Akatsuki Translations

By the time the situation had settled, the sun had risen.

The narrow beds in the rest area were filled with injured people. Although treatment by the healing mages and the available recovery potion had been administered, many were exhausted. They needed to rest to regain their strength.

“Thank you so much for your help.” -Operator

“All that matters is that you’re safe.” -Shizuku

Shizuku had been attending to the injuries of the operator of the Island-Eating Turtle, the “monster tamer” who had been controlling it. Shizuku’s magical power had already been exhausted, and she couldn’t use magic now. Instead, she focused on treatment using healing potions (fortunately, many such items were left on the Island-Eating Turtle).

Luckily, the injuries of the monster tamer weren’t very severe.

“The bandits probably didn’t kill me because they were afraid they wouldn’t know what would happen to the Island-Eating Turtle without me.” -Operator

According to him, who was operating the Island-Eating Turtle from its cockpit, the giant skeleton suddenly appeared in front of him while he was controlling the turtle. The startled turtle stopped, and the next moment, numerous smaller skeleton soldiers fell from the giant one and attacked the operator.

The next thing he knew, he was struck, tied up with ropes, and rendered immobile. That’s how he ended up in this situation.

“All of this trouble caused to the passengers… I can’t thank you enough.” -Operator

“No, what we did was just a small part.” -Shizuku

Shizuku smiled gently at him as he lowered his head, touching the bandages wrapped around his forehead. In reality, their successful rescue wasn’t just due to their own efforts. The biggest contribution was undoubtedly from…

　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Ur had witnessed what could be described as, in common parlance, a miraculous feat.

“【――】” -Diz

Right before Ur’s eyes, Diz was continually chanting a spell. She was doing so with utmost precision, yet at a rapid pace.

The target of her magic was a critically injured person. A man, on the brink of death just moments ago, unable to breathe after being grievously wounded by the undead soldiers who tore a large part of his abdomen, was being treated by Diz. As this went on, the man, likely surrounded by his family— a woman and children— held his hands.

And soon after,

” ―――】it’s done.” -Diz

Diz declared. The children and the wife, taken aback by the swift treatment, looked on in astonishment. However, when Diz removed her hands, the man began to breathe quietly in his sleep. His complexion had returned to normal, no longer the deathly pale from moments ago.

“He should be fine with some rest. At least, he won’t die.” -Diz

“Th-than…” -Injured Man’s Wife

As Diz informed them, the man’s wife, shaking, cried out, tightly grasping Diz’s hand, shedding tears and continuously bowing in gratitude.

“Thank you, thank you so much! Truly…!” -Injured Man’s Wife

“You’re welcome. I’m glad he survived.” -Diz

Diz’s response was typically light and nonchalant, but she firmly gripped the trembling hand of the woman. The children, clutching their revived father, received gentle pats on their heads from Diz.

With the last of the critically injured patients taken to the rest area, Diz’s job was done.

“Man, I’m tired. Ur, pillow.” -Diz

“Here you go.” -Ur

“Snacks~” -Diz

“A gift from the stall owner who Diz saved. A fruit cheese made from moul milk and lily fruit, cooled to the perfect temperature with magic.” -Ur

“Cold, sweet, sour.” -Diz

Ur silently fed Diz the treat, pampering her. Regardless of being hired or not, she had the right to be demanding. After all, she had continuously saved numerous people from the brink of death using resurrection magic till dawn.

“It’s impressive that you can handle resurrection magic.” -Ur

“I practiced a lot…” -Diz

“Practice…” -Ur

Would it really be achievable through practice? Why would a moneylender practice such a technique? Though Ur had these questions, he remained silent. Once the snacks were finished, Diz began to doze off, seemingly tired.

“Want to rest a bit?” -Ur

“I’d love to sleep right away if possible… but that’s unlikely.” -Diz

Before Ur could inquire further, new figures appeared before Diz and Ur. The desperate-looking man was Rose’s butler, who had clung to Ur and the others right after the night rescue of the Island-Eating Turtle. Behind him were men who appeared to be his subordinates. All of them were injured, but they didn’t seem to care about their own state.

Lying down and observing them, Diz watched as they slowly knelt and bowed their heads.

“We have a request! Diz Gran Fenex-sama…!” -Subordinates

“That is…” -Ur

Of course, Ur understood what they were begging for.

It was about Rose, who had been kidnapped during the commotion. They were asking to rescue her. However, that was a challenging request. It’s one thing within the city, but locating the hideout of bandits outside the city is impossible. The difficulties of searching in a place where monsters could appear from anywhere are obvious, even to a child.

“You’re asking us to save that lady, who might not even be alive?” -Ur

Ur voiced the unsettling truth.

The bandits, in particular that wicked necromancer, had abducted her. It was hard to believe she was safe. The chances of her being tormented and killed while they searched for her were high.

“We know it’s a lot to ask, but please save our young lady!” -Subordinate

“We apologize for our rudeness before. Please…!” -Subordinate

The men behind the butler also bowed one after the other. It seemed the girl was dearly loved. However, Ur, who had repeatedly ventured outside the city, knew that the chances of saving someone who went missing outside the city were almost zero.

It was hard to casually agree to rescue someone when the prospects of success were so bleak.

“Well, okay. Of course, I’ll need to prepare.” -Diz

Yet, Diz brushed aside Ur’s concerns.

“Hey, Diz.” -Ur

“I understand your concerns, Ur, but chances are Rose is safe.” -Diz

Stretching out and looking at the breathtaking sunrise from the top of the Island-Eating Turtle, Diz continued.

“The leader of the thieves, likely the necromancer, desires a virgin maiden. Rose was probably abducted for some ritual. That means she’s not dead. At least not until the ritual is over.” -Diz

“But we don’t know when that ritual will take place.” -Ur

“Depending on the scale, there’s no magical ritual that’s just a quick sacrifice. It should take at least a few days of preparation after securing the target.” -Diz

“Of course, if we don’t make it in time, she’ll die,” Diz added, then looked at the men clinging to her.

“So, I can’t guarantee her life. If you’re okay with that, let’s go save Rose. Is that acceptable?” -Diz

“Please!!!!!” -Subordinates

The men once again deeply bowed, pleading to Diz.

“So, that being said, come along, guards.” -Diz

“Damn, I definitely chose the wrong job.” -Ur

“It’s a black company, isn’t it?”  -Shizuku