Chapter 63

Chapter 63

SPEAR MASTER AND THE BLACK CAT CHAPTER 63

Sixty-Third Episode~ Peru Hekarain Corridor

I'll go to the guild today .

First, I touch my storage .

The usual display window appears .

I put the silver crystal halberd in the item box .

I click on the person mark in the upper window .

The window changes and the deformed alien screen appears .

The black tanza spear use to be registered in the upper right, but its name has disappeared .

The broken tanza spear was lost during the Evil Dragon King subjugation and since it didn't return to the item box this much is natural .

I register the silver crystal halberd in the blank on the right .

Equip Silver Crystal Halberd in right hand? Y/N

I select Y .

Yosh, it's registered .

With this, I can take out the halberd instantly .

I dismiss the window and go directly to the adventurer's guild .

I enter the guild and walk to the place where the boards are lined up .

I'm getting a fresh start as a C rank .

I should be able to handle these requests until I get the new equipment from the Dwarf Brothers .

I'll spend some time looking for the right request .

I look over the boards the adventurers are lined up in front of .

Oh, this request . The time period is just right .

□■□■

Client: Pisard Trading Company

Request Contents: B Rank Request, Search the Peru Hekarain Labyrinth and collect jellium bones .

Application period: The last fifteen days of spring . Departing this afternoon .

Subjugation Targets: Main Goblins, Orc, Jelliumbon .

Habitat: Peru Hekarain Corridor

Reward: 15 gold coins .

Subjugation Evidence: Goblin Ear, Orc Ear, Jellium bone .

Precautions: In the Corridor Labyrinth, traps require attention as well . Jellium bones appear inside the labyrinth . Defeating them is difficult, so bring someone with a magic skill or priest type .

Note: Please gather in front of "Sukaue Pub" if you're accepting the request . Furthermore, High Ranking clan [Aria's Wanderer] will be participating as a leader . The purpose is to collect Jellium bones, each person is expected to collect five kilos .

Any more collected will be a special bonus . Also, if any black kotobuki grass or ririumu crystal is obtained, I will buy it at a high price .

Furthermore, an Orc Ear is a silver coin, and a Goblin ear is five large copper coins .

□■□■

Forty-five days of the Taurus of spring... How many days is that now?

Until now, I haven't paid too much attention to the dates...

There is a huge calendar posted near the reception desk .

I'll look at it .

...Today seems to be forty-five days .

The last day of the request . I still have time . Let's take this .

"Rollo, let's take this one . "

"Nya . "

Rollo stares at the request paper .

She can't read it...Following her gaze, the edge of parchment is torn and shaking...

I see .

She wants to play, smiling at Rollo, I take one of the wooden tallies from below the board and bring it to the reception desk .

The big-breast receptionist-san who has always taken care of me isn't there, so I go to the beastwoman with dog ears .

"This request . "

I hand over the tally and my card together .

"Hai . Then, place your hand on the crystal . "

"Okay . "

The request is accepted smoothly .

I need to ask about where the meeting point is .

"Excuse me . Where is the Sukaue bar?"

"It's across the street . On the other side of Babon shop . "

"The other side . Thanks . "

Oh . It was on the other side of the street .

Right in front of me . I retrieve my adventurer's card and leave the guild .

I check the card while walking with Rollo .

The request is long, but I'm not worried .

I have plenty of food store, and there is also warm soup in the item box .

I make the halberd appear in my right hand and lean it against my shoulder .

I cross the street and arrive a Babon's .

There should be a bar behind it .

I check my card first .

Name: Shuya Kagari

Age: 22

Title: Dragon Killer

Race: Human

Occupation: Rank C Adventurer

Clan: None

Battle Occupation: Spear Officer : Chain User

Completed Requests: 9

My completed requests number nine . Ooh, I have a title now .

I also got the right from the Marquess, alongside the rumors...

Now then...

In front of Babon's, instead of going in I walk along the right side of the building .

There is a space in the alley with a building appropriate for a pub .

Adventurers are standing around so this must be the place .

I make my way in that direction .

"Taking the request?"

The one who calls out is a Dwarf with the bearings of a warrior .

He is wearing a Norman Helm from the middle ages, the kind that covers the nose . His hair is in braids all the way to his side burns and collected into bunches with metal fittings . He has a jaw protector called a beaver hanging from his neck .

The Japanese version of a face guard .

I can't remember what its name is .

Although I say that, the weapons and armor in this world don't necessarily have the same names .

I can't make out the Dwarf's face because of the helmet, but his browns eyes are striking .

His body is clothed in chain mail, the ax hanging from his hip contains mana, and his left-hand holds a round steel shield .

The Dwarf seems to be an experienced soldier .

I ask .

"...That's right . This is the last day, but is it okay?"

"It's fine . Did you accept the request in the guild?"

That's right .

"I did . "

"You're kind of close to the deadline, aren't you? It'll be the noon deadline soon . We probably can't hear it from here, but the church bells should be ringing soon . "

After saying so, the Dwarf shields his eyes with his hand and looks up at the sky .

I watch the sky too .

Rollo also looks at the sky, similarly drawn in .

The sun is at its zenith .

The Dwarf looks back and speaks .

"...That's the bell . Then, I'll introduce myself . I'm Shuya Kagari . Just call me Shuya . C rank adventurer . The one at my feet is Rollodinu . Call her Rollo . She's my Familiar . "

The Dwarf looks at Rollo and nods .

"A spear and a familiar . We'll be working together . Shuya . I'm a Dwarf . (TL: Something formal greeting preceded by "Dwarf") I'm Igu, B ranked adventurer (TL: Author getting lazy on the names . ) . No need to be so formal . "

Once Igu and I greet each other, the other adventurers assemble .

"Yo, Igu, a new adventurer?"

The one who speaks is a tiger beastman with a long neck .

"Ou, that's right . "

"Nice to meet you, I'm Shuya . "

The tiger beastman and Igu seem to know one another .

"I'm Albert Cheida . I'm B rank, like Igu . I'm from the Fujiku Federation, you already know my tribe name, we'll be working together from here on . You seem to be a spearman? Your armor is beat up, but I can feel the aura you give off . "

The tiger beast-man's realistic nose twitches .

Aura?

Ma, I smile politely .

"Uhh, there's such an aura?"

"Nn, Nya . "

When I ask, Rollo calls out from my feet .

Is she curious in the tiger beastman's face?

She's staring at Albert's face .

Ma, it's life like . It looks like the combination of a human and a tiger .

Azora was a rabbit beastwoman, but his face was still closer to human, but this tiger beastman is closer to an animal .

Brown and white hair mixed with ochre, the white whiskers on either side of his nose are very tiger-like .

Despite that, he speaks the same language...

"...That's right . I have the unique "smell sense" of scouts . I can pick up the smell of a person with a strong aura . I'm not much use in battle though . I'm better suited to searching for enemies and disarming traps . I specialize in daggers and this bow . "

Then, Igu interrupts .

"Agaaaiin . That sense? Isn't that the sense that's only useful in one way?"

The Dwarf makes an indecent hand gesture and teases Albert .

"Honestly, however, I, unfortunately, can't retort..." (TL: I didn't mean to do this, but now it's captain kirkified . )

"Hahaha, that's right . You're the razor beastman responsible for impregnating barmaids . "

Heh, Razor . Is the tiger beastman race called Razor?

"That's a lie, nothing but a rumor . I only enjoy conversation . "

"Hou, at the bar the other day, Eyo was talking about it . 'Rumor says, Ai-chan, is very beautiful,' did you go out with her?"

"Uoo, Eyo... huh, why, Igu hearing such a story . "

While such a silly conversation is developing, a woman wearing the robe, seeming to be the leader, speaks up .

"Everyone, it's time to leave soon, please gather . "

"Hai . "

"Ou . "

Igu finishes his conversation with Albert and walks over to where they're being called .

I follow along .

It seems several people have taken the same request .

The woman wearing a priest-like hat steps forward .

"I am Sokura Torutsetta . The leader of the adventurer clan, [Aria's Wanderer] . For this request I will act as the leader . As written on the request form, the goal is obtained Jellium bones . When fighting the Jelliums, please leave weakening them with magic to me . "

Igu raises his ax in greeting .

"Understood . My ax will crush the enemy into fish paste . "

He declares forcefully .

"Hai . I have high hopes for you, Igu-san . Then, everyone, keep in mind that a Jellium's head is its weakness . Furthermore, you will also be fighting goblins and orcs . For those, I will leave it up to your judgment . And then, a prayer before we transfer . It's expected the assemble again . Then, let's go register at the guild as a party . "

Those in the area nod to what Sokura-san said and begin to walk towards the guild .

I've heard of [Aria's Wanderer] .

THe members all wear uniforms .

That robe, it's made from a special material . Magic characters are embroidered in black and reddish-brown, imbued with mana .

Because the collar of the robe is lower cut I can easily see her chest . (TL: There he is . )

A normal sized pair of hills . The appearance is a little bold, like a priest .

Under the long skirt is a long hakama .

Only Sokura-san, the leader, has a slightly different appearance, wearing a yellow and red band like a muffler around her neck .

Her eyes are green . She has a babyish face and a small nose .

The woman looks cute .

The blood vessels in her thin hand are visible as it holds on to a large staff .

The staff is designed to look like two intertwining snakes .

While I'm checking out Sokura-san, she speaks .

"Excuse me . Are you Shuya-san, the Spearman?"

Nn? She knows my name?

"Hai . I am . "

"I was right, the black cat on your shoulder is right, but your armor was ragged, so I wasn't sure . "

Ara? This, what is she talking about?

"Um...somewhere?"

Seeming unconfident, Sokura bows and responds .

"Sorry, that was abrupt . I saw you during the Evil Dragon King battle . I was doing support in the back, so I remember well the role [Crimson Tiger's Tempest] and Shuya-san played . "

"Oh, that time . "

"Yes, also, Shuya-san is one of the 'Dragon Killers,' only he is a solo adventurer, none of the clans have a "Spearman" that powerful? Competition has been going . "

Eeh, such a thing?

I did decline Crimson Tiger's invitation...

"Haha, such a thing..."

"Nn, Nya . "

Rollo puts on an encouraging face and slaps my shoulder with a paw .

"Hai, that's right . That's our aim, too . "

"Eeh?"

"I'm joking . However, you live well during the Evil Dragon King subjugation . "

She says jokingly with a serious face . Then returns to normal .

"Haha, it was quite a fierce battle . I was on the brink and fought hard . "

She nods, convinced by my words, the answers with a sinking face .

"Yes, it was a hard-fought battle . Many of my companions died..."

"...My condolences . I was able to meet Azora and her magic beast..."

-The image of Pau and Azora dying .

Sokura-san seems to notice the change in my expression and puts a smile back on, continuing the conversation .

"...Well then, we'll end this dark line of conversation and return to the request . You can speak casually . We're an A ranked clan, but all of our members are rear guards . "

"I understand . I'm confident in my spear, so leave it to me . "

"Hai, well then, let's go . "

"Ou . "

As the leader, Sokura-san goes through the procedures at the guild .

She writes down the party name as Aria's Wanderer and registers .

From the transfer point in front of the guild, everyone metastasizes together .

We arrive in a large underground corridor .

The place the magic formation is place is a wide circle .

It looks like it used to be a quarry .

Statues of different gods are lined up along the walls .

There are ascending stairs at the back .

While I am looking around restlessly, Sokura raises her voice .

"Well then, everyone . Please wait a moment . This is necessary to return safely . "

Sokura-san says in a quiet tone .

She walks towards a goddess statue along the wall .

Some people are kneeling down and praying before the goddess statue .

It's not only priest and shrine maidens, but there are also knights and adventurers praying .

So it's the same in this labyrinth?

I can't hear from here, but Sokura-san begins chanting .

I hear an unfamiliar language magic .

The other members or Aria Wanderer do the same .

After chanting, they bring their hands together like Christians and pray .

A few minutes later, they return .

I'm curious, so I try asking about it .

"Prayer?"

"Yeah, that's right . It's a prayer to Aria, the goddess of love . Even though it may look like this, there is no need to waver in the labyrinth . "

Oh? What?

"No times to waiver?"

"Yes . All the members of [Aria's Wanderer] have the skill <Reincarnation>, so we can rest easy . "

Hoo, a spell and a skill at the same time...

Ooh, therefore, the statues of the gods are placed at the beginning of the labyrinths .

Is this a benefit if you believe in one of the pantheons .

Should I pray for good luck with women? Hehe .

""Thank you, Aria, Goddess of Love!!"

As if sensing my impure motive, such a cry comes up from behind making me jump .

It came from two of the clan members of [Aria's Wanderer] behind Sokuro .

Sokuro-san continues talking .

"Everyone, the protective magic is raised on everyone . "

She raises her large staff .

"...Goddess Aria . With my mana's cornerstone, bestow a safeguard- "

As soon as the spell is cast, the staff's two snakes start to wriggle .

Two pairs of shining eyes, an illusion of a pale goddess appears over Sokura .

When the chant ends, the snakes return to their original shape .

Oooh .

Somehow...it looked similar to the goddess statue .

Including me, a pale shield floats around the heads of Sokura's party members, it disappears when it sinks into everyone's bodies .

There is a feeling when the magic takes hold .

It feels like a force field...

A pale layer under armor and clothes, it floats on the surface of the skin .

This is awesome .

I don't completely understand the scale of this kind of magic, but [Aria's Wanderer], and Sokura-san in particular, truly are high ranking adventurers .

However, The goddess Aria, it is difficult to accept the idea of adventurers fighting monsters with the goddess of love, like a oxymoron?

A simple question comes to mind .

"Sokura-san, I have a question, do you mind?"

"Hai . What is it?"

"Why do you worship the goddess of love by fighting?"

Sokura answers my ignorant question with a doting expression .

"That...I do know the teaching of Aria-kami . The famous prophet Raze said 'because there is love, there is war . ' Raze-sama roamed while teaching Aria-kami's faith before finding sacred Cordelia, following such doctrine, those of us who become priests of Aria-kami wander everywhere, spreading the word . The teachings of Aria-kami are to fight . Therefore, it's natural for people to fight monsters and vice versa-"

The sermon I didn't need continued .

I saw the name Raze in a book before .

...I advance in the labyrinth while the conversation that sounds like religious brainwashing continues .

Like that, Sokura leads while preaching, and begins searching the corridor .

Fitting for the "Great" in great corridor, the underground corridors are so big that giant trees could grow here . They were supposedly dug out by ancient Dwarfs, although who and for what reason hasn't been explained, the only thing known is that the corridors stretch all way to [Labyrinth City Pernette] .

So, it seems to be related to the name Peru Heka Rain .

We continue through the underground corridors .

There is a geometric pattern on the stone wall, releasing white and purple light, providing a faint source of light .

There are a few dark areas, but there is light coming from stones shaped like plants so it is possible to advance .

Some traps with ejecting stone spears and rolling rocks are discovered, but Albert plays an active roll . The traps are all dismantled .

Like that, it is quickly the third day .

Most of the monsters appearing are goblins .

The adventurers easily wipe out the goblins .

The third day passes .

Dismantling traps, killing monsters, we advance deeper into the labyrinth .

Thus, Sokura gives the party instructions .

We are to take a break .

Food time .

I move to a corner and remove fresh soup from the item box .

I eat rice together with Rollo, a big stupid grin on my face .

While I am like that,

"Shuya, always...don't eat in secret . "

"Moreover, you have an item box... every single time it smells so good . "

"I'm only able to eat hard bread, salted meat, and dry vegetables . "

Igu and Albert, unable to stand their meals, bemoan their discomfort .

It's become a little awkward, I should share some...

"My bad . You want a little?"

"Oh, really?"

"Shuya, you're a good person, let's be friends . "

"Well, I-I want a little soup too..."

Ara, even Sokura wants some .

Ma, it's fine . I still have plenty of food . I start taking some out .

"Ah, good . I'll take some out now . "

Like that, I occasionally share some food during meal time .

The meal ends, and for several hours Igu removes his helmet and lies down .

Rollo, curious, creeps up on Igu .

"What's wrong, kitty?"

Igu shakes his dreadlocks and looks at Rollo .

The metal fitting binding his hair make a tinging sound .

"Nyao . "

Rollo seems focused on Igu face, no, on his hair . She moves her face close to the metal fitting and sniffs them .

Ah, if you're going to do that- her face .

Flehmen response . (TL: Felines have an olfactory organ on the roof of their mouth, so they'll sometimes bear their fangs so it can get a better smell . )

"-Bu, fuhaha, Igu, the cat says you smell bad . "

Albert laughs, spiting out the tea he was drinking .

"Wh- what, this black cat, it's being mean . "

"Nn, Nyaon . "

Although it smells, Rollo takes another sniff .

Again, she shows the same face .

"Fuhaha . "

I laugh too .

"Fuun, everyone is laughing, even if this hair stinks I won't cut it..."

Igu stops talking .

As if to say sorry, Rollo licks the dwarf's hand .

"...Kitty, you like me?"

"Nyao . "

"Fuun, kawaii . "

Igu's mood improves and he begins to play with Rollo .

Like this, we become friendlier with the adventurers .

The hunting team advances .