69 Episode 69 "I didn't talk to people in the same world unexpectedly".txt

Walking around in the middle of the night reminds me of my part-time night shift.

It was pitch black in the office, but the only light was on around my desk, and I was working on inventory control while facing the computer screen. Now all I have to do is go next door - to Iris' house - so it's still easy. It's nice to be in another world, too. And you have your sister next door.

"But you can turn down a late night job, Aine.

I said to Aine, who was walking alongside me.

Aine's maid's outfit, with her apron and headdress removed, melts into the darkness like a ninja costume. Her chestnut-colored hair is tied back behind her shoulders in a tight bun, and her eyes shine so brightly that even the nighttime eye can see it.

It's a good idea to have a good time with your sister.

Aine looks back at you with a crisp face, holding a hagane mop in her hand.

It's not an option in Aine's life to say no to that, you know?

I guess you're right about ...... being alone and feeling insecure.

We're heading to the dungeons of the House of Ilgafa.

The reason we're sleepily walking around is because we want to contact Eterina-Harsburg, who is imprisoned there.

That's why they needed Aine's power.

The same was true of the fake demon tribe that attacked Iris, but those guys have cheat skills, and you never know what they'll do. You don't know what they're going to say in the first place. To be honest, I'd like to go with the whole party, but as expected, that would be too conspicuous.

So...

'I asked Aine to do this partly because she has anti-personnel non-lethal skills. With Aine's 'Memory Wipe', I can quietly incapacitate my opponent.

I don't care about the theory, Nay.

Aine nodded in a whisper.

'It's a treat for your sister to be able to go out alone with Nah-kun.

...... The strongest sister indeed. I can rely on you.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it to the top.

I've been thinking about this as we walked through the forest to reach the back of the lord's house.

It's a huge mansion that is intimidating even to the eye at night. In my mind, I look for the service entrance while checking the floor plan that Iris showed me - I found it. The key is ...... open. It's just as it should be.

There is no sign of anyone around.

Iris left some empty time for the regular soldiers to patrol the area, so no one should be coming for a while.

We enter the landlord's property through the service entrance. The ground is paved with stones. I check the floor plan in my mind once more. I'm sure that the entrance to the dungeons is on the right from here.

The reason why Eterina-Harsburg is not in the town's dungeon, but in the dungeon of the lord's house is because Iris's father doesn't want Neuer-Hafeumea's scandal to get out. Great people are a pain in the ass.

Well, thank God for now. I couldn't have had any contact with her if she'd been thrown in jail.

I have the lord's permission to contact Eterina-Harsburg. To be precise, it's a tacit understanding.

When Iris told me that the 'Sea Dragon Brave' wants to talk to the Marquise, the lord seemed to be quietly looking out. Or rather, 'Oh, ah, ah, ah. I was mumbling ...... the festival instead of ...... miko, so maybe that wasn't the point.

However, the regular soldiers don't know what's going on in that situation, so they can't be found.

Even so, the fact that there are no soldiers here and the service entrance is open means that the lord has acquiesced to what we are doing. In the meantime, I'll share the minimum amount of information with you later.

''Lord-sama. We have a guide.''

Suddenly, the Demon Sword Reggie murmured behind my back.

Behind the planting in the backyard, a blue glowing thing was moving. It was about the size of a basketball, translucent and blubbery.

It was Rafilia's messenger, the 'Elder Slime's alter ego'. It seems to have been waiting for us.

"Reggie. Do you understand what he's trying to tell you?

"Of course. Do you have any idea who I am?

He thinks it's a nasty magical sword.

"Activate slime bringer, level 1!

With a pop, a figure-sized Leggy appears around my shoulder, flips the hem of his white robe and does a rotation. He points into the air and strikes a gorgeous pose. This kind of part is cool, this guy.

The Magic Sword Reggie's cheat skill was activated. It's an excellent skill that allows you to communicate with and control slimes within a 10-meter radius.

...... We've established a link of intent. Hm. The slime is under orders from that big breasted elven girl.

What was it?

"This slime will guide you to the entrance of the dungeons.

All right. You take the slime first. I'll use that one as scout.

Yes, sir. Maids, if you're going to follow me, you're going to have to get a little lower.

Reggie told me as he grabbed me by the ears, and Aine nodded her head.

We lowered our bodies and followed the slime.

Maybe Rafilia and Iris are following us inside the mansion, too.

I used an insider to look at the mansion's floor plan and memorized every inch of it, and then had them unlock it from inside to enter──that's a cheat act no matter what you think. Well, it's not like I'm going to harm the lord's house, and since I helped to capture Eterina-Harsburg, let's call it a breeze.

It's a little before the date. Most of the lights in the mansion are out.

It's a huge mansion like a castle, but because of that, there are many shadows and blind spots. I learned that part from Iris. Iris was trapped in the mansion for more than ten years, and in her brain she simulated an escape route a hundred times a year. She said that's why she knew the blind spots in the mansion and the soldiers' blind spots. Maybe no one knew the safest route better than she did.

And after walking for a while, we came to a small hollow.

It stood hidden, surrounded by tall trees.

There was nothing painted on the surface. The color was black. The shape of the shape is rectangular. The height is about the height of a person. In front, there is a door with a sturdy-looking lock.

"Leggy.

I know. The Elderslime is under orders. Spit it out.

pupe

Following Reggie's instructions, the blue slime spat out a small key from inside its body. Aine catches it.

A black key, without a single decoration. It's the key to the door in front of me. As expected of Iris and Rafilia, it's spotless.

Leggy maintains his link to the Elderslime. Slime will be on the outside looking in. Let me know if you need anything.

"Yes, my Lord. Lord.

'Aine, you can always use 'memory wipe'. If there's anyone out there, let me sleep while I'm distracted.

All right. You just do your job without a care in the world, okay?

Aine is smiling with a calm face.

As expected of a big sister whose whole body is made up of inclusiveness. Despite the situation, I feel safe when I'm with her.

I'm glad to have Aine. I'm going to have to go to ...... to meet someone I don't want to meet.

I unlocked the door to the dungeon.

The Marchioness, Eterina Harsburg, should be down here.

...... the world's most distant and mysterious person.

I heard a voice.

I could hear them well, even though I had just walked through the door.

The passage to the dungeon is made of damp stone, both walls and stairs. The surface is slimy and moldy. Small puddles of water were seeping out of the dungeon. Sometimes drops of water fall from overhead.

Thanks to the lamps on the wall, we can see all the way to the end of the stairs. The passage at the end of the stairs is less than 10 meters long. There are iron grates in the wall.

In the middle of it, there is a woman whose hands are shackled with manacles.

According to the story of the Order of Divine Life, which has come to its senses, her ability is to 'make magic dwell in what she touches'. That's why your hands are fixed so that you can't move them, and from the wrist onward, you have a pair of tough gloves.

I'm... that's why. If you get serious, you'd all be instantly killed.

The inside of the prison is surprisingly large.

This is because it was originally used to imprison people from the lord's family who committed crimes - and priestesses who disobeyed their lord.

The person in the prison is the marquise daughter Eterina-Harsburg.

I don't know if that's her real name. Nor do I know if it's really 'The Visitor'.

Stay away from me, savages! Fear the wrath of...

But Eterina-Harsburg is just screaming in a high-pitched voice. She's not looking at us.

...... For now, let's explore it.

It's not a good idea to be a part of it. We can't be choosy about gathering information. I don't really want to do it, but...

I'm from Earth.

The dry laughter stopped.

'You're the one who was summoned, aren't you?　He's a visitor. I need to talk to you. Tell me your name and what you want.

The reason I came all the way to see this guy is because I wanted information on The Visitor.

The fake demon tribe was a lone gunman, but this guy was organized. If there was someone in the background, we need to know about it. I hope they'll be able to communicate with each other...

............ Do you think you can confuse me with a line I've heard somewhere, savage?

I don't think so.

Well, that's just the way it is. We'll have to change our strategy.

Let's see if we can't get the information out of him.

...... You think I'm being paranoid?　O you who claim to be a marquise.

'Of course. A savage who doesn't even know the value of my work!

A hint of a sigh behind the bars.

'My job is to solve this world's important matter. With innovation comes risk. The results were supposed to be my trophy: ......

...... I've got some kind of side letters lined up.

Aine is tilting her head. I understand, but Aine doesn't seem to get it.

'In the first place, the 'Order of Divine Life' is for human resource flow and activating their skills. You're a Barbarian who can't even understand such things: ......

So this is how this guy thinks and talks: .......

Let's see if we can't make it work.

I see. You've been trying to open up the weak points of this world, haven't you? The Marquise. I'm a great admirer of your achievements.

I said.

Etelina-Harsburg, who had been speaking in a spiteful tone, looked up.

'............ eh,'

His reaction has changed. Let's poke around a bit more.

"Your strategy of taking down the heart of the city in one fell swoop was brilliant. You've hit your quota just by discovering the method of turning Neuer Hapheumea into a tool.

'Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!'

The technique of motivating party members by giving them incentives to move up in rank, encouraging them to improve their skills, and restructuring people with quests was also brilliant. It's a true self-innovation. I just should have respected the promotion a little more: ......

I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.

'Therefore, you are not the kind of person who can flourish in a place like this. Visitor ...... No, brave man!

Bump!

Eterina-Harsburg stood up.

Gulp, gulp!

He's shaking the bars from the inside.

He's looking at me. Her eyes are shining in response to my words. I knew you'd like it.

The Knights of Divine Life system is a ponzi scheme or a total black business practice.

I thought that if Eterina-Harsburg liked it that way, she must be vulnerable to being appreciated. I mean, you don't come to another world and make up a system you don't like.

Are you a messenger of ...... 'Guildmaster'?

I finally got it right.

'First, answer the question. What is your real name?

I'm standing by the lamp by the wall.

It's a precaution. It's backlit from Eterina's side, so she shouldn't be able to see my face very well.

'My real name is Katagiri-Erina. So ...... 'Guildmaster' hasn't abandoned me yet?　Do you remember your promise?

...... You know what he's up to, don't you?

Once again, I'm going to explore.

It's stories like this that make me feel dark. Let's get this over with.

Yes, it's a well-known fact that the Guildmaster has found the perfect job for you.

Eterina-Harsburg replied.

'...... and you're in this town?'

'They told me they couldn't tolerate a town that cheated. He said it's just a simple job to spook me, and I'm good at it.

Heh.

''With a sea dragon and the like, neither the people nor the financial resources of this town can be used as pawns. So we will destroy the festival. We will help the town that has lost its power with our help. Until we become addicted to it.

Wow. Egregious: .......

'It's all about people's peace too?'

''We need to gather all our strength to win the battle against the Demon King. You don't need a force that can reject it. We - we - will lead the savages.

...... and you too, after all?

Yes. I am the one who was summoned.

I'm not lying.

But I'm starting to feel sick. Here.

"But I don't think I have the strength to get you out of here. Are you close to your friends?

No, sir. But I dunked my gear in the lake.

Eterina-Harsburg laughed with her eyes - it looked like she smiled.

''It's an oddly shaped golem that I created with my skill 'Magic Weapon Making (Craftwork)'. It is made to move if you incorporate the crystals of magic power into it. Use that to save me.

...... deformed, golem.

Putting together a magical crystal will allow the Golem to move. Save me with it. I'm not the one who ends up here. I told you that if I did my mission, the Guildmaster would return me to my world with my skills!

Do you want to keep your skills and send this guy back to ......?

"...... 'Guildmaster' is someone who has that kind of power (...) ......

"tsk tsk

Eterina-Harsburg stiffened.

'.................. you, who are you?'

What?

The emotion disappeared from Eterina-Harsburg's voice. A cold voice. A thump on the bars. No. It's a body slamming. Trying to break in?

You don't know him!　Do savages deceive me?　I'm Katagiri-Erina. You're the one who became a candidate for assistant chief deputy in the first six months of employment!　Someone who doesn't even know what it's worth locked me in a room with ────.

Eterina-Harsburg is screaming with her eyes peeled back.

'Wow, I'm going back to my world!　I'm going to go back and remind the bosses who made me quit in my 'Magic Weapon Making (Kraftwerk)' and the juniors who just 'mentored' me and then left without my permission!　I was right!　We were wrong!　We've been fighting for that!

...... nani-sore.

Seriously.

Did this guy go to the trouble of tricking Noel-Hafeumea into creating an organization called the 'Knights of Divine Life' for such a thing?

I don't care if I'm a ...... savage. You know what you've done, don't you?

He threw away a man from the Order of Divine Life and left him to die.

Even Rafilia was almost forced to join them.

He manipulated Noyel-Hapheumea, destroyed the ritual, and tried to kidnap Iris. They tried to kill us, too. If Cecil and his friends weren't cheat characters, we'd be dead.

If it were true, you couldn't complain about the whole island pavilion being blown up.

...... What are you, a marquise? You're the one who's just a savage.

Oh, shut up!　Wait for me!　I will not be the last!　A second and a third will take over this town.

No, I'm not really beholden to Ilgafa.

With a thud, the banging on the door stops.

Behind the bars, Eterina-Harsburg's eyes are wide open.

'I just wanted to save the priestess (Iris) from black labour.

"Black labor: ...... Huh?

Kaka," laughs Eterina-Harsburg.

'I don't take it for granted that I'm going to do the job I've been given more than perfectly. If you're determined to use a priestess as a tool, why not?　Isn't it funny that you're complaining about that?　Utterly, neither the priestesses nor the uselessness of the 'Order of Divine Life' ...... can understand such things, that's why those in this world are savages.

............ You don't work anymore.

Huh?

"You're not supposed to work. Every time you work, someone gets hurt. At least you're not fit to lead and be a hero. Move on!　Change to a job that doesn't involve people right now!

It's funny.

He's a visitor, he's from the same world, but I don't know what he's talking about.

It's like we're dealing with someone from another world.

"Uh-uh-uh, traitor!　You've already been abducted by a savage...?

What the hell?

Eterina Hersburg's mouth began to glow orange.

Did this guy still have something to hide?

I'm going to kill him!　Your presence confuses my raison d'etre. Uncomfortable. You have the same eyes as ...... that junior colleague!

His skill is in imbuing tools with magic. But a legionnaire has to have a physical examination before he's locked up. He took off his rings, his jewelry, everything else. The rest...

...... is the strongest of my skills. I can fix a cavity...

It was Eterina-Harsburg's back teeth that were glowing.

Did she have a magic item hidden in that place?　Who are you to put poison in your teeth, spook?

"Reggie!　Come on!

"Yes, my Lord, ────!

At the top of the stairs, a blue slime jumps in from the door that I left slightly open.

It shrinks its body on the stairs - stretches - and jumps. Straight, towards us.

The height is around Aine's waist. Aine's perfect position.

Aine holds up her "Hagane's Mop" and swings it out!

"Demon-clearing Lv 1.

d*mn you, traitor!　'Flame Arrow (Flame Arrow)!'!

Aine was faster than him.

The five 'flaming arrows' shot out of Eterina-Harsburg's mouth and the Elder Slime flew up to his face at about the same time.

The slime that slipped through the bars spread its jelly-like body to catch the 'flaming arrows', and it held on until the fourth shot. The fifth shot, the mucilage body was torn apart.

That's why...

''Gwaaaaaaah!

Eterina-Harsburg was decently exposed to the fragments of slime (haha) (burning) that flew off after being hit by the 'Arrow of Fire'.

Her hair, her clothes, even her limbs. Pieces of smoking slime cling to her body. Eterina-Harsburg screams and rolls around, trying to douse the flames with puddles on the floor.

That's the last thing she's going to do. Maybe she was going to use it to escape when she was transported. It's not something you'd normally notice. If you get hit by surprise, it could result in serious injuries if you're not careful.

But you can't just use it here ...... and expect to get away with it.

"...... I think it's time for you to take a break.

I wave my hand and signal to Aine.

'Yes. Nah-kun.

different

With a damp mop, Aine stroked Eterina-Harsburg's face behind the bars.

And, by the way, her hair, which was smoking, and her clothes.

There was a sizzling sound, and then the fire went out.

The eyes of Eterina-Harsburg's eyes have become glazed over. It's the effect of "Memory Clearing Lv 1".

I'm not going to be able to get to know you. You're the ...... thing.

I'm just a lazy guy, sir, but what is it?

"............ I, am I, am I, Koushaku...... Rei...... Ela ............ found out.

No.

I said.

'You're just a demon to the people of this world, I'm sure.

......

head of the house

Eterina-Harsburg's eyes closed.

Aine continues to mop Eterina's face as it is. In the new, empty basement, I listen. Still, the regulars don't seem to have noticed. Let's stick with it until the very last minute - preferably until we can erase our memories with "memory wiping".

It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

What was tricky about it?

Isn't the Guildmaster a "person"?　Demi-humans?

Is he one of the king's men? Is he one of your boys, an illegitimate member of your crew?　Are you scouting for visitors and offering them a job?　Is it true that you can return to the world?　Or are you just bluffing?

There's not much to go on right now. If we could just stick with it... This guy and I don't think like that. I can adjust to it, but adjusting to this guy's way of thinking is incredibly tiring: .......

Here are a few things I've learned.

"Eterina Harsburg is here on the orders of someone called 'Guildmaster'.

"This 'guildmaster' guy is trying to take away a power they can't control.

'That's why I'm scouting for the Visitors. I'm using them to bait them back into the world. We have no idea if that's even possible. We don't even know if it's possible, and we don't know their relationship to the king. It's more like they're scouting for 'visitors' who are good at dirty work and getting them to do their jobs.

Finally.

"The deformed golem created by Eterina Hersburg lies at the bottom of a lake along the road.

That's about right. I guess I'd better give the last information to the lord as well.

Eterina-Harsburg will now be sent to the magical experimental city. Then, she will be installed with the 'Lock Skill' that blocks the skill. After being interrogated, she's going to be sent back to the Marquess family if necessary.

It's not that I'm not interested in seeing what happens to this guy after he loses his powers: ......

...... I don't want to see him again.

It's over, Nay-kun.

I noticed that Aine, who had finished using 'Memory Sweeping', was standing there with her memory crystal body.

Fluffy.

Aine's warm hand took my hand in hers.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.

Um, Aine ......?

You look so tired, Nayuko.

I'm not tired of it.

When Nai-kun gets tired, his hands get cold.

...... is it?

A little bit. It's hard to tell if you're not a big sister. Plus, she looked a little scared.

Oh, I think I did.

Because talking to Eterina-Harsburg reminded me of the original world.

Also, ...... has been through a lot, so maybe I'm just tired.

But it's not just me. Everyone else is, too.

I think it's time to put the plan into action.

Plan?

'Yeah, I had a secret plan that I was going to execute once I got settled. It's something I could never have executed in my original world, and it's something I've always longed for.

As we talk, we're on the ground.

The Elder Slime was gone, but so far, it was all clear.

We walked through to the service entrance without incident, and when we got outside, we turned around.

There was a room with a faintly glowing lamp by the window. That was Iris's room. Maybe that's where Iris and Rafilia would be watching us.

Aine and I, and Reggie, wave to them and then start walking.

We walk into the forest to avoid being seen. We can hear the sound of the leaves shift and the sound of the waves. At the same time I'm thinking that we should get to this area, Aine says, "So, what's the plan? And then he opens his mouth. He read my breath. That's what makes her the strongest sister.

'Yeah. We've all worked too hard, so I think we should take the day off.

'Closed?　I have no memory of ever having worked.

At my shoulder, Reggie shakes his twin-tailed hair and nods his head.

No, you worked pretty hard this time, too, didn't you?

But I'll take what I can get. Just me and my maid?

All of you. I'll be up late from now on, it'll be a waste of time to sleep. Okay, day after tomorrow.

I declare to Aine and Reggie.

'I declare it in the name of my master. The day after tomorrow, our party will be on vacation entirely. And...

Aine and Reggie are breathlessly waiting for my words.

'This vacation is a 'paid vacation' given to the entire party. The entire party will be given 12 silver coins - 12 arsha - to all of them. This is my decision, and I will not allow it to be overturned.

I will repeat it. The day after tomorrow is your 'paid vacation'. Are you OK with that?

It sounds good: ...... 'Paid Leave (Yuu Kyukka)'.

I've been wanting to use it once. This word.