Chapter 4 [Sale of Unicorn Horn]

Panofi can’t reach internet at this moment[he’s doing chapter 4, so I released chapter 5 first]

next release is Seirei Gensouki chapter 4 ……….I for got the title, but I will try to release it per part since it’s quite long.

anyway enjoy.

TN : help me with TLC please!

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Flying high in circle in high on the sky of capital, searching for the store who want to buy my Unicorn horn.

as expected of a famous city it’s bustling with people.

If I want to walk I must descend to the ground first, I might get intoxicated from the scene of that many rubbish human, maybe I already get feel bad now.

But there is no need to do that, so I continue flying in the sky.

「Look!! those humans look like garbages! ! 」

「Ash, You just said villain like words 」

That’s just a joke but, one of the wind spirit rebutted me.

and finding out that the roof of second hand weapon shop and the likes is lining along the market.

If it’s here, I will surely find the buyer for Unicorn Horn.

to buy Furniture, moreover for the sake of buying slaves, I must sell this horn quickly.

I come into one shop and another in the alleyway.

confirming that no one in vicinity I released 《Concealing Cloak*》. [TL : originally 姿隠しの衣-Cloth of hidden figure]

because if I’m hiding my figure, I can’t trade. ,

because I’m carrying unicorn horns just like that, I immediately entering nearby pawn shop.

「Welcome. has some errand, boy?」[TL : a bit skeptic about this–>いらっしゃい。お使いかね坊や]

The shopkeeper is a niceman around his forties calling out to me.

It’s look like, this old man is the owner of this shop.

「this, can you buy this? 」

I’m talking to the shopkeeper.

I hate human but, it’s not like I fatally lack communication ability.

No, my comu* power isn’t that high, I hate to communicate with other, aside from bussiness talk. [TL : I don’t get what コミュ means, is it abbreviation of community?]

as for the spirits, I enjoy childlish conversation with them, but conversation with humans is too much for me.

「Oh, want to sale something? let me………..see! ？」

BANG! !

the pawn shop shopkeeper chair fall with a loud sound.

The reason is the unicorn horns that I bring with me.

but, how much the price for this horns though, well it must be pretty high considering his reaction.

now I need information about this unicorn horns prices, by his reaction it’s considered as something precious.

if that was the case, the price must be pretty high.

the shopkeeper hurriedly running to the store entrance, and close the door.

why?

somehow, I feel the atmosphere tensed up.

「Bo, Boy…………since three years ago selling more than two unicorn horn is banned, where sis you get that?」

with shivered voice, the shopkeeper asked me.

Banned?

could it be that my unicorn horns, is very dangerous things?

Father never say about that.

if it was like he said that it was banned since three years ago, being a lord of the rural town since twenty years ago, but since it’s a rural town there is a possibility that father didn’t know about that all this time.

anyway, this atmosphere is pretty suspicious.

this place is so quite, I could only ask him.

I become silent for a while thinking about the shopkeeper statement and piling more and more queation for him inside my head.

「could it be you, are someone from another country beyond the 『Unicorn Forest』and get that things from hunting 」?[need TLC : ひょっとして、国境の向こう側にある『一角獣の森』で密猟してきたのかい？]

I don’t know what is unicorn forest, so I vaguely nodded.

「 The unicorn in『Unicorn Forest』 is under protection of Druid* and Forest Knight group of Lemuria Kingdom from being hunted, but…….well it’s just in the limit of them looking after the unicorns……..however, boy being young you already could ckilfully hunt them.」[TL : written as Nature Priest(自然司祭), read as Druid]

「It’s because I use true magic.」

「aa, so it’s magic. indeed if you use magic, it’s even possible for a kid to hunt unicorns. But, boy, are you hunting them alone? or there is another adult with you——」

「if you prying on my bussiness. I will bring this to another store」

Just like that with unicorn horns in my hands, I made a movoment like I want to quit from this store.

「A, wa, wait. I Understand, I won’t inquire you again.」

The shopkeeper given up on my threat, so I also stop my acting.

I’m judging what the shopkeeper said carefully, and pass the unicorn horns to him.

Few minute later, the shopkeeper say. [TL : need TLC with this phrase 道具

「u~n, no mistake this is genuine. Boy, how about fifty big gold coin for this two?.」

he offered the price to me.

though this old man said this things is banned, he still purchase it. [TL : need TLC again ご禁制の品と言っておきながら、買い取りはしてくれるのか。]

as far as this things can be exchanged with money immediately I will be very grateful.

But, is this purchase price really valid?

I don’t know the market price for unicorn horn, I need to judge whether the 50 big gold coin he presented to me as purchase price is really valid price.

certaintly that was a high price.

anyway, from what father said, that amount is same three common soldier salary combined for one year.

by the way, I receive one silver coin each month for my pocket money from my parents.

I’m pretty sensible about this since I’m reincarnated from earth, apparently one silver coin worth is about 1000 yen.

and.

100 silver coin is equivalent to one gold coin.

10 gold coin is equivalent to 1 big gold coin.

And because of that, 50 big gold coin equvalent to 50000 silver coin.

converting it to yen, the total amount is more than 50 million yen.

that was plenty enough.

but, I doubt it’s market price is really 50 big gold coin, as I thought I still can’t judge it’s real price.

「50 big gold coin, eh. let see the other store, and sold it to the place that give highest price.」

I made my move, and taking back the unicorn horns.

half serious, and the other half is my tactic to bargain the price.

「Boy, it’s different from the past, it’s different fro three years ago before the unicorn horn is banned. you must somehow looking for the shop with black market route, another shop won’t by this. on the contrary, I’m managing this shop honestly, I could call the city police, and maybe push you to be arrested for illegal hunting.」

looking at me taking back my unicorn horns, the shopkeeper give me a warning.

and,

「Ne~ you can’t say bad thing, if you still want to sell.」

[TL : need TLC ねぇ悪いことは言わない、ウチで売っていきなよ]

And, he’s trying to coax me.

certainly this old man advice is make a sense.

But, my basic is, I’ve never put my trust on humans.

「I can already see where this talk will going to, as I thought I really need to look for the other store.」

「there is no need to faking it……….then, how about 60 big gold coin? 」

「………………」

I raise my hands to take back my unicorn horns, in silent.

「N, No, then 70 big gold coin?」

「…………」

「……70 each, no it’s 70 for two right ?」

「………………」

「okay, okay, I will speak honestly. using my black market connection I can sell two unicorn horn around 80 big gold coin. but, this oldman must also take a risk with this things ban law, at most, I will gain around 5 big gold coin profit no less, I won’t across dangerous bridge. 75 big gold coin, this is the limit price I could offer.」

The profit for selling that is 5 big gold coin since the beginning.

certainly, from this shopkeeper atmosphere, trying to raise the purchase value, this is already the limit.

If I like, I could bring these to another store, and really detained for bringing banned goods, that’s certainly extra trouble.

beside, there is still countless unicorn in the prairie.

Unicorn Horn aside, what is this book no, to be precise dozens of those books. [TLC needed : ユニコーンの角は、まだ何本いや、何十本もとれそうだ。]

anyway, I think now I can receive the purchase price from this store.

「okay.75 big gold coin, it’s deal.」

「Oh, really. well then, I will pay immediately」

the pawn shop shopkeeper immediately dissapeared to the inner part of the shop.

And back after a little while, carrying folding skin bag.

「inside this bag, exactly 75 big gold coin」

confirming what the shopkeeper said, it’s exactly 75 big gold coin.

「Ah boy, aren’t you thirsty? to celebrate our bussiness estabilishment, I will treat you black tea.」

while saying those words, the shopkeeper going to the inner part of the store again taking water and black tea and mix them in the cup then turning it to me.

「I won’t drink that. because you mixed sleeping drug in it ! 」

from inside the cup, I could see The figure of Undine* give a warning to me. [TL : read as undine, written as water spirit(水の精霊)]

……this old man, he really didn’t want to pay the unicorn horns.

if there is a chance he will drug me, then throw me to the road side.

or kill me when I slept…………..no, he is a clever one, he won’t resort to murder.

even in this world, murder is a serious crime and the risk is too high if it was come to light.

with him holding on those banned things, when I open my eyes, it won’t guaranteed that I won’t go to the goverment office to sue him.

with that, I could arrest him for crime.

It’s not like I’m thirsty either, so I refuse the black tea.

but the shopkeeper insisted with his black tea, it’s pissed me off and I glare at his face, reluctantly taking the cup.

quietly also carefully, I, said to him.

「there’s sleeping drug in this black tea, I heard that quite tasty.」

GACHAN. [TL : this is SFX for slamming noise]

The pawn shop shopkeeper dropped the cup.

That pricey looking cup is broken to piece, well he just reap what he sow.

「Wa, wa, What are you saying boy? ………hahaha…….haha……..」

the shopkeeper eyes are swimming, I directed my cold piercing gaze to him.

……………Really, this is why I hate humans.

「hand over the unicorn horns, certainly, it’s my lost boy」

with his back relaxed the shopkeeper saying those words and giving me a nod once*. [TL : it’s just that he won’t try to trick him anymore]

and then, I take those heavy leather bag and leave that store.

「Going as far as trying to made you drink the sleeping drug, won’t you burn this store? I, will help you」

From the lantern on the store front, the Salamander* showing himself, and offering his help to burn this store for me.

that’s just too extreme.

This fire spirits, many of them has extreme personality.

「Burn, nee~ let’s burn. Fire, fire—」

I taking the first step to become a pyromaniac.

certainly, as resenment for trying to made me drink those sleeping drug.

but, I will pardon him for this one.

now I need to think about the next step, with ban law for purchasing I’m expecting* better condition.

[TL : need TLC今後の事も考えて、禁制の品でも買い取ってくれる<t0/>アテ<t1/>店<t2/>は残しておいた方が俺にとっても都合が良いしな。]

like that from now, I currently have important 75 big gold coin in my possession.

[again need TLC そんなことより、俺は今、大金貨七十五枚という大金を持っている事の方が重要だ。]

well then………..I need to buy a slave, with this money.

COntinuation~~~~

Surprise!

I decided to taking over KonoSuba that previously translated by someone in Viscan. this is the link to the previous chapter :

http://pastebin.com/36qFxvjw – Prologue
http://pastebin.com/mdrw1zdC – Chapter 1
http://pastebin.com/aerAt3Sz – Chapter 2 incomplete.

courtesy to : watisit-san[though I can’t find a way to contact him/her]

one thing is that I’m using raw from Narou[it’s web version] so expect some difference with it’s LN version.

anyway, ENJOY!

Edit again : just realized that skythewood will translate this LN in 25-30, in that case I will temporary halt this project and back to translate 2 other LN.

Bocchi Tenseiki chapter 4 next[Panofihttp://panofitrans.blogspot.com/] doing chapter 3, so I will skip it for the time being.

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「ha？cabbage?？….that cabbage, is it name of monster？」

I’m surprised and my head is full with that kind of thought, somehow Megumin and Darkness looking at me with pitying eyeslike I’m a pitiful person.

「Cabbage is, this roundish green thingsround and green. It’s something that you can eat.」

「it’s crisp when you chewed it, it’s delicious vegetable. 」

「I know that ！   I mean what is it?. and being excited by the emergency quest, is it adventurers from this guild assisting the farmers?. 」

though I can say that I only doing public workstill recently, I still can’t get usedo this place agriculture.

I come here to experiencing some real adventure.

「Aー……。is Kazuma still didn’t know about it, right? ee~to, this world cabbage…….」

somehow, Aqua said that without a shred of apologetic tone, interupting that, the guild staff member and the adventurers moving out from the guild toward the source of that loud voice.

「everyone, please don’t get out at the same time! I think some people are already noticed it, but it’s cabbage!   right now is the time for this year cabbage harvest! It’s 1000 Eris for each cabbage. all residences already taking refugee inside their houses. then everyone, catch as much as you can, this guild will gladly receive it!. Please don’t hurt yourself because of the cabbage counterattack. 」

…………immediately, this staff member commencing the start.

this time, loud cheering voices can be heard outside of the adventurer guild.

and what now?, I’m joining the crowd to see what is it, greens object flying leisurely jumping around in the city.

I’m dumbfounded and frozen can’t understand that kind of scene, unaware to me Aqua already moving beside me muttering something.

「this world cabbage can fly. it’s flavor is condensed with the approaching harvest season, to put it simply we collect it to eat.   they usually scampering around grassland or street, crossing the sea and continent, then all of them ended up in some hidden unexplored region to eat, and then it said that they enjoying quiet life in there. that’s why, we usually catch them as much as we can and them. 」

「……I, already want to go back to the stable and sleep.」

I overcome with surprise and muttering that to the person next to me, the brave adventurers raising vigorous shout then run pass me from behind.

and those guys, now, at this moment frantically charging toward the herds of ccabbage like their live depend on it.

u~n, I think the other world is not that much different.

to the extent that I want to go back to Japan.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

I’m inside the guild building and what appear before me is stir fryed cabbage, while murmured.

「even though it’s only stir fried cabbage, it’s soo delicious. I don’t understand, really don’t understand. 」

we safely finishe the hunting the cabbage in the city, here and there any kind of cooking with cabbage from the hunt can be seen.

it was so dramatically unbearable, but once I received the prize money from cabbage hunting, I somewhat felt a little regret.

I don’t come to another world to hunt cabbage.

「but, you did a great job Darkness!. as expected of a crusader!. as expected of your iron wall defense the cabbage can’t do anything. 」

「Un……、tha、that is、Thanks to amazing recovery magic from Aqua…….

at the beginning, Aqua chased aroung the flying cabbage in the air as if they ridiculing you, but soon your feet gave up and you began to crying……

after that, you got big contribution by giving treatment with you superior recovery magic to large number of adventurer groups.     Someone like me, is only a stubborn girl. with my low skill, I also can’t do anything~~~.

so, I must swing my sword six time to get a clean hit, so I become a wall since I didn’t have any redeeming feature except for my defense.

……in this point, Megumin also amazing.

running after groups of cabbage when group of monster approaching, then blow all of them with exploding magic. there is no adventurers that not wearing surprised expression on their face. 」

「fufu, no one can survive before my deadly explosion magic. but, Kazuma also amazing. you quickly carrying me who become limp because my mana run out on your shoulder and carried me to a safer place.   」

「……Nn, pushing me out from being surrounded also almost ganged up by cabbages and monster, Kazuma appeared gallantly and began to harvesting the cabbage that come to attack us.You’ve saved me, Thank you. 」

「certainly, erasing his presence by using hiding skill, using enemy sensing

skill to capture the fast moving cabbage, from the back your gallant figure attacking the cabbage is just like an assasin.」

「Good job job Kazuma!Then, I will grant 『Splendid Cabbage Thief』title to you.」

「So noisy! putting that kind of title to call me!A~aaaa！how this happen!?」

I grab my head and prostating myself on the table.

the current situation is dangerous.

「……N~。

well then, everyone, please take care of me after this.

My name is Darkness.

My class is crusader.

though I’m using two handed sword for the time being, don’t expect fire power from me.

Because, my dexterity is too low, I need to strike more than three time to get a clean hit.

But, tanking is my strong point.

while my companion Chris is away, please take care of me. 」

our companion is increased by one.

after received reward from cabbage hunting Aqua immediately spend it in crimson vial.

「fufun, didn’t our party member is wonderful ? Me the Arch Priest, Megumin the Arch Wizard. and, there is advanced defense specialist vanguard, Darkness. three out of four party member is in advanced rank, so, so to Kazuma who the only one that isn’t specialist. you, are very lucky right? didn’t you feel grateful?. 」

magician that can’t do anything after using her magic once, vanguard that can’t attack, and bad luck Priest. wonderful my ass!.

For some reason Darkness felt some sense of camaride with Aqua and Megumin in the middle of cabbage hunting, then the party inviting Darkness. ,

as for me, since I’m only ordinary member I don’t have any reason to refuse.

also she is quite a babe.

But, this Darkness.

as she said, there is no one hitting* on her. [maybe he means wooing on her]

she is quite a beauty.

everything, she invested all her skill point on defense skill, she didn’t take any of sword skill for two handed sword.

her appearance is that of cool beauty, though it’s really wasted on her.

and yet, somehow this crusader like to charging in the middle of crowd of monsters.

she is crusader who protect the weak, perhaps more than protecting someone she is enjoying being attacked……..

「N~~……。aa, previously, the moment when trampled by flock of monster and cabbage……..I will be come full fledged vanguard of this party, so don’t hestitate to use me as a wall instead of decoy. what if the situation getting dangerous and I’m abandoned. ……N~n~n！ju, just thinking about it made me E, excited……..!. 」

It’s not good.

this person is also no good.

so, for the time being I send a warning signal to Aqua and Megumin.

with slightly flushed cheeks, rejecting the trembling Darkness, watching that scene made me want to cry.

even though she is a cool beauty, in my eyes I can’t see her other than an M.

「well then Kazuma. maybe……………no, if I made some mistake, at that time please feel free to abuse me.Please take care of me after this 」

I, who is initially weakest class adventurer.

I the useless former NEET with such poor class, for some reason become this party leader.

Chapter 3 [Kidnapping]

sorry for the long wait, I’m more busy in RL than what I predicted. maybe this will continue till new year[damn it, I don’t even get end of year holiday], but I will keep releasing though it will be varied between Bocchi Tenseiki, Seirei Genshouki[maybe fr the next chapter I will releasing it in the form of part since it’s almost as long as Sayonara Ryuusei], or new project[Kono Subarashii Sekai] that abandoned halfway by it’s translator[I can’ contact him], so I will continue from where he left. and post the link to his file.

anyway enjoy the release

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Translator: Cnine
Editor: Vrryou
Proofreader:

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Chapter 3: Kidnapping

Rio walked along the winding street before turning into a hidden path. The path led directly to the red light district¹.
Following the main road in the red light district, he saw many soldiers looking awfully busy.

The red light district’s main street was located closer to the slums than the market and commoner district’s main street.
When the day turned into night, the streets became overflowing with prostitutes and men trying to buy their bodies.
Sweet voices calling out and negotiations being made could be heard along the street.
Public order in the red light district was surprisingly good due to nobles being among the many customers soliciting the area’s services.
Only upstanding brothels were permitted to operate in most of the Kingdom.
The few doing operating illegally situated their business near the slums.

Rio was heading to that part of town.
Upon arriving, the sounds of competition between legal brothels immediately ceased, replaced by an eerie silence. Not a single person could be seen.
It was in such a place that Rio was passing through.
There were no good feelings associated with that place.
It took him less than a minute to arrive in the slums.

“Get lost!”

Then, Rio bumped into trouble.
A little distance from him were four rough looking men wearing leather armour with cheap swords strapped to their waists.
The four men gave off the feeling of hoodlums.
An awful lot of noise was coming from the direction of the thugs. Two of the men were carrying large sacks on their shoulders.
One sack moved as if a large animal was inside.

“What’re you doing!? Where’re we going!? Who are you!? Let me out! Don’t think things will end like this! Father won’t forgive you! I’ll send all of you flying!”

Glancing at the noisy bag and the appearance of the shady men, suspicion arose in Rio’s mind.
The voice of a young girl could be heard from the noisy sack.

“Che— she regained consciousness. Shut up! Quit fussing around!”

Loud voices could be heard from the dubious quartet.
The bag instantly slightly shook and shriveled.

“Idiot! Watch your voice!”
“Ye-Yes. Sorry aniki².”

The way the loud man was apologising suggested that aniki’s position was quite high.
It seemed that aniki was also the group’s leader.

“Che— for 10 gold coins this bag is awfully suspicious but this job is really profitable.”

The one referred to as aniki frowned while clicking his tongue. Judging from his expression, the baggage was proving to be very troublesome.

“Hehe, but 10 gold coins is really an unbelievable reward. With just this, we can spend 10 months drinking and playing around with women.”

All the underlings were smiling, their faces full of lust.
The leader was not disturbed at all.

In this country, one gold coin was enough to feed a common family for two months.
By the way, if he remembered correctly, the exchange rate for money was 100 copper coins for 1 silver coin, 50 silver coins for 1 gold coin, and 25 gold coins for 1 mystic coin.
“What kind of person’s inside? Based on the size and weight, I’d say it’s a girl.”

Unable to contain his curiosity, one of the men carrying the sack asked the leader to check what was inside.

“Maybe it’s a merchant or noble’s daughter… Oi, open the sack!”

Curiosity getting the best of him, the leader displayed a vulgar grin and ordered the sack to be opened.

“Are you sure?”
“Hmph, that man never said we couldn’t open the sack. And we need to find out if the contents are worth more than what we’re paid for. We’ll request another payment during the handover.”

The subordinates cheered hearing those words while the leader snorted.

“You, watch the surroundings and don’t let anyone come near. Well I doubt anyone’ll come to this place anyway.”

The leader ordered the man to set his bag on the ground. The man who was ordered from before had a “Let me see her face too” expression on his face.
But in Rio’s eyes, the lackey’s vigilance was extremely sloppy.

“Well then…”

After confirming their surroundings, the man placed the sack on the ground and roughly opened it.

“Kya!”

With a thud, a soft slender limb was exposed, together with a scream coming out from the young lady in the sack.

“Hehe, now we can enjoy a young woman to ourselves.”

Smiles crept onto the sketchy quartet’s faces after hearing the young lady’s cream.
They leisurely unfastened the ropes binding the sack.
Only 10 seconds were needed to finish the deed.
After seeing who emerged from inside the bag, the men leaked voices of admiration.

What they saw was a young girl around the same age as Rio.
Silky violet-blonde hair, purple coloured irides, and a determined expression; the charming girl had the appearance of an angel.
Due to her features and attire, she exuded the atmosphere of a high class individual.

Possibly she was the daughter of a noble.
Her exceptional beauty mesmerized Rio in an instant.
There was no mistake; a noble’s daughter had just been kidnapped.
But for what reason? For such important cargo, they would not be handed over for transportation to some hooligans.
Rio was speechless and had no idea what was going on.
It was safe to say they must have received inside help from guards of the noble’s house.

“Ah— Curiosity killed the cat huh? This is bad… we may have overstepped our boundaries.”

The leader nervously scratched his head with a difficult expression painted on his face.
They must have understood what it meant for them to kidnap the girl. They finally realised the gravity of the situation.

“Well good thing we only carried them this far. After reaching to our destination, let’s ask for additional payment. C’mon, let’s go! We gotta finish this quickly.”

The criminals’ plans continued along with the girl’s misfortune.
Being glared at by the goons, the young girl tightly shut her eyes.

“Well come on. Quietly get back in the sack again.”
“NO! <Flame Shot>!”³

The young girl raised her hands up and recited something. Something started coming out from the palm of her hands.
However before the phenomenon of magical power could be converted into a magic spell, the girl received a sharp kick from the leader.

“Agh— gah ho…”

Rio was startled witnessing the young girl being blown away.
At the same time he was fascinated by the magic she was about to release.
Rio could only use his magical powers for body and flesh reinforcement while that young girl was doing something else entirely using an unknown technique.
Before the magic discharged, something resembling geometrical patterns floated in front of her.

“Che, that was a close one. I let my guard down. To think she’s a magic user, as expected of a noble’s daughter.”

The unfamiliar word “magic” reached Rio’s ears.

“Uu~…”

Looking at the young girl clutching her stomach in pain, one of the hoodlums opened his mouth.

“E~tto, she’s not dead yet right?”
“It’s alright. She’s still moaning in pain.”
“We don’t know if they’ll give us our payment for damaged goods…”
“Ah? Ah, well we’ll know at that time comes right?”

The leader’s outrageous conduct made his underlings tremble in fear. They responded by giving him troubled smiles.
From their conversation, they were a bunch of worthless people.

(What should I do…?)

While suppressing his impatience, Rio pondered at the question.
The young girl would not die from only that level of a kick.
But at this rate, she would be abandoned.
Or he could head over and provide her some assistance.
But that was easier said than done.

There were four opponents, based on Rio’s estimations they were no threat to him.
Still, even with his abilities he was not had doubts he could flawlessly defeat all of them.
Moreover they were all armed while he was unarmed.
His opponents would not hesitate to kill him.
Even though Rio practiced ancient martial arts in his previous life, he had never once taken a person’s life.
In other words, Rio had to fight barehanded against a group of four armed men who had experience in committing murder.
Furthermore, if he was slashed by one of those cheap blades, the injury would most likely suffer an infection.
Rio was strongly against killing other humans.
He recalled the words of his grandfather who was also his master.

If he remained in his position, the scene before him would soon disappear.
But the incident would not end just like that; the young girl would be moved somewhere against her will.
Rio heard from rumours that some brothels in the area sometimes held sadistic events where people gathered and tortured young girls.
There was a chance the girl in front of him would be sent to one such place.
However the incident unfolding before him had nothing to do with him.
Hiding and watching the group depart the area would leave a bad aftertaste, but there was no need for him to risk his life for a complete stranger.

Really? Was that really okay?
While Rio was mulling over those matters, by coincidence, it really was a coincidence, one coincidence on top of another, the girl’s line of sight matched Rio’s.
Noticing him, her face distorted in fear and anger. Seeing that, Rio felt he could no longer run away.
Another man came over with a sack.
The man suddenly started moving; he focused his line of sight on the young girl and let go of the sack.

“Ah!”

With a thud, a soft resigned voice resounded from inside the sack.

“Kya~”

From inside the bag, a young girl similar in age was kicked letting out a similar voice.
“Che— Oi, she’s not injured right?”

In a tired voice, the leader asked the man carrying to sack to verify the content’s safety.
With an evil grin, the subordinate opened the bag to confirm.
They were distracted, it was now or never.

(Damn it all!)

Rio wrapped his entire body in magical power in an instant and launched himself like a bullet. No other human being his age would be able to achieve the same speed.
He was shocked at the acceleration and resistance he never felt before. Even with his flesh reinforced, his body was still that of a child’s and should not be able to produce something to this extent.
Success of failure would be decided in an instant so immediately Rio seized the initiative.

“Na?”

The first to notice Rio was the leader and he immediately drew his blade. But in that short moment, Rio was already in front of him.

“Gu ha.”

Without letting the chance slip by, he twisted the leader’s elbow dislocating his joints before throwing him.
He flawlessly executed techniques learned from the ancient martial arts he practiced in his previous life.
By reinforcing his body, he was able to throw a grown man twice his size.
The leader did not know anything about Ukemi⁴ and spectacularly hit the ground with a loud sound.

(Next!)

Rio was already moving his body.

“Eh?”

He gathered all his power and drove a kick into the abdomen of the man standing beside him. Using that force and his opponent’s own weight, Rio slammed the thug into the ground.

“GAH!”

Confirming his opponent was unconscious, he prepared to face the remaining thugs.

“This brat!”

Enraged by the loss of their companions, the remaining two chose to face Rio together.
If they took the girl hostage, the situation would be hopeless.
Multiple opponents meant they had more choices than him.
Rio was afraid of that.
However the men were suffocated by their emotions that they forgot to adopt the most effective means.

“Dieeeee!”

Brandishing a 50 cm long sword, one of the thugs rushed and slashed at Rio.
He avoided the blade by side stepping and launched a counter with his palm aimed at his opponent’s chin.
The counter connected with the thug’s chin and instantly knocked out him out.

“Y-You bastard!”

The last thug desperately brandished his blade but could not even come close to landing a hit on Rio.
Avoiding the poor swordsmanship, Rio slipped into the man’s bosom, grabbed the thug’s hand and forcefully twisted, disarming and making him unable to hold the weapon. He then knocked the thug out with a throw.

“Haa… Ha…”

I did it.

I ended up doing it.
Before he realised it, his body moved on its own.
It was strange for him to risk his life to save a young girl he never even met before.

Rio did not move an inch from where he was standing, because he was out of breath.
He felt his body temperature rising and his heart beating so wildly that he could hear it resounding throughout his body.
SHUT UP, he nearly screamed those words.

He was unable to deliver the final blow to the thugs.
He could not bring himself to kill them.
But he still had the skill and strength to overpower them and lightly damage their internal organs.
The damage was only to the extent where they lost consciousness.
Given the current situation, it would not be strange if they were fatally injured and died.
All kinds of terrible outcomes flooded Rio’s mind.
If by some chance the thugs died from their injuries, Rio would be unable to cope with the sense of guilt.

He currently lacked the resolution to kill another human being.
No problems would exist if he could calmly kill a person.
But he was not that kind of person.
And undoubtedly, none of the thugs were dead.
So he did not kill anyone yet.
Still all kinds of excuses for killing them popped up in his mind. Realising the kind of thoughts he was harbouring made him feel disgusted.
What’s done is done.
At least he would not be blamed for helping the two young girls.
Rio fought down the emotions he was feeling to prevent them from showing on his face. He suddenly remembered the existence of the two girls and noticed one of them was watching him in awe.

The two girls resembled each other in appearance.
One of them was still trying to free herself from the sack while the one that got herself kicked was already freed.
From their violet-blonde hair and identical faces, Rio concluded the two were sisters.
The one who was causing a ruckus earlier was the elder sister while the one still trying to free herself was the younger sister.

“Are… you alright?”

Still breathing roughly, Rio timidly greeted the sisters.
The elder sister glared sharply at Rio.
From her glare, Rio found it difficult to believe they were the same age.
Rio’s train of thought halted for a second.
The same shining geometrical pattern that made her get kicked appeared again.

(Is that… magic?)

“Cough, cough. What are you waiting for? Help me!”
“O-Onee-sama, I just casted <Heal>⁵ so please don’t move around so much. Don’t push yourself too hard…”

Ignoring her younger sister’s plea, the elder sister approached Rio and slapped him across the cheek.

“Eh?”

Pan, a dry sound resounded in their surroundings.
To this sudden development, Rio could not understand what was happening.
Why did this girl get angry at him?
Why would she slap her saviour?
He fell into confusion, his cheek stinging in pain.

“You watched us the whole time right? If that was the case you should’ve helped us sooner!”

Rio almost got himself slapped a second time.
However this time he was expecting it and caught the girl’s arm.
Her face became distorted in frustration and she tried using her free hand to slap him.

“…”

The young girl became hysteric and started acting violently. Rio started turning angry after experiencing such unreasonable treatment, but he could not treat a young girl like her poorly.

“Let go of my hand! Filthy! Smelly!”
“O-Onee-sama, he saved us so isn’t it wrong to get angry at him?”

The younger sister was trying to soothe the elder sister’s fury.

The elder sister could smell the foul odours originating from Rio and it was clearly reflected on her face.
She was also greatly shocked at his repulsive appearance.
Though thanks to the younger sister’s cries, the elder sister ceased her violent actions towards Rio.

Even if the other party was still very young, her actions were unreasonable since the beginning and Rio’s anger was reaching its boiling point.
He already got himself into another troubling situation.
The elder sister was glaring at his filthy forelocks.

“A-Aah. Thank you very much for saving us.”

Sensing Rio’s displeasure, the younger sisters came forward and lowered her head.

“No, it wasn’t much.”
As expected Rio could not disregard the young girl expressing her gratitude to him so he gave a curt reply.

“What? What kind of attitude is that?”

Rio decided to disregard the elder sister.

“O-Onee-sama!”

The dangerous atmosphere dissipated again due to the younger sister rebuking her elder sister.

“Hmph, I’ll forgive you for Flora.”

It appeared the younger sister’s name was Flora.
Seeing her older sister calm down, Flora breathed a sigh of relief. But right after that, the elder sister’s words were like pouring oil onto a dying fire.

“Peasant, lead us to the noble district. As for the men over there… take two of them with us.”

Rio was amazed at how easily he commanded him.

“You were able to throw them so this should be simple right?”

Rio was unamused at her attitude. In addition her tone was almost hysterical.
Her panic was probably due to only recently escaping from a horrific situation but the current Rio was too irritated to notice such things.

“…Is that the attitude one uses when asking for assistance?”

Rio understood it was necessary to provide assistance to the daughters of a noble.
But this girl’s overbearing attitude chased out that thought.
He wanted her to at least consider his feelings a little.

“A-Ah no, I’m sorry! I would also like to request your help. If necessary, I will ask father to reward you!”

Rio’s current impressions of nobles were rock bottom.
But thanks to Flora it did not drop any lower.
Surely the two girls must have experienced life void of hardships so far.

They got whatever they desired.
They were so dazzling for someone like Rio that it only gave birth to one vulgar thought after another. As for Haruto, he could not stand Flora’s straightforwardness.

“…Understood.”

Rio unwillingly agreed to Flora’s request.

“Thank you very much!”
Rio got to work immediately.
The two young girls cut the sacks previously used to transport them into ropes and Rio tied the men with them.
He also took their weapons along with any valuables he could find.
It was bulky but it could not be helped; the current him was in dire need of money.
Since a while ago his actions could already be classified as a crime so he did not bother justifying his actions.
Rio did not know of any laws regarding the treatment of a criminal’s possessions. Since that was the case, he might as well loot all the thugs’ belongings; there was nothing wrong with getting his hands on a few valuables.

“Hmph, so greedy…”

Looking at his behaviour, Christina⁶ said those lines while looking down on him. Hearing that, Rio felt some resistance but pretended he did not hear anything and continued with his work.

Finishing his work, Rio and the sisters left the red light district and continued towards the market.
Along the way, people in the red light district looked at Rio and the young girls with great curiosity. However no one called out to them due to the foul smell Rio gave off.
Upon arrival at the market, soldiers immediately ran up to Rio and the sisters. Christina and Flora were put under their protection afterwards.

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<sup>1. Prostitute district↩
2. Common Yakuza slang for senior↩
3. Read as Flame Shot, written as Flame Bullet Magic↩
4. A falling technique in Judo↩
5. Read as Heal, written as Recovery Magic↩
6. Ed: Christina is the elder sister’s name. Yeah I don’t know how we suddenly got her name either.↩</sup>

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