Akatsuki Translations

It was a few hours after they had departed from the “roost” when Ur and his companions confirmed the “serious situation.” Their pace was steady, the journey smooth, but a significant gap had already formed between their carriage, which needed rests, and the Island-Eating Turtle that moved without stopping.

Due to its massive size, the turtle’s form was still visible, seemingly being close, but even if the horses pulling their carriage ran at full speed, they wouldn’t catch up to it so easily.

“I wish we could’ve stayed a bit closer, but I suppose it can’t be helped” -Diz

“The presence of monsters is gradually increasing, even though we’re still at a distance” -Shizuku

“We’re losing the protection of the Island-Eating Turtle… Hopefully, we can make it to the next roost” -Ur

While slightly increasing his vigilance, Ur hurried the pace, intending to keep as close to the Island-Eating Turtle as possible. While they could handle a few monsters if they appeared, unnecessary exhaustion should be minimized. After all, Ur and Shizuku were currently on an escort mission. It was their duty to shield their charge from unnecessary risks.

By the time they’d reach the next “roost”, the sun would probably be setting. Without the protection of the Island-Eating Turtle, they’d need to be even more cautious of monsters.

Just as Ur was considering his next move, he noticed something.

“….Hm?” -Ur

The gap between them and the far-traveled Island-Eating Turtle seemed to be closing.

It wasn’t that the turtle was slow; its pace was comparable to a walking horse. There should’ve been no way they could catch up, but for some reason, they were. He had urged the horses to move a bit faster but hadn’t been running them. Why was the gap closing? At first, Ur thought it might be an optical illusion due to the turtle’s size, but as time passed, the increasingly larger appearance of the turtle suggested otherwise.

“What’s going on….?” -Ur

“Ur-sama.” -Shizuku

“Shizuku? What is it?” -Ur

“There’s no sound of footsteps.” -Shizuku

Upon Shizuku’s remark, Ur realized that the constant sound of the turtle’s footsteps had ceased. He had assumed it was due to the distance, but that wasn’t the case. The Island-Eating Turtle had stopped.

“It should been moving continuously, shouldn’t it?” -Ur

The turtle was supposed to move non-stop from Greed to the next city. After refueling in the city, it could roam for a whole month. Naturally, there would be ample food for the passengers. There should’ve been no reason for it to stop in the monster-infested areas between cities.

Something was amiss. On guard, Ur drew his Dragonfang Spear, pulling the reins of the horses, and slowed down to scan the surroundings.

“Shizuku, any monsters?” -Ur

“Yes.” -Shizuku

“Where?” -Ur

“On top of the Island-Eating Turtle. Countless of them.” -Shizuku

Ur was momentarily taken aback.

“You’re not being confused by the turtle’s presence, are you?” -Ur

“No. There’s a swarm of small monsters distinctly different from the turtle.” -Shizuku

Ur looked towards the turtle, focusing on the upper shell where passengers boarded. From this distance, he could vaguely see the top. There should’ve been a few facilities on the gentle curve of the turtle’s shell where passengers could relax.

“It’s…bright. Wait, is that fire?” -Ur

As dusk approached, the top of the Island-Eating Turtle was unusually illuminated. There might have been regular lighting, but the flickering suggested it wasn’t artificial.

“Ur-sama. I’ve detected several human presences and ‘carriages’ nearby.” -Shizuku

“Stop.” -Ur

Without needing the reins, the clever horses halted upon Ur’s command. As Ur admired their intelligence, he stood up, spear ready.

“Shizuku, set up a concealment barrier.”  -Ur

“【Sing, O Wind, and Hide Us from Malicious Eyes】” -Shizuku

Shizuku quickly established a barrier around their carriage. Ur climbed to the top of the carriage and presented his adventurer’s ring.

“【Eagle Eyes】.” -Ur

The ring’s magical function activated, magnifying Ur’s view like a telescope, with a mirror appearing before him, displaying the scene. What Shizuku referred to as ‘carriages’ puzzled Ur. Even their smart horses, Dāru and Sūru, were wary of approaching the turtle. Why would anyone bring carriages so close?

“It’s…not horses.” -Ur

Indeed, what pulled the carriages weren’t horses. They had the shape of horses standing on four legs, but they lacked flesh. They were just “bones.”

“….Perhaps they are【Undead Horses】? And those on the shell might be of the same kind, 【Undead Soldiers】.” -Shizuku

Shizuku, who had been investigating similarly, pointed out.

These creatures, more accurately called 【Skeletons】[1], were bone monsters. As the name suggested, they were the souls of dead humans or animals inhabiting their remains, wandering animated only by magic, not flesh.

“Why use monsters instead of horses?” -Ur

“Perhaps to get closer to the Island-Eating Turtle. Regular horses would be too scared to approach.” -Shizuku

“If that’s the case, someone intentionally created these undead.” -Ur

Could it be done? Yes. Undead were, like golems, creatures that could be artificially created. Some cities even considered it taboo, a forbidden art, since it could be misused.

But right now, they were outside any city’s jurisdiction.

Looking closer at the carriages, Ur noticed.

“…I see two human figures, one beastperson and one regular person. Both are armed.” -Ur

From this distance, he couldn’t discern their exact equipment, but their exposed swords and their demeanor made them appear hostile. Suspicion turned into conviction.

“Robbers boarding using undead.” -Ur

They had encountered an unprecedented event—a robbery aboard a mobile fortress that ensured safe travel between cities.

　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“I’ve grasped the situation for now, Ur. You’re unlucky, aren’t you?” -Diz

“In this case, isn’t it Diz who’s unlucky?” -Ur

《Both are unlucky~~. 》-Akane

“That is no good, Akane-sama, you mustn’t tell the truth.” -Shizuku

Having heard the gist of the conversation, Diz appeared to have understood the situation, though her face was still sleepy.

“So, what do you two want to do?” -Diz

“Is there any point in asking us? Employer.” -Ur

“There is. This is a small party so aligning opinions is important, even in an employment relationship.”

With that, she spread her arms wide, inviting their opinions. As they hesitated for a moment, wondering if they could speak their minds, Shizuku spoke first.

“I believe we should go to help.” -Shizuku

“That’s a quick answer. Lovely. What’s the reason?” -Diz

“Because the passengers are in danger.” -Shizuku

Shizuku stated firmly. It was a very clear and straightforward opinion, making one feel foolish for even pondering what to say. Diz nodded without affirming or denying Shizuku’s view.

“So, Ur, what about you?” -Diz

“I don’t know if we can go to help, but if there’s something we can do, I want to do it.” -Ur

“Why?” -Diz

“I saw even smaller kids boarding at the entrance than us. We can’t abandon them.” -Ur

“Cool. You look quite pale, though.” -Diz

Indeed, Ur’s complexion was poor. It was only natural.

“I never wanted to be wrapped up in something like this in the first place.” -Ur

To be attacked by a reckless band of robbers who would do something as ridiculous as attacking the monstrous Island-Eating Turtle was something Ur wanted to avoid at all costs, if possible, for the rest of his life.

“You could have suggested we run away and avoid the path.” -Diz

“I’ve already told you, we can’t leave them. It would be unpleasant. For ‘Me.’” -Ur

“You have a difficult personality, don’t you?” -Diz

In fact, Ur’s personality had become difficult, and the one suffering from this difficulty was Ur himself. Knowing this or not, Diz, laughing, turned her eyes to the red girl floating beside Ur.

“What about you, Akane?” -Diz

《I’m with Nii-tan! 》-Akane

“You’re a good sister, caring for your brother.” -Diz

Akane seemed to be enjoying herself. Ur cleared his throat to get back to the conversation.

“However, Diz is our employer, and we were hired to protect you. Unless you want to, we don’t intend to recklessly expose ourselves to danger.” -Ur

On that point, he had already talked with Shizuku. The advance payment had been made, and as hired hands, their priorities should not waver. Shizuku seemed to have reluctantly agreed.

For Diz, considering that she, who was supposed to have been on the Island-Eating Turtle, but had been expelled by Rose from boarding, and from afar, it seemed like all those aboard the turtle would harbor ill-will for her. With that in mind, her opinion would be—

“Oh, it’s fine then!” -Diz

“Fine?” Before they could ask again, Diz pointed at the turtle.

“I’m glad everyone’s opinion is unified. Then let’s go at full speed to save everyone on the Island-Eating Turtle.” -Diz

“GOGOGO,” she commanded, ordering them to defeat the invading robbers.

—

New Mission

Repel the thieves who have raided the Island-Eating Turtle.

TL Note(s)

[1] The raw uses the word “Skeleton” for the furigana of 「死霊骨」, so that’s what I’m going with, but just know that the reason why the subsequent line, “As the name suggested, they were the souls of dead humans or animals inhabiting their remains,” is written is because the kanji that make up the word,「死霊骨」, more or less mean “Death, Spirit, and Bone.” So, one would be able to somewhat interpret what type of monster these “Skeletons” are.