Akatsuki Translations

“Please do as you desire with me.“?? 

It took a while for Ur to comprehend the words. His head throbbed with pain, though it wasn’t because of her statement. It was the aftermath of being struck by her in the dungeon and then falling under the influence of magic causing him to faint. In any case, it was all Shizuku’s fault. What a woman she was. 

Grasping his throbbing head, Ur posed the question. 

“Why… Why would it come to that?” -Ur 

“I believe I have to make amends.” -Shizuku 

“And so? ‘Do as you desire’?” -Ur 

“Because it seems that Ur-sama has an interest in my body.” -Shizuku 

Ur froze at her frank remark. She seemed to have noticed him looking at her chest. Normally, he might have felt embarrassed, but that was the least of his concerns now. There was something far more crazy right in front of him. 

“If want to make amends, there got to be other ways.” -Ur 

“There are none. Money was earned together with you. My abilities were bestowed upon me. The only thing I possess is this body.” -Shizuku 

To atone for the sin of deceiving you, there is nothing else I can offer except for “this.” 

She caressed her body with a seductive motion, tracing its alluring contours. 

His head ached. His body felt weak. His heart ached. Fatigue and excitement swirled within Ur’s mind. Perhaps, if he were to surrender himself to her enticing body as she suggested, without resisting, it would bring relief. That’s what Ur thought. Thinking so, he glanced into Shizuku’s eyes to confirm. 

And then, looking into her empty eyes devoid of joy, sadness, or shame, Ur realized. 

“….Do you not feel anything about treating your body like that?” -Ur 

“Well, there is the concern of whether or not Ur-sama will be satisfied with this.” -Shizuku 

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about…” -Ur 

Yet, Shizuku merely looked puzzled, and nothing more. 

Their conversation was fatally out of sync. 

Until yesterday, they had been able to communicate without any issues, but now it seemed as if she had become an insane person with whom he was unable to establish understanding. Indeed, he had kept his distance from her and refrained from prying into her inner self, but there were limits to everything. 

However, there were certainly clues to the situation. 

Her kindness towards everyone, never refusing anyone’s wishes. A gentle girl resembling a saint. She was beloved by people in the tavern, and Shizuku did not reject anyone who approached her. 

For the injured, she offered healing hands. 

For the hungry, she gave charity. 

For the troubled, she provided solace. 

For those who loved her, she bestowed smiles. 

A pure-hearted saint, in both body and soul. A remarkable girl possessing innate talent and a perfect personality. Many who had encountered her held such a perception, and Ur had believed the same. 

But now, as he stepped closer and finally understood… 

“Now I understand. Why you are so kind. Why you are willing to risk your life for your mission.” -Ur 

He thought it was because she was a person of exceptional character. 

He thought it was because she had a vital and crucial mission. 

He believed that her compassionate heart allowed her to be kind even to rough adventurers. And he thought she must have been carrying something more significant than Ur who had been desperately struggling for the sake of his family, his sister, and himself; it was something that empowered her to embark on this perilous challenge. 

However, that was not the case. This girl, she… 

“Seriously, you don’t care about yourself at all.” -Ur 

She didn’t hold even a fragment of value towards herself. 

That’s why she could throw herself into danger without hesitation. As long as it meant fulfilling her mission, she didn’t care about the risks that would befall her. She could be kind to others like a saint. Even to complete strangers, at least they held more value than herself. 

He had no idea how Shizuku had ended up like this. 

But her way of being was too distorted. 

“What’s wrong with you? How did you become like that?” -Ur 

“Ur-sama…” 

And Shizuku, oblivious to Ur’s anguish or perhaps intentionally ignoring it, directed her smile towards him. It was adorable, beautiful. It was a merciful smile, akin to that of a saint. It overflowed with love that she would never direct toward herself. 

“Shizuku…” -Ur 

“Yes, that’s right. I must be insane. I must be mad.” -Shizuku 

Shizuku gently took Ur’s hand. A feverish heat emanated from her touch, causing a tingling sensation to course through Ur’s entire body. 

“I am different from others. I am aware that I am abnormal. However, Ur-sama, the place we aspire to reach is that kind of place, isn’t it?” 

Her own eyes reflected in his gaze. Her clear silver eyes, so bright that they felt dazzling, forcibly captured Ur’s gaze and never let go. 

“Although I have only recently become an adventurer, I understand that the path to reaching gold rank is extraordinary. It is a place where you cannot make progress by adhering to common sense.” -Shizuku 

Ur had also begun to understand this. And he had almost given up on himself. Because he was not abnormal, not an extraordinary person. But precisely because of that… 

“Let’s do something mad, Ur-sama.” -Shizuku 

Shizuku enticed him. Towards madness. 

“Please, go mad. Ur-sama, please desire me. Indulge in the twisted logic I present, and feel free to do with me, who troubles you with their madness, as you please.” -Shizuku 

She moved both her hands from Ur’s hand to his cheek. Her arms wrapped around his neck like a snake. Her perfectly sculpted face, so frighteningly beautiful, drew closer. With that smile, a saintly smile, and with words and a voice more wicked than that of a succubus, she began to entangle him. 

“Now…” -Shizuku 

” ――――I refuse.” -Ur 

Ur spit out those words, as if casting them aside. He pushed Shizuku away, using both his hands to separate himself from her. 

“Ur-sama?” -Shizuku 

“No. Absolutely not. I refuse. What is this? Are you mocking me?” -Ur 

Ur forcibly pushed down Shizuku, who had begun to cling to him, and looked down at her. He felt an uncontrollable surge of emotions towards her face, which was now expressing not sadness or shame, but bewilderment. 

This emotion was, anger. 

“What you’re doing is essentially this. ‘I don’t care about myself at all.’ You don’t find any value in yourself. And you’re trying to ‘give’ that worthless self to me in an attempt to please me.” -Ur 

In other words, she was merely offering him her “trash” because he happened to desire it. Where was the apology or atonement in that? It was ridiculous. 

She no longer cared about her betrayal. The only thing swirling in Ur’s heart was anger toward the woman who had acted so arrogantly. 

“Well, what should I do? I’ll do anything in my power.” -Shizuku 

“Stop making light of yourself. It’s repulsive,” Ur snapped, not hiding his displeasure. 

In the first place, Ur hadn’t been “angry.” He even felt it was inevitable, that because of his own indecision, she was forced to make that choice. He had only thought that they should establish some rules to get along well from now on, as a matter of closure. 

But now, it was different. Rage simmered within Ur. The attitude she had taken greatly contradicted Ur’s values. He rejected Shizuku’s frivolous apology and was indignant at her very existence. 

He was furious at her attitude of trying to offer something worthless to try and win him over. 

He was furious with her sense of values, which allowed her to sell herself off as something worthless. 

“Why are you angry with me, Ur-sama?” -Shizuku 

Above all, Ur was furious at Shizuku for not understanding why he was so enraged at all. 

Why was Ur so worked up about herself? Shizuku couldn’t fathom why he would be seething with rage over something so trivial, someone so insignificant such as herself.  

That thought process was incredibly displeasing for Ur. 

“Matters related to me are inconsequential, are they not? Right now, what is important is the crystal golem.” -Shizuku 

“If the crystal golem is what’s important, then all the more.” 

“It’s about me, you know?” -Shizuku 

“It’s about my partner.” -Ur 

That’s right. A partner. Shizuku was a partner to Ur. After losing his guardian, losing his sister, and starting from scratch, she was the first partner he had found. She had helped him immeasurably when he was overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, without any backing or knowledge of what the future held. 

He didn’t want her to treat herself in such a way. It was simply unacceptable. 

“Ur-sama, are you angry?” -Shizuku 

“Yeah.” -Ur 

“Why? Why are you so angry about me, Ur-sama?” -Shizuku 

The question sounded the same as before, but its essence was directed at Ur himself. 

Why was he angry? Why was he so furious about a woman he had met less than a month ago, who had no blood relation to him? In response to that question, Ur suddenly recalled an old memory. 

There had been a time before when Ur was asked, “Why?” 

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City of Sin, Proudia “Orphanage for Those Without Names” 

It was a foster facility established to care for the children of deceased adventurers. The Dungeon of Sin, Proudia, was a “grand dungeon fortress” that existed in the sky. It contained countless magic stones, relics, and enchanted treasures. This place also served as a gathering spot for the children left behind by adventurers who had abandoned their families in pursuit of dreams and ultimately met their demise. 

Most adventurers were “Nameless.” They lacked permanent residency, and the same could be said for their children. However, the city’s inhabitants did not possess the heartlessness to simply abandon children without the ability to support themselves outside the city, beyond the boundaries of the Human Survival Zone 

Hence, the orphanage existed—a miniature world where parentless children were allowed to stay until they could stand on their own. 

Ur and Akane resided there. At the time, their mother had passed away due to illness, but their father was still alive. However, this orphanage also functioned as a daycare center for adventurers embarking on long journeys, so Ur and Akane made use of it. 

Nevertheless, tensions arose frequently due to the contrasting circumstances between children with parents and those without. 

“Why?”  

The question came from the elderly man who was the head of the orphanage. 

The orphanage was a facility established by the “Temple,” and its administrator was a “Priest.” He was supposed to be apart of the privileged class within the city, yet he differed greatly from the characteristic odor of those in power. His physique was unimpressive, his flesh sagging and his skin clinging to his bones. Creases and folds gathered upon his face, and at a casual glance, one might mistake him for a Nameless elder, exuding an air of meagerness that left a lasting impression upon all who beheld him.  

However, his gaze was unusually sharp, and his posture remained remarkably upright, without showing signs of aging. 

The administrator of the orphanage, a priest considered to hold a trivial position even within the Temple, lacking remarkable achievements or any significant interaction with spirits, took it upon himself to undertake this thankless duty. This “eccentric” priest stared straight into Ur’s eyes and asked the question. 

At the tender age of six, Ur, with scrapes on his cheeks and arms, repeated the priest’s question. 

“Why?” -Ur 

“Why did you start the quarrel?” -Priest 

“I’m sorry.” -Ur 

At that time, Ur, who was quite lacking in emotion compared to his present self, maintained a stoic expression and simply bowed his head. 

“Showwy.” -Akane 

Upon seeing this, Akane, Ur’s four-year-old sister who stood behind him, also bowed her head in the same manner, imitating her brother. At that time, she had not yet been possessed by a spirit. That would happen a little later. 

In response to the siblings’ apology, the priest shook his head. 

“No, I am not seeking an apology. I am asking for the reason why you initiated the quarrel.” -Ur 

It was an overly formal way of speaking to young children. However, it was his usual manner. The priest treated young children equally with strictness. Whether the other party was the son of a priest or a child of the city’s inhabitants or a Nameless orphan, Ur was treated in the same manner. 

And he was not particularly angry. 

“You have a sharp mind despite your young age. You possess an awareness capable of allowing you to escape from danger. Instead of engaging in a fight that would result in injuries, you could have chosen to run away.” -Priest 

The head of the orphanage gently wiped Ur’s wounds with a damp cloth. It should have stung, but Ur silently endured the treatment. 

“However, why did you start a fight this time? Moreover, you were the one who threw the first punch.” -Priest 

“They took Akane’s food. Even though they have parents, they took our food.” -Ur 

As an argument, it was undeniably true. 

This orphanage was meant to be a place solely for nurturing children who had lost their parents. It was true that adventurers, who used it as a kind of daycare, were peculiar, despite being partially accepted. The meals distributed to the orphanage were by no means abundant, nor were there many. It could even be said that they were stealing those meals unfairly. Of course, it went against the rules of the orphanage, but… 

“So, you tried to take it back? Against three children five years older than yourself?” -Priest 

“Yeah.” -Ur 

“You understood that there was the possibility of facing retaliation, yet you still decided to do it?” -Priest 

“Yeah.” -Ur 

It wasn’t recklessness that drove him to act on impulse. 

At that moment, Ur knew. He knew he stood no chance against his opponents. There were three of them, clearly twice his size. Even a fool could see that. Despite being aware of that, Ur confronted them, starting a fight, in an attempt to reclaim the stolen meal. 

The result of the fight was that Ur was overwhelmed, beaten up, and about to sustain serious injuries when the priest intervened and stopped it. The boys who took their Ur and Akane’s food and him were now in the confession room, reflecting on their actions. 

However, this fight was not entirely one-sided. 

The boys who had assaulted Ur were also injured. Moreover, two of the three had marks on their bodies that looked like they had been ‘hit with a stone’. In the end, they ganged up on him and beat him, but it was only because they had targeted Akane. Otherwise, this Ur would have knocked all three of them down with the stone. 

That’s why the priest himself had come to question young Ur. 

“If you were that hungry, you should have told me first. Even though the orphanage may not have much money, there could have been some flexibility in providing meals for two children.” -Priest 

Upon the Priest saying that, Ur shook his head. 

“That not it.” -Ur 

“What’s not it?” -Priest 

“I wasn’t really hungry. I gave the lily fruit to Akane.” -Ur  

Looking closely, young Akane was clutching the fruit of a lily tree growing in the backyard in her hand. 

The lily tree stood tall, its branches adorned with fruits that children were forbidden to pick. However, it seemed he had silently plucked them. 

“I will scold you later for taking the lily fruits. But if that’s not the case, then why did you do it? There was even less of a reason to do so.” -Priest  

If the two had been able to fill their stomachs, then there shouldn’t have been a problem. 

“There was.” -Ur 

“What is it?” -Priest 

“They bullied Akane. They are ‘my’ enemies, so ‘I’ will defeat them.” -Ur 

As the old man observed the expressionless face of the young boy named Ur, his eyes burned with intense anger. Unyielding passion emanated from the depths of the child’s soul. 

The old man seeing a glimpse of what was within the young boy, let out a small sigh. “…Is this the result of a harsh journey of wandering, with nowhere to belong and no one to rely on?” 

His bony hand gently stroked Ur’s head. 

“That wrathfulness of yours will destroy you if I don’t guide you.” -Priest 

“w, rath, ful-ness?” -Ur 

Ur repeated the words, not understanding their meaning. 

“At such a tender age, you have ‘abandoned’ the naive expectation that someone other than yourself will solve your problems. Therefore, you try to resolve them with your own judgment and your own hands.” -Priest 

That’s why he immediately took action against the children who had attacked him and his sister. He was confident that neither their parents, nor the priests, nor the other orphans would come to their aid. 

Unfortunately, his troubling thoughts were somewhat “accurate.” 

“…Gramps, we’ll be separated too, won’t we?” -Ur 

“Yes.” -Priest 

The priest agreed with Ur’s words. 

Due to his anonymous status and the fact that Ur’s father is still alive, he has no right to permanently reside in this city. If his father were able to pay the lodging fees, perhaps they could stay, but unfortunately, that hope is slim. 

Ur let go of the old man’s hand and prepared to leave the city. Ur and Akane would most likely face numerous harsh trials outside the city from now on. Ur was also well aware of this. 

Therefore, he couldn’t simply dismiss Ur’s way of thinking. 

However, that alone was not enough. 

“Your ‘means of opposition’ are too crude and merciless.” 

“mersiless?” -Ur 

“That mercilessness may grant yourself protection, but the same can’t be said for your sister.” -Priest  

Ur resorting to violence, like hitting his opponents with stones, stemmed from his understanding of his own youth and vulnerability. The realization that he was the only one who could fight led to an extreme approach in his methods. 

But it was too extreme. 

“Nii-tan, are you hungry?” -Akane 

Ur turned around to see Akane offering him a lily fruit. She seemed to want to give it to him, showing her kindness. She was a gentle girl. 

However, it was uncertain whether she could keep up with Ur’s actions, according to the priest’s assessment. Akane had received Ur’s love, which led to her gaining kindness but losing intensity. 

“What I am saying is, without the ability to keep up, eventually, she will get hurt because of you.” -Priest 

Ur frowned as he gently stroked Akane’s head. 

“I… don’t want that.” -Ur 

“Of course.” -Priest 

The old man nodded, bending his knees and locking eyes with Ur. The flame within his eyes still burned, never dwindling. It was only natural. It was because of this fire that he had protected his young sister until today. 

“From now on, I will teach you morality.” -Priest 

The priest declared. However, Ur didn’t quite grasp the meaning of the word “morality.” As he tilted his head, memories of discussions about morality resurfaced in his mind. 

“Are you talking about those ‘speeritz’?” -Ur 

“Rather, the fundamental art of living in the world of humans.” -Priest 

For Ur, the order of the world and social norms were distant concepts. He had no time to engage with them or learn about them. He had no opportunity to learn from his parents either. Instead, it was the priest who provided him with such knowledge. 

“To honor the virtuous and abhor the wicked. Sociability is instinctively ingrained within one as if it were a seed, provided there are no deficiencies. But you have lacked in the opportunity to cultivate it, hence I shall bestow it upon you.” -Priest

If one treads the path of immorality, they will eventually become irredeemable, just like Ur’s parents. Especially when there are those who need protection. What the priest was about to teach him may seem fragile and unreliable at first glance, but they were the necessary tools to confront difficulties without resorting to violence. 

“However,” interjected the priest. 

“Never forget the ‘self’ that lies at your core.” -Priest 

“But…” -Ur 

“There is no one to rely on. Your realization that only you can stand up for those you must protect, even if it is a sad truth, is correct. The ‘morality’ I shall impart to you is merely a means to uphold the ‘self’.” -Priest

A merciless “self.” 

A resolute belief that only oneself can save one’s own self. 

The priest chose not to extinguish the flames deep within Ur’s eyes. It was because Ur was in a place where it was necessary. 

“Through the ‘self,’ carve a path in the wilderness and attain the ‘way’ through virtue.” -Priest 

Saying this, the priest gently stroked Ur’s head, as if wishing him a safe journey ahead. 

This was the “beginning” for Ur. 

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“…Ur-sama?” -Shizuku 

“……..” -Ur 

Upon Shizuku’s call, Ur returned from a distant reminiscence. 

“I was just recalling the past a little.” -Ur 

It was a nostalgic memory. Ur himself had kept it buried deep in his recollection, never bothering to remember it. However, even without remembering, what the aged priest had spoken to Ur had taken root within him. 

And now, as he remembered it, he understood clearly. 

“So, what was it? The reason why am I so angry about you?” -Ur 

“Yes, please don’t concern yourself with m—” -Shizuku 

“That much is obvious.” -Ur 

Ur firmly grasped Shizuku’s head before him. Without showing any surprise, Shizuku blinked her eyes calmly, and Ur spoke directly. 

“I don’t like you.” -Ur 

“That is—” -Shizuku 

“Everything about your words and actions disgusted me. That’s all.” -Ur 

There was no need for justification. He had simply been angry because it had been displeasing. 

And that was all there was to Ur. 

As a wanderer without a place to call home, his absolute judgment was his own 【self】. 

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.” -Ur 

He remembered. And he became certain. 

Wanting to save Akane had nothing to do with Akane herself. 

Akane being sold and his struggle to save her was not for her sake nor her fault. 

It was Ur’s decision. He became an adventurer because he decided to save her. 

Glen questioned Ur about his principles and his purpose. 

There was only one answer. It was because “Ur wanted to do so.” 

There was nothing else. And that alone was reason enough to stake his life. 

And now, he wanted to do something about the pitiful, broken, beautiful woman before him for the same reason. There was no reason for him to resist that impulse. There was no meaning in resisting. 

Nothing that Ur desired lay beyond going against himself 

“Fine. I guess I’ll have you compensate me. From now on, your entire being will belong to me.” -Ur 

While still gripping Shizuku’s head, Ur spoke bluntly. Shizuku, who had been dumbfounded for a moment, smiled at Ur’s words. Although her delighted expression was irritating Ur’s nerves, she seemed not to have noticed. 

“…Ah, I’m glad. In that case—” -Shizuku 

“So, you’ll take good care of the ‘you who belongs to me,’ won’t you?” -Ur 

And with that, Ur issued another statement, causing Shizuku to blink her eyes in response. 

“…Me?” -Shizuku 

“Of course. Your body belongs to me now, doesn’t it? So don’t neglect what is mine.” -Ur 

“But, well, I—” -Shizuku 

“You’ll compensate, won’t you?” -Ur 

Without giving her a chance to respond, Ur asked without hesitation, and Shizuku’s face filled with concern. 

“That’s difficult.” -Shizuku 

“Why?” -Ur 

“I will serve you, using this body. I’ll compensate. However, I must expend my life for my mission. I don’t have the confidence to value my own life.” -Shizuku 

The mission given to her was the highest priority. 

Compensation for Ur was next. 

And she ranked herself lowest. 

Ur understood her value system. 

As long as she had her mission, she would never value herself. She couldn’t. He understood that. 

“…I see.” -Ur 

Therefore, Ur made a decision. 

Ur grabbed Shizuku’s head and drew closer. At a distance where their lips almost touched, there was no trace of love or friendship in Ur’s expression reflected in Shizuku’s eyes. It was filled with burning anger and determination. 

“Ur, what are—” -Shizuku 

With that, he slammed his forehead against Shizuku’s, and then stood up. 

“That hurts?!” -Shizuku 

“Do as you wish with your life. I’ll do as I please. I won’t let Akane or you die.” -Ur 

I desire, therefore I exist. 

Ur obtained a single truth. 

That every choice he made was born out of ego, a harsh and merciless truth. 

That’s why he resolved to save his sister. 

That’s why he couldn’t allow himself to abandon the pitiful girl before him. 

“Throw away your life as you please. Whatever happens, I will save you.” -Ur 

As Ur said that, Shizuku—probably for the first time since meeting Ur—looked at him with an expression of intense bafflement. 

“…How do you come to such a conclusion? I don’t particularly wish for that.” -Shizuku 

“It doesn’t matter. Your will and Akane’s will don’t matter. Even if you refuse, I will save you.” -Ur 

“…I’m comprehending less and less.” -Shizuku 

Of course, Ur internally agreed with her question. He didn’t expect his mind to become so twisted. However, he didn’t feel bad. 

“It doesn’t matter whether I understand or not, right? I accepted your deal.” -Ur 

But his doubts had vanished. There was no longer any hesitation. 

“That means…” -Shizuku 

“You belong to me. And together with you, I will defeat the crystal golem.” -Ur 

Ur answered, and Shizuku smiled, exchanging a kiss. Ur found her smile and gestures to appease men distasteful, but the touch of her lips was gentle, and her childlike smile was adorable. 

“I belong to you. Please, do as you wish.” -Shizuku 

“I will. Self-worthless woman.” -Ur 

Thus, amidst a series of twists and turns, the two formed a pact. 

Seizing the hand of the girl who sought to plunge into the depths of despair, the boy willingly jumped alongside her, descending together into the abyss. 

Henceforth, they would witness hell. 

But it was a path they had chosen of their own volition.