Akatsuki Translations

Entrance to the Dungeon of Sin, Lust

Passing through the main gate of the City of Sin, Lust, and proceeding to the road leading east, opposite the road to the City of Sin, Proudia, and there it is. The path is crowded with adventurers heading to the dungeon, drifters who come looking for magic stones for pocket money even if they don’t belong to the Adventurer’s Guild, and merchants who dare to take risks and sell goods at high prices outside the human survival zone, among others. The atmosphere is different from that of Greed, where the dungeon was inside the city, but the vibrant scene remains unchanged.

However, despite the increasing popularity and bustle, the closer one gets to the dungeon, the heavier and more stagnant the air becomes. The trees grow lush and unnaturally tall, extending dark blue leaves as if to block out the light of the sun, as if to block out the glory of the Sun God. Despite it still being daytime, it feels dim and, despite the warm season, chilly.

The entrance to the Dungeon of Sin, Lust, is located at the deepest, darkest, and coldest point of the path.

“…It’s creepy no matter how many times I see it.” -Ur

“It has a unique atmosphere, different from Greed.” -Shizuku

Ur has been visiting this place almost daily and has passed through the entrance many times, but he still hasn’t gotten used to it. Every time he steps in, he feels as if his life is being shortened.

He takes a breath to compose himself and begins the final check. As soon as one steps into this twisted gate, everything becomes an enemy. It’s the last chance to settle down and check. He has finished updating his Dragonfang spear and has re-equipped his armor of fire-consuming. From now on, he can’t just rely on Rock; he has to fight on the front lines. It’s a depressing thought.

『HAHA! Don’t drag us down, Ur! 』-Rock

Rock looks no different than before. But Shizuku has revised his contract magic and strengthened his vessel. According to Rock, he feels ‘lighter.’

“I haven’t been to the dungeon for a while, so I’ll be careful not to cause any trouble.” -Shizuku

Shizuku’s equipment has been updated, but the real deal will be the magic she learned at the academy. When asked about it, it seems she has learned an overwhelming number of spells, so it’s okay to have high expectations. The details will be confirmed in actual combat.

And then

“Well… Lynne.” -Ur

“What is it, Ur?” -Lynne

Lynne. She had experienced family misfortune and seemed disheartened, but the current her is filled with enthusiasm. She’s not in her uniform but in the witch’s clothing she wore when showing her magic to Ur. The only difference is her staff. It’s a pure white staff as long as the small body of the hobbit herself.

“That staff is?” -Ur

“It’s the 【Meteor Brush】bestowed upon the first Leyline by the White Witch. A proof of being the head of the family.” -Lynne

“I see, you’re really psyched up.” -Ur

If she’s the head of the family, she is undoubtedly a member of the 【Temple】. She belongs to the privileged class of the city-state, and with her authority, she could have the ‘Nameless’ like Ur immediately expelled from the country, but it’s too late to pretend otherwise. Ur, with a half-resigned mindset, braces himself and turns back to her.

“Are you sure about this? You’re officially joining our party.” -Ur

“It’s fine.” -Lynne

“We’re ‘Nameless,’ wanderers without city citizenship, and due to our boss, who we are currently contracted with, we will be leaving this city soon regardless of the outcome of the Poison Omen Bird subjugation. You understand that?” -Ur

“Of course.” -Lynne

“Do you know that because of the city’s policy, your position as a priest and even your citizenship might be revoked?” -Ur

“I heard from the guild leader.” -Lynne

“You also understand that we are not the promising new stars that the guild is gossiping about, right? From today on, you’ll be experiencing even more disgrace than ever.” -Ur

“I understand. With that in mind, I want to be one of your companions.” -Lynne

To all the questions, her answers are immediate. Ur sighs.

“…Okay.” -Ur

“If you don’t want me to join, just say so.” -Lynne

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just the responsibility of carrying someone else’s life on my shoulders.” -Ur

A person with an official rank is staking their life to join Ur’s party. It’s heavy. He feels utterly unable to bear the responsibility. But he’s already shouldering the weight of the lives of his sister and Shizuku, a supremely heavy woman. It feels too late for any more.

『Well, there’s no use worrying too much about it. Even if you take on the responsibility, it won’t change what you have to do, right? 』-Rock

“Easy for you to say, it’s not your problem.” -Ur

『Well I am a skeleton after all. 』-Rock

Rock laughs with a rattle. Ur wants to grab his neck and throw him.

“There’s no need to worry. I fight for my purpose, for myself. Even if I die, it’s my responsibility.” -Lynne

She speaks clearly. There’s no hesitation. The light in her is much stronger than when Ur first met her. The death of her grandmother didn’t break her; it seems to have pushed her forward. Whether that’s good for her, Ur doesn’t know, but it’s fortunate for them.

On top of that, there’s one last thing that needs to be confirmed.

“Can I ask what your purpose is for becoming an adventurer, even at the risk of renouncing your city citizenship?” -Ur

Ur had finally asked her the question he felt he needed to ask all along. Her motives, her reasons—Aransa had mentioned it might be for the restoration of the Leyli—

“My purpose… it is—” -Lynne

She took a deep breath with her small body and declared,

“TO MAKE KNOWN TO THE WORLD THE GREATNESS OF THE WHITE WITCH AND THE FIRST LEYLINE WHO BESTOWED UPON US THE WHITE KING FORMATION, TO ENGRAVE THAT FACT INTO THE SKULLS OF THE FUCKING INCOMPETENT TROGLODYTES WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND IT AT ALL, TO MAKE THEM WEEP, RUB THEIR HEADS ON THE GROUND IN APOLOGY, AND THEN HAVE THEM WORSHIP ME IN THAT VERY POSTURE!!!!!” -Lynne

She exclaimed loudly, causing the surrounding adventurers to look startled, wondering what was going on.

She’s crazy, Ur thought to himself.

『This one’s got a screw loose, doesn’t she? 』-Rock

Shut up, skullhead.

“Lynne-sama is quite an… eccentric person.” -Shizuku

The tumultuous embodiment of eccentricity.

“…….. Okay, yeah, I got it.” -Ur

For now, he decided it was fine. There was no hint of her being coerced by someone else or that she was doing it reluctantly. No problem, except that the new member joining them seemed to be quite the madwoman. Probably.

“I still haven’t spoken of the greatness of the White Witch.” -Lynne

“Later.” -Ur

“Definitely.” -Lynne

While lightly pulling away from the zealous fanatic who was eagerly trying to secure a promise, Ur turned back to the dungeon. The will of his companion, her equipment, had been confirmed. All the preparations, the preliminary research, the fundraising, everything that could be done at this point had been done. All concerns had been addressed.

So, there was only one thing left to do.

“…Let’s do this.” -Ur

It was the start of the full-scale subjugation of the Poison Omen Bird.

　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Even so.

Just because all the preparations are complete, just because all the concerns have been addressed, does not guarantee that the challenges ahead will go smoothly.

Ur was keenly aware of this as he writhed on the ground, rolling in agony.

“Ga!!… Kk… Ge-ah…!” -Ur

Ur let out a twisted scream like the death throes of a beast, on the verge of dying. The reason was simple: he had been poisoned by the toxins of the Poison Omen Bird.

“Ga… Guh, eh…!!” -Ur

Removing the faceplate of his helmet, he vomited up the offensive substance. The world spun around him. His poisoned leg burned hotly, yet his stomach felt ice-cold. His whole body signaled a deadly crisis.

“Ge, poison…!” -Ur

His fingers trembled. Desperately reaching for the antidote while his consciousness flickered and his fingers shook, he nearly dropped the bottle. If he lost consciousness now, he would die.

“Guuh…” -Ur

He forced the medicine into his mouth. Suppressing the convulsions in his throat with the palm of his hand, he swallowed the potion. The magic potion that entered his body permeated his flesh instantly, activating the magic it contained.

The contents were an antidote, specifically 【Phoenix’s Tears】(worth 20 silver coins), capable of breaking down the deadly poison produced by monsters. He downed the precious bottle he had bought as soon as it was clear he was dealing with a poison-using bounty. The potion instantly neutralized the toxin that was rapidly destroying his body and even healed the damaged flesh. It was truly a magical medicine.

“Guh…!!” -Ur

Ur gasped at the rapid destruction and regeneration of his body. His vision blurred. The fact that he had just averted a near brush with death caused his body to almost relax— but,

“Stan..d..up…!” -Ur

He spurred his body on, mustering strength once again.

This was no time for relief.

The situation was still desperate.

『ＭＯＫＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥ！！！！』

The Poison Omen Bird was still rampaging.

It stamped the ground with its huge feet, emitting bizarre cries throughout the dungeon. It was incredibly vigorous. Yet, despite its energy, it had not attacked while Ur suffered. The reason for this was also clear.

“【Sing, O Water／O Wind】” -Shizuku

While Ur was weakened, Shizuku was holding off the Poison Omen Bird by herself.

Shizuku’s combat style had changed significantly from before she entered the academy to now. Previously, she had adopted the very orthodox magician style of casting magic from the rear while being protected at the front. But now, she was beside Ur, restraining the omen bird at a medium-close range.

“【Freeze Solid／Carve It In】” -Shizuku

The speed of her magic casting was clearly different. She was fast enough that she did not need to be protected in the rear. She seemed to be trying a new way of chanting magic, as two arias overlapped audibly. She complained of slight instability and difficulty in stabilizing them, but from Ur’s perspective, they seemed to be functioning well enough.

And another thing.

『ＭＯＫＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥ！！』

“Block” -Shizuku

『ＫＥ！？』

As she chanted her magic spell, the omen bird swooped in, as if to exploit the opening.

But the talons of the omen bird were obstructed immediately. It was Shizuku’s staff that stopped them. However, she wasn’t holding it as a shield in her hand. In fact, she wasn’t holding the staff at all. The pentagram staff floated on its own, circling around her.

“Smash” -Shizuku

『ＫＥ！？』

Furthermore, with a gesture from Shizuku, the staff moved on its own and struck the bird squarely on the head. The sound was neither light nor dull but solid, and the Poison Omen Bird that had been charging at them was momentarily halted in its tracks.

‘Object Manipulation Magic.’ The spell she cast on the staff she was equipped with was extremely simple.

It’s one of the kinds of magic that many magicians learn as a foundation. It’s a technique that anyone who calls themselves a full-fledged magician would have mastered. She relearned this basic magic at the academy and honed it in a short period of time.

—By pre-emptively learning the movements with magic, she was able to control it without chanting, using simple commands.

As a result, her close combat ability had improved overwhelmingly. She had become capable of handling both the vanguard and the rearguard on her own. Even experienced magicians couldn’t maneuver this deftly; it was a display of a natural talent and sense, separate from skill level.

“【O Flames/ Sing, O Flams—Force】.” -Shizuku

Taking the opportunity when she had made the omen bird back off, she continued her chant. She had completely covered the weakness of a magician, the chanting time.

Damn, am I not needed anymore?

Such a self-deprecating thought crossed his mind, but Ur immediately shook his head, discarding the negative thoughts. Being a hindrance wasn’t something new. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t become more of a hindrance and should exert all the strength he could muster right now!

“Hit ‘em!!” -Ur

His body was already recovering, and he could feel his strength returning. Ur grasped a sharp, pointed stone from the ground, swung his arm, flexed, and released it. The stone launched from his palm hit near the omen bird’s eyeball.

『ＫＵＫＥＥＥＥ！！？』

The omen bird screamed when the stone suddenly hit near its eye.

Although it wasn’t a direct hit, the aim wasn’t bad. Every creature has vital spots that can’t be fortified. It seems that attacks on the eye area are effective on omen birds too. But as a result, it seems he had attracted some unnecessary hate.

『ＭＯＫＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥＥ！！！！』

As if expressing anger, the omen bird swung its long neck back and forth.

Then, spreading its wings, it leaped.

“Here comes ‘that’!”  -Shizuku

At Shizuku’s warning, Ur braced himself, preparing the crystal golem shield. That attack was the same one that had caused Ur to be poisoned before.

The omen bird, having leapt high into the air, swung its wings in front of it as if crossing them. It looked as if it was merely flapping its wings, but with that motion, countless “somethings” began to fall towards Ur and the others.

“……!” -Ur

They were feathers. Feathers from the Poison Omen Bird. As hard as iron, feathers dyed with the blood and poison of the omen bird. A super wide-range attack using feathers sharp enough to penetrate even thin armor. Just a moment ago, Ur had been struck in the gap of his leg joint by one of these, receiving a dose of poison.

“Fuck!!” -Ur

Ur made himself as small as possible and hid behind his shield. Immediately, countless impacts hammered down on the shield. He was relieved that the crystal golem shield didn’t become brittle from the poison, but he still wanted to avoid getting poisoned again at all costs.

Bird feathers don’t normally stick into armor!!

While holding back his anger, he deflected them. But of course, the omen bird’s attack was not over yet. The bird, having taken flight, then dropped its massive body towards Ur and his companions, baring its poison claws.

“……!!” -Ur

If they took the hit, they would be crushed and killed without even needing to be poisoned!

Ur kicked off the ground. Right after, the omen bird rapidly descended to where Ur had been just a moment before. The ground exploded like a bomb had gone off, and debris, large and small, hit Ur’s armor. Staggering, Ur desperately tried to regain his posture and landed.

『ＭＯＫＥＫＥＫＥＫＥＫＥ！！』

The omen bird was clearly not pleased with receiving a stone to the face. It had clearly shifted its target towards Ur. It was dangerous, but also convenient. No matter how versatile Shizuku had become, she was still a magician at heart. She couldn’t be continuously exposed to the front line.

This omen bird didn’t seem to be very smart. Its choice of targets was sloppy. Leading it was easy.

That’s why they had chosen ‘this strategy.’

“Ur-sama, what about the poison?” -Shizuku

“I’m fine. But, I had to use one of my treasured 【Phoenix’s Tears】. I’ve got one left.” -Ur

Shizuku moved behind him and spoke. Ur responded while still cautious of the poisonous feathers.

“We still can’t deal effective damage.” -Shizuku

“No, it’s fine. If we attack too much, it will flee.” -Ur

If they inflicted effective damage, it would flee. It could run around the dungeon and recover. They needed to restrain it and lead it, buying time. Time for Lynne to complete the magic circle——

“……it’s tough.” -Ur

It was tougher than expected.

The omen bird’s means of attack were more varied than he had imagined. They hadn’t even reached half the necessary time, and not only were their supplies wearing down, but their physical strength was being depleted severely. Shizuku was also using too much magic, even if it was to support him after he’d been poisoned. They couldn’t keep this up.

Were things going well on their side?

Thinking about Lynne and Rock, who were acting as a separate unit, Ur clenched his teeth and resumed the battle of endurance.

　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

『……Hmm, this is tough. 』-Rock

In another place, near the Poison Mushroom Swamp, a little away from it, in the shadow of the trees where the swamp could be overlooked, Rock expressed the same sentiment as Ur.

Currently, Rock was on duty as a guard, and his charge was Lynne.

“…………kh” -Lynne

She was single-mindedly continuing to carve a magic circle into the ground. She must already be in a state of【concentration】, as she showed no reaction to Rock’s muttering. She kept working. It had been over an hour already. However, the formula for the spell was still not complete.

Three hours.

That was the time she had declared to Ur and the others as necessary to activate the magic that would surely defeat the Poison Omen Bird. That meant there were two hours left. During that time, she would be completely defenseless. Rock had to protect her until the end.

Beyond the perimeter of her magic circle, a barrier had been laid. It was a barrier created by Shizuku, and its invisible and magic-blocking multilayer structure was supposed to protect her completely from the surroundings… but that was not the case.

Sight and magic had been cut off. Monsters that used these two faculties would not approach.

However, other things, such as sound or smell, or monsters with senses completely different from those, could not be repelled. Those were the ones Rock had to confront. So, he had been protecting her, for an entire hour.

And as a result, things had turned dire.

『Hmm, this won’t do. 』 -Rock

『ＧＩＧＩＧＩＧＩＧＧＩ……』

Giant beetles were surrounding them. The strange noises of mole crickets could be heard. There was a feeling that countless monsters were glaring down from the trees. It was a complete dilemma.

At first, it was fine. There was hardly any sign of monsters, and even those spotted from afar didn’t seem to approach. Rock was so relaxed that he could even say “This is boring.”

But then, perhaps by misfortune, as they were right in the path, a large-horned beetle approached, and the situation gradually worsened after Rock inevitably dealt with it. At first, it was a coincidence, but little by little, the number of monsters noticing the presence near this barrier increased. The sounds of battle, the smell of blood from the monsters left as corpses, fighting only drew more monsters to them.

An hour had passed, and the area outside the barrier was already saturated.

『This is impossible. I can’t keep fighting alone while protecting. 』 -Rock

Staying in one place in a dungeon is difficult.

Among adventurers, this is one of the common pieces of knowledge. The reasons vary depending on the dungeon. Monsters keep appearing. Paths change. Traps close in. The magical energy in the air becomes poisonous and torments the inhabitants, among other things.

There are places called ‘safe points’ in the dungeons, but most other places are designed to prevent you from stopping. They are made to “entice you deeper.”

And it seems that the Dungeon of Sin, Lust is no exception to this rule.

A unique phenomenon of this dungeon is that the corpses of the monsters remain, which attracts new monsters. The more you defeat, the more traces there are, and the more monsters keep coming. Fortunately, the target monster, the omen bird, is currently being lured by Ur and Shizuku, but soon Rock will reach his limit alone.

『HAHA, this plan is a failure, Ur. Or maybe it’s a ‘failure as expected’. 』-Rock

Ur had “anticipated” this situation to a certain extent. They had stopped the investigation and started a full-fledged subjugation. Naturally, the situation is different from when they were surveying. Failure is a possibility. That’s all there is to it. Rock was not panicking. He had been thoroughly advised by Ur that this might happen.

　―― Don’t skimp on items and such. Just be prepared for failure.

Currently, his master is Shizuku, but her boss is Ur. Rock does not have any complaints about Ur’s opinions or way of thinking. Despite his young age, his judgments are calm, and he is not afraid of failure. He plans his strategies based on the premise of failure.

Rock’s memories of his own life are vague, but he thinks that people who can make decisions like Ur are quite rare. Everyone is afraid of failure. If you fail, there are many things you lose. It also creates discord among people. A leader who can act with the understanding and preparedness for failure is invaluable.

In short, Rock rather likes Ur, though he doesn’t say it out loud.

『Oops』-Rock

Rock felt the flow of magic from within his pocket and touched it. The 【Resonance Stones】, a pair of small magical stones. If squeezed tightly, a small magic light ignites, and the other stone lights up simultaneously without being held. Ur and Rock, each holding one, had decided to use this as a signal for retreat.

In other words, Ur could no longer continue the fight. Of course, the same was true for Rock.

『Well, that’s how it goes. Hey, Lynne, we’re heading back~. 』-Rock

“――――――――――――！！” -Lynne

『Can’t you hear? Well, can’t be helped. 』-Rock

Rock, without hesitation, scooped up her small body, which was still trying to complete the magic circle, and briskly made his escape, kicking aside only the necessary monsters as he retreated.

Thus, the first day of the full-out subjugation of the Poison Omen Bird ended in a great failure.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!