Akatsuki Translations

Financial Guild, Golden Phoenix Lust Branch

In the VIP Room, currently the workplace of Diz Fenex.

“So that’s why, after pouring all the funds into it, something weird has been created.” -Ur

《You’re always doin’ something crazy, Nii-tan. 》-Akane

Ur, as usual, was reporting the current situation to Akane and being met with her amazement. It’s been like this lately. Before becoming an adventurer, it was supposed to be Akane who was carefree and always a cause for worry, with Ur being the one exasperated by her, but now it’s completely the opposite.

The reason is that currently, Ur is the one who both says and does reckless things. Sadly. He wished he could quit this reckless, unreasonable, and foolhardy adventurer’s life soon.

“Hey, is it okay if I ask?” -Lynne

In the usual conversation between the siblings, today there was an additional participant. It was Lynne. She surveyed the surroundings with an even more puzzled expression than her usual sullen one.

“This place, I heard it’s where the woman who’s holding your sister hostage lives.” -Lynne

“That’s not wrong. By the way, when I came back here, we missed each other and I didn’t see your face, Lynne.” -Ur

《This’s that woman’s house. 》-Akane

This place is indeed the workplace of the woman who is harboring Ur’s sister, Akane, and plotting her dissection. Currently, the woman is absent due to work, and only Ur, Akane, and Lynne are present.

A guild member whose face had already become familiar had told them, “She’s out for a bit due to work, so feel free to relax in her room,” and that’s exactly what they did, relaxing inside. Lying sprawled on the provided sofa. They were quite accustomed to it.

“You seem very relaxed.” -Lynne

“The consecutive days of rush jobs and dungeon ventures have worn me out…” -Ur

《Are you sleepy, Nii-tan? 》-Akane

“I agree that I’m tired, but…” -Ur

The stress from the funds gathered for the fight against the Poison Omen Bird, and the time and funds spent on chariot construction that far exceeded expectations, were overwhelming. He had imagined that the result would be something much simpler and more makeshift, essentially just a cart with ramparts around it, but the situation kept piling up with problems, which was nothing but terrifying.

So, having successfully completed it (whether it’s truly safe to say ‘successfully’ is beside the point for now), Ur was relaxing. Tomorrow was the scheduled day for combat with the omen bird, so today was the only day to rest body and soul.

“It’s impressive how you can relax in the room of someone who’s trying to kill your sister.” -Lynne

“We’re friends, after all.” -Ur

“…Why?” -Lynne

“Well, I honestly don’t really understand either.” -Ur

Ur was met with a genuinely puzzled face, so he honestly expressed his confusion as well. It’s true that Diz is a friend, but why they became friends is something Ur doesn’t quite understand. There’s no doubt he found her strict separation of public and private life strangely refreshing.

It’s a rather foolish sense of crisis considering Akane’s safety. If someone said he was brainwashed, he couldn’t really deny it, but he also didn’t feel like denying someone he thought well of.

Sensing Ur’s reaction, Lynne decided to let it go and looked at Akane.

“Is she the reason you fight? How cute.” -Lynne

“Yes, she’s Akane. My sister. She’s cute.” -Ur

《Cute, right?! 》-Akane

“Yes, a sister who is a familiar… wait a minute.” -Lynne

Lynne smiled slightly, but then her expression turned serious as she stared intently at Akane. The more she looked, the more stern her expression became. She took out a pair of glasses, engraved with some sort of magic tool or spell, from her pocket, put them on, and then,

“…What is this child?” -Lynne

“My sister.” -Ur

《A human.》-Akane

“A human’s sister wouldn’t be such a creature.” -Lynne

It seems there’s a reason she’s already earned enough credits to graduate from Lautaro Magic Academy. Ur sighed in resignation. It wasn’t a conversation to have openly, but since she was part of the group now, it was only a matter of time.

“She’s a spirit-bound. My sister.” -Ur

Akane changed her fairy-like form into a wiggly shape, then transformed into a young girl.

“…I’ve never seen this before.” -Lynne

After a long silence, Lynne spoke in a quivering voice. Her expression was one of astonishment, likely something Ur had never seen since they met. She tentatively touched Akane’s cheek with her trembling fingers. Akane squinted as if tickled.

“…【Oh Noble and Exalted One】.” -Lynne

Then, suddenly realizing something, Lynne quickly cut her finger and offered a prayer. It was the same prayer that priests and citizens at the temple offered to spirits. The prayer became “light” and headed towards Akane, but,

《What’s this? 》-Akane

Pop. It burst right in front of her.

“…you can’t offer a prayer?” -UR

Normally, heartfelt prayers to spirits become power and are offered directly to them. They are a source of strength, bestowed upon the spirits, who in turn grant their benefactors, the humans, blessings from the spirits and the Sun God. But for some reason, this wasn’t possible with Akane.

“It’s because she’s mixed with human… I guess. Unlike normal spirits, she can’t directly convert prayers into power.” -Lynne

She prefers liquids. This is how she replenishes her energy, being in between human and spirit.

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.” -Lynne

《Nice try? 》-Akane

“Akane, that’s probably not right.” -Ur

Akane laughed happily and began to ride on Lynne’s shoulders. Akane riding on the small Lynne looked like a pair of hobbits, a parent and child, but before Ur could stop them,

“Excuse me.” -Lynne

Lynne, with Akane still on her shoulders, began to walk around the room. Akane seemed to be enjoying herself.

“…You’re used to this, huh?” -Ur

“At the Temple, it’s essential to deal with whimsical spirits that occasionally descend.” -Lynne

Spirits are ambiguous, uncertain, and often capricious. Sometimes they must be treated like children. Yet, they are superior beings, and angering them could lead to unpredictable consequences, while their blessings can be greatly beneficial. Proper handling was necessary.

“I see, befitting of someone with an official position.” -Ur

“I’m not a priest. I just got used to it helping my grandmother, who was a priest.” -Lynne

After a round of indoor running, satisfied, Akane gently got down, and Lynne once again observed her with great interest.

“…So spirit-bound really do exist…” -Lynne

“Is it that rare?” -Ur

“Not just rare. Probably no one at Lautaro has ever seen a spirit-bound.” -Lynne

“Not even the priests?” -Ur

“Not even them. Even the chief priest, the Shinra, probably has never seen one.” -Lynne

Lynne affirmed a bit angrily to Ur’s nonchalant remarks. To those who understand, his ignorance could be frustrating. He didn’t realize Akane’s worth, and it would probably be best not to brag about her being an irreplaceable existence.

“How did this happen, this person…” -Lynne

“A relative who fancied himself an adventurer just happened to find a spirit egg by chance and got mixed up with my sister.” -Ur

“By chance?” -Lynne

“It was actually by chance. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you want to see it.” -Ur

No matter how rare, since the existence of spirit-bound individuals is confirmed, it’s not a figment of delusion. Therefore, it’s bound to occur sometime, somewhere. It just so happened to occur to Ur’s sister. That’s really all there is to it. As if by a stroke of luck, like hitting the jackpot in a gamble. It was just chance, an unfortunate fortune, with no inevitable pull of fate for Ur, his sister, or of course, their father who found the egg.

“If my sister hadn’t been spirit-bound, we wouldn’t have had to use her as collateral for a loan, our dad wouldn’t have wasted money and died, and all of this wouldn’t have happened… talk about bad luck.” -Ur

It’s ironic that there’s not a single benefit from his sister becoming a higher being. As an adventurer, he had exploited her existence, but if Akane hadn’t become spirit-bound, there would have been no need for him to shine as an adventurer.

Hearing Ur’s lament, Lynne nodded in understanding.

“Her existence is your reason to fight.” -Lynne

“Well, that’s about it. In the end, my goal is to do what I want.” -Ur

Lynne had come here wanting to know Ur’s purpose, just as she had stated her desire to know his. Just as Ur wanted to understand her purpose, she also wanted to understand his. Mutual understanding is important, Ur agreed, and he took her to see Akane.

“Any complaints?” -Ur

“No, at least you’re more sensible than I am.” -Lynne

“I think it’s respectable to restore the honor of a past great person.” -Ur

When Ur said that, Lynne made a slightly puzzled face.

“You affirm my way of being even though you seem to have no interest in honor, only in what’s necessary for your purpose.” -Lynne

“Our values are probably different, Lynne.” -Ur

Ur honestly couldn’t understand the values of staking one’s life on honor and pride, but he acknowledged and didn’t deny such ways of being.

He had seen many people while wandering from city to city. An elderly beastperson who devoted her life to spreading the teachings of the spirit she worshipped, a hobbit knight captain who poured endless love into the city he protected as part of the knights’ order. A dwarf who secluded himself from the city, tirelessly working to create the ideal weapon from the ideal mineral.

While Ur might not always sympathize with their values, he never denied them. His travels had taught him tolerance towards the incomprehensible, at least as long as those values did not harm him or his sister.

“So, as long as it doesn’t harm my sister, feel free to make the Leyline name resound.” -Ur

“And as long as you don’t tarnish the Leyline name, feel free to do whatever it takes to help your sister.” -Lynne

It seemed that a mutual understanding had been established.

Their purposes aligned. To make the Leyline name resound. Fame was necessary for that, and, unfortunately, there were restrictions in the land of Last. Therefore, it was inevitable that they needed to make their mark as adventurers. To gain recognition, earn money, and rise in status – Ur’s path intersected with his goals.

She had various problems of her own, but setting those aside, it was fortunate that she had joined him in his crazy journey as a companion willing to walk the same path.

“So… what about Shizuku?” -Lynne

“That’s something you’ll need to confirm with her. It’s not my place to say.” -Ur

Her purpose had been discussed in that small temple on that day, but it probably wasn’t something that should be openly talked about. Unless she herself chose to explain, Ur had no intention of speaking without permission.

Lynne nodded, finding his words reasonable, but then said,

“That girl… she’s, well, strange.” -Lynne

“Shizuku is kind, you know?” -Ur

“Yes, she is kind… but still, strange…” -Lynne

Ur nodded in agreement with her description of ‘strange.’

“You’re right, that woman is truly strange.” -Ur

“Is that okay?” -Lynne

“It’s not okay. Don’t relax. Be worried. If she tries to pull something, tell me right away.” -Ur

“I’ll… stay on guard.” -Lynne

She was a comrade, a friend, but also a woman not to be taken lightly.

“And what about Rock?” -Lynne

“A dumbass.” -Ur

“I see…” -Lynne

For Ur, Rock was preferable to Shizuku simply because he was straightforward, with no hidden sides. Having completed his first life as a human and decided to enjoy his second, this man was remarkably easy to understand. Though Ur couldn’t quite grasp his joy at becoming a carriage.

“…Is this group gonna be alright?” -Lynne

“No fuckin’ way, White King Formation geek.” -Ur

“I’ll kill you if you mock it.” -Lynne

“Yes ma’am.” -Ur

It seems they’re not quite alright.

　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

After that, Lynne continued to respond seriously to Akane, who was playfully clinging to her. Currently, with a serious expression, she is fondly pinching Akane’s cheeks.

“Even so, to be spirit-bound… for a spirit to gain a body…” -Lynne

《Munyamyahehe 》-Akane

Akane laughed in a ticklish manner. Her behavior was just like that of a cute little girl.

“How are spirit-bound perceived in the temples, do you know?” -Ur

Ur generally didn’t take Akane to the temple. Partly because Ur, who didn’t have city citizenship and was a “Nameless” person, needed proper permission and inspection to enter the temple, and more importantly, he had no idea how Akane’s existence would be treated.

When asked, Lynne thought for a moment and said,

“Spirits, the embodiments of the laws of this world, for us to even speak on their existence is impertinent.” -Lynne

“I see.” -Ur

“…At least, that’s what I think.” -Lynne

“I see.” -Ur

Apparently, not everyone shares that view.

“Many people have strong faith in spirits. There’s a possibility she could be overly venerated, or conversely, there could be attempts to deny her existence entirely.” -Lynne

“It’s probably safer not to get too close, then?” -Ur

“Priests are a privileged class within the city. From you, a ‘Nameless’, they could take the spirit under the guise of protection… if they can determine she’s bound by one, that is.” -Lynne

After all, even students from the continent’s leading Lautaro Magic Academy could only realize Akane’s true nature up close, and even then only after an explanation from Ur. While her existence is certain, those who can discern a rare spirit-bound individual are not many.

Just as Medal at the academy mistakenly believed, most would probably mistake her for a familiar.

“As long as we don’t carelessly get too close, I don’t think she’ll be noticed.” -Lynne

“But if someone sharp has already noticed and made her collateral for money, it’s too late to do anything about it.” -Ur

《Saaaaad. 》-Akane

Whether or not they are cautious of the Temple, Akane is already in the hands of those who would dissect her for research. Perhaps it would have been better if she had been caught by the Temple.

“I was wondering about that, but how did the Moneylenders’ Guild figure out Akane’s true nature?” -Lynne

《There was a sharp old man. 》-Akane

Akane answers Lynne’s question. Ur remembers that first magic stone mine.

《Dad was in trouble with money and blabbed about me, then I was spotted. 》-Akane

No matter how rare and unnoticeable she was to people, if a family member spills the beans, it’s all for nothing.

“Zaza had a first-class nose for sniffing out anything of value.” -Ur

At that moment, the owner of the room and the subject of the conversation, returned. Diz had also been out doing “work” today, perhaps somewhere, as she entered wearing her cloak and sat down on the sofa with a slightly tired expression.

“Hey,” Ur tried to greet her, but before he could, Lynne stood up.

“A-ah… it’s the 【Hero】!!” -Lynne

Diz’s full name is Diz Gran Fenex. She, too, belongs to the privileged class holding an official position in the Temple. Hence, Ur thought there might be a chance she was acquainted with him, but her reaction was far greater than he expected.

As Diz appeared before him, she bowed her head just as she did when facing Akane.

“Hey, Leyline. It’s been a while.” -Diz

“It is an honor to meet you again after such a long time, 【Hero】.” -Lynne

Her tone was mixed with genuine respect.

“See, Ur? This is the proper way to show respect to the Seven Heavens.” -Diz

“I could do it, but then we wouldn’t be friends anymore, right?” -Ur

“I don’t want that.” -Diz

“You don’t, huh…” -Ur

If she says she doesn’t, then that’s that.