her duties as the Hero, she worked part-time at the 【Golden Phoenix】, a 【money-lending guild】, to collect the equipment she used. It was also known that the complicated relationship between Ur and Akane began there.

Of course, just because they were in the same guild didn’t necessarily mean he knew Diz. But if his name was Goufa Fenex, sharing the same surname as Diz, there was a possibility he knew her.

Goufa’s expression changed to one of blatant surprise, and he began to look around nervously. Finally, he fixed his suspicious gaze on Lynne.

“What’s your connection to that girl?” Goufa demanded.

“Well, I’m her friend,” Lynne answered.

Goufa’s eyes widened, and he took a step back, pointing a finger at Lynne.

“Y-y-you mean to say you’re friends with that delinquent girl!?” Goufa stammered.

“Delinquent?” Lynne echoed in disbelief.