Chapter 35: Evacuation

Chapter?35: Evacuation

Chapter 35

Evacuation

“Branch Chief, are you really going?”

At Kaina-san who’s eyes were curved up in worry, Gark Welter let out a snort.

His appearance wasn’t his usual when working at the Explorers Association Zebrudia Branch.

So that his arms and legs could move freely, he wore crimson armour covering only the vital areas, and on his head was a helm adorned with thorns.

Around his waist were all kinds of tools and potions for times of emergency, as well as a machete that had uses outside of battle. From his time as a hunter, he still had a lot of equipment remaining.

His armour and helm had numerous small chips and scratches; it could be understood that the equipment had gone through countless battlefields.

However, most eye catching of all was the tall halberd clutched in his right hand. It was a strange halberd coloured black and tinged with blue.

Compared to the pointed tip, the axe portion was much larger. From looking at it

you could assume it was made for mowing down enemies.

In the past, even before the 『ultra life seed』 that was said to have experienced everything in history, there were those that loved blacksmithing and fighting.

Those people refined their smithing within their lifetimes, and devised a technique to work mana into metal.

They were also skilled warriors that loved war, and so created a lot of unique equipment. They were said to have retreated from calamities many times and were prosperous for a long period.

After an eternity of time, traces of such a civilisation were mostly nonexistent.

The technique of refining special metals which was the backbone of the civilisation, was lost.

Many Magi and master blacksmiths have attempted to reproduce it, but haven’t found any clues to the technique.

――However, this item was different.

In the present time, there are many weapon type Relics found in Shrines. They were said to be recreations of what was created in the era of that civilisation of advanced magical weaponry.

A large sword that can manipulate flame. A sword that never bends or breaks. A lance that can cut through the air several meters ahead of it.

Even now they were a threat – surpassing the strength of average metal and cutting through monsters and phantoms with ease, a legacy from ancient times.

The use of a Relic required a long period of training. That’s why hunters did not carry many Relics.

However, with the limited Relics they had, hunters often chose weapons from that era as a partner they could bet their life with.

Gark’s halberd was also one of these Relics.

It was a partner that was with Gark until he ended his time as a Level 7 hunter.

Clad in intense cold, a halbert that froze over the internals of those it cut 『Blizzard War Fang』.

There were many that approached him to sell it when he retired, but in the end he couldn’t let it go.

He gripped it for the first time in a while, a cold sensation was passed into his palm from the grip, and Gark’s expression stiffened.

A good mood could be felt from that sullen expression, and Kaina breathed a deep sigh.

“Branch chief, you, you’re not a hunter anymore you know? You understand that right?”

“I know. I’m not going to do anything unreasonable.”

“This shouldn’t be a problem since we have the full cooperation of 『First Step』.

『Iron Cross』 has also already gone ahead of them... for Gark-san to go as well is....”

“...Tch”

At the disapproving words of the assistant branch chief, Gark clicked his tongue and made a slight movement.

The tip of the halbert brushed against the ceiling, and frost began to fall. With his weapons and armour his equipment weighed over 100 kilograms, Gark’s usual countenance was unchanged.

“Liz finished things while looking down on me! My power has dropped, but I’m still not planning on being defeated by todays hunters. I have experience!”

“...That’s, just like a kid...”

Gark looked away from the small voice that was leaked out. Originally Gark was a Level 7 hunter. There weren’t very many hunters that looked down on Gark that held the second name 『War Ogre』.

It seemed that being looked down on to the extent that Liz had was intolerable. He spoke to the head shorter Kaina as if giving an excuse.

There was no doubt that an abnormality had occurred. It was certain, but they had no idea what the cause was.

『Iron Cross』 had high fighting abilities, but their ability to investigate wasn’t any

more than the average party.

But the Explorers Association that had made the request probably didn’t require

much. If they needed greater detail, then they probably would have hired specialised researchers.

To Sven and the others talking calmly, Henrik nervously interjected. “Sven-san, wasn’t this not worth receiving?”

“Mmm...well since we were asked...” Saying that, Sven scratched his cheek.

『Iron Cross』 was asked to investigate the White Wolves Den at the time the

Explorers Association had approached Cry.

They weren’t obligated to accept, but after receiving the clan masters declaration ‘I’m busy so I can’t go’, they had a party meeting.

One reason was that they had the spare time.

Henrik’s expression still held dissatisfaction.

In the end his party was being used for an errand, perhaps getting swept up in the request was still weighing on his mind.

Sven tried to placate that expression by talking.

“Well, you can also experience exploring a shrine. And I told you before, it’s ok if you stay in town right?”

“...That would be impossible. I’m also a member of this party...” The quiet swordsman clapped him on his upright back.

As Henrik started coughing, laughter rang out.

“–Cough, cough.....but-but it looks like we’re cleaning up after the Master-“ “...Well, Henrik, you’ll understand someday.”

To add to his meaning Sven was wearing a wild smile.

Seeing the others offer no objections, Henrik gave a short nod.

Without a direct battle, they walked for tens of minutes.

Halfway to the boss room, the bag on Sven’s waist started shaking all of a sudden. Sven stopped immediately, and took out a black stone from inside the bag.

『Footprints』 was a large clan. The difference between it and other clans was that while others had a strong aspect to parties gathering together, it was in this area

that Footprints was highly organised.

It was a feature rarely seen for hunters that hated being bound by things.

The 『black stone』 was a Relic also referred to as a 『sound stone』. Found in pairs, words spoken to one stone were transmitted through the other. It was a unique way of transmitting information.

The sound stone Sven carried was purchased after consultation with 『Iron

Cross』. The other was placed at the clan headquarters so they could be contacted in an emergency.

A 『sound stone』 was generally expensive.

It required a lot of money, yet as a Relic it required training to use properly. But when one was found it sold quickly after being taken to the markets.

The one carried by Sven was also purchased through an intermediary, and it wasn’t something requested by the clan.

The expression of Sven, who held the stone close to his ear, quickly turned into a scowl.

The conversation was only a few words. “Ahh, got it. You saved us.”

He put away the stone that had lost it’s power. He turned to his companions that were watching the surroundings vigilantly.

“We’re leaving at once. The situation has changed. Cry increased the amount of personnel coming from 『Footprints』. Watch out for a slime. Let the other parties know. Sound the evacuation whistle.”

“Eh? ...Eh?” “Understood.”

While Henrik was bewildered, one of the swordsmen whistled. The sharp sound indicating an emergency echoed inside the cave.

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Translator notes

Not sure if the ultra life seed has been mentioned... Not sure what it is, it sounds similar to the concept of the worlds memory mentioned in an earlier chapter.

Lighter seems to be the term for recovery specialists. It has mentioned healer as a role before, but perhaps it’s a further distinction between pure white mage and paladin and other roles.

Really wanted to call it a tele-stone. The sound stone has an extra kanji meaning together. So it’s literally more like ‘together or paired sound stone’. But my brain is dead so I can’t think of anything good.

The sound of a whistle for emergency might also actually be an actual pipe or flute that gets blown.