44. Hadrias’ Invitation
Time and space changes to focus on Reijiās party.
Klant City is a blessed habitat. Ā It has the same climate found in the middle of the Aster Kingdom and a spring from the northern the mountain range.Ā Its only fault is that because it is close to the national border, living there comes at a great risk.Ā Various battles are said to have been waged there hundreds of years ago.Ā However, due to the highway connecting it to the Empire and Sardius Alliance, itās also a prosperous place with an abundant circulation of money.
The capital city of Metal’s respect for traditional customs and its proper maintenance lets the people live comfortable lives.Ā The city also preserves a solid defense.Ā The castle walls as of late are being refurbished with the newly discovered anti-magic material. Ā Furthermore, the military is being augmented as a check to the Empireās military force.Ā After all, during emergencies, this fortress, being so close to the border, is Aster Kingdomās second line of defense.
Reiji and his party have lodgings near the edge of this commercial bastide.Ā Hadrias invited them after Rajasā defeat and threw them a triumphant parade upon arrival.Ā Reiji was praised by the public for defeating the mazoku army, but to him, the lie everyone celebrated brought him false honor.
Reiji, Mizuki, and Titania sit in a circle on the sofa inside an innās room.Ā Mizuki gulps a glass of rose water and lets out a sigh.Ā āThat parade was amazing.ā
āYeah, they might have even spent more money for this one than the one in Metal.ā
This parade lasted for three days whereas Metalās only took one.Ā It was undoubtedly large scale.
Mizuki says without much thought, āI just realized this because of the parade, but Klant City is pretty richā¦Ā Although, it is the result of that guyās work.ā
āDuke Hadrias is a powerful aristocrat who governs over a vast amount of land including Klant City.Ā His wealth and military might make his authority second to none within the Aster Kingdom.ā
Mizuki makes a complicated expression as she glances out the window at Titaniaās answer.Ā Hadrias governs over a city that, in terms of size, is second only to the royal capital.Ā Three things stand out to them about him when they reflect on the past few days.Ā He has the military strength to face a mazoku general, the financial power to host a large scale parade, and the political authority to host said parade.Ā Not only can he do all that, but he also possesses the drive to make them happen.
āBut is doing all this really alright?Ā I didnāt actually do anythingā¦āĀ Everyone contributed to Rajasā subjugation.Ā Giving me all of the credit is too much.ā
āActually, Reiji-samaā¦Ā Please forgive me, but I also agree. Ā Making this your deed benefits my country.ā
āYeah, I understand.āĀ Hadrias used the mazokuās defeat to inspire the publicās withering moral.Ā Titania, aware of the circumstances, approved of Hadriasā scheme to host the large scale parade.Ā Reiji also understands the situation, but is also aware to how little he actually contributed to that battle.Ā If anything, heās like a hyena snatching away someone elseās glory.
Mizuki voices her cynicism, āWhat a typical story.Ā Using someone elseās feats to boost your own image.Ā How typical of the aristocracy.Ā If it increases your countryās standing internationally, then why not?ā
āYou are absolutely right.Ā That is why you cannot be negligent when dealing with Hadrias-kyo.Ā He did not hesitate to use Suimei, Reiji-samaās friend, for his own political goals. Ā Not even the Empireās princess, Graziella, was above his grasp.ā Titania adds, āI shall say this once more.Ā Do not take him lightly.ā
She is extremely wary about Hadrias.Ā When Reiji first met him, he got a bad vibe off of him.Ā Now, heās fairly certain he hates the man.Ā Reiji, while having such thoughts, asks, āSay, Tia, about Suimei and the caravan being used as a decoy, what are your thoughts about that?Ā Suimei is my friend, but in regards to the Aster Kingdomās citizensā¦.ā
āIn all honesty, I am torn over this matter.Ā When I consider the harm the mazoku forces could have inflicted, I find myself agreeing with the decision.Ā However, that is not something I want to do.āĀ With that said, Titania lowers her head.
Both Reiji and Mizuki raise their voices at Titaniaās unexpected bow.Ā āEh!āĀ Huh?āĀ Overcome by surprise, neither are able to speak properly.
Titania continues, āReiji-sama, Mizuki, please forgive me.Ā I also thought that was a good strategy when I first heard it.ā
āNo, itās fine.Ā Your position forces you to have different perspective from us.Ā You think so too, right, Mizuki?ā
āā¦Yeah.āĀ Mizukiās eyes glance downward as she gives a reluctant agreement.Ā Her mouth droops as she stares out the window.Ā Suimei was one of her earliest friends.Ā They werenāt dating, but such a development could have happened.Ā āSuimei-kun, we never did find him.ā
āDonāt worry so much.Ā Thereās no doubt that Suimei is safe.ā
āBecause heās cunning?ā
āThatās right, and besides, donāt you remember what sensei said?ā
Reiji recalls Felmeniaās parting words.Ā āāSuimei-dono is surely fine.āĀ Then again, she could have said that out of concern for our anxiety.
āWhite Flame-donoās voice did sound off.Ā If we take that into consideration, then there is a possibility that she knows something we do not.Ā She herself might even be tracking Suimeiās footsteps.ā
āTracking his footsteps?Ā How?ā
āWith magicā¦Ā White Flame-dono is an unprecedented spell caster from my country who wields magic never before achieved.ā
āAhā¦ā
Mizuki recalls Felmeniaās lessons at Titaniaās words.Ā The reminder also results in Reiji striking his hands together.
A modest knock resounds from the door.Ā Loffryās voice soon follows.Ā āExcuse me, Reiji-sama, may I enter?ā
āLoffry?Ā Sure, thatās fine.ā
āExcuse m- Wait, Titania-sama!Ā Fo- Forgive my intrusion!ā
Reiji wonders if something is wrong with Loffry.Ā He opened the door and jumped with shock.Ā Heās so confused, heās practically foaming bubbles out of his mouth as he lowers his head in shame.Ā The most likely explanation is that heās come to a ridiculous conclusion that Reiji and Titania were alone together.
Titania gives a small sigh upon realizing his misunderstanding.Ā āNo, everything is fine.Ā Mizuki is also present.ā
āHuh?Ā Oh, she really isā¦āĀ Loffry speaks while making a dumbfounded expression.Ā The moment of silence that follows provides everyone a momentary relief.
Mizuki then leans towards him while making a mischievous smile.Ā āSay~ Loffry-san, just what were you imagining?ā
āHuh? N-No!Ā I wasnāt think anything strange!ā
āOh?Ā I never mentioned the word āstrangeā.ā
Loffry looks left and right as he realizes he dug his own grave.Ā āA-ahwawawawaā¦..ā
Reiji, feeling pity for man, gives him a hand by saying, āMizuki.āĀ She then confesses, with a smile that fuses mischief with sincerity, that she was only teasing him.
Reiji says, āLoffry, did something happened?ā
āYes, an envoy has arrived from Duke Hadrias.ā
–That Cute Star that I Still Canāt Make, Sorry–
Reiji finds Hadriasā unexpected envoy waiting in the lobby.Ā He follows the messenger to outside a private room within the Dukeās manor.Ā Beyond those doors is Hadrias waiting to greet him with his usual hard expression.Ā Thereās music playing.Ā Somewhere inside must be a musician.Ā The murmurs echoing out from behind the door are brought to a gentle end.
Reiji, while taking in everything, resolves himself to greet the lord of the manor.Ā His opponent is Hadrias.Ā Before leaving the inn, Titania warned him to be careful while Mizuki said sheād pray for his safety.Ā He was also told that this request is unreasonable and that he should refuse the invitation.
Reiji shakes his head at the thought.Ā Inside that private room is a sly aristocrat, one Titania warned Reiji to stay vigilant against.Ā Heās only guessing, but he gets a feeling that he will be meeting with Hadrias very often in the future.Ā Therefore, he canāt just say he doesnāt want to meet him.Ā Instead, he should take the initiative to see what kind of man Lucas D. Hadrias really is.
Thatās whyā, Reiji once more resolves his heart and knocks on the door.
Hadrias, upon confirming Reijiās identity, gives a curt, āEnter.ā
Reiji says, āExcuse me,ā while opening the door.Ā The room he walks into is a luxurious parlor.Ā The greeting he gives while stepping forward is brief and to the point.
Hadrias, seated elegantly on his chair, stares at Reiji who stands before the door.Ā āYuusha-dono, wonāt you have a seat?ā
āIn my country, first time visitors wait for the head of the house to recommend where they should sit.Ā I am uncomfortable breaking this custom.ā
The sharpness in Hadriasās presence weakens a bit as he voices his wonder. Ā He says, āHou, respect is held in high regard within Yuusha-donoās country.Ā Then, is it necessary that I recommend a seat for you as well?āĀ While glancing towards a glass filled with a red liquid on the opposite end of the table.
āIs this alcohol?ā
āGrape wine, the taste isnāt bad.ā
Not bad?Ā Regardless, āI appreciate your hospitality, but Iāll have to refuseā¦ā
āAre you unable to drink alcohol?ā
āPeople must reach a certain age before they can consume alcohol in my countryā¦Ā I will have to refrain from drinking in order to stay in compliance with those laws.ā
Hadrias, at Reijiās tactful rejection, drinks from his glass.Ā āHmm, is there a reason for such a law?ā
āThe human body cannot properly process alcohol until around the age of 20.Ā That alcohol goes on to inhibit the bodyās development.Ā Therefore, those laws were passed to protect the people.ā
Hadrias stares at his glass of wine at Reijiās explanation.Ā āTo think that drinking the goddessās blood could have such an effect.Ā But to go so far as to ban the drinking of alcoholā¦Ā No, perhaps the intention is to nurture the capabilities of the populace?ā
Hadrias forgets about Reiji as he stares at his glass and murmurs to himself.Ā Reiji, seeing Hadrias lost in thought, asks, āWhy did you invite me?ā
āWhy, I merely wanted to speak with you for a bit.ā
āThis isnāt the right atmosphere for an enjoyable conversation.ā
āFuu, excuse me for that.āĀ The reason for his apology is obvious.Ā Hadrias, ever since Reiji entered the room, had been electrifying the atmosphere.Ā Upon having it pointed out, he displays a smile full of contempt, as though his apology were but an empty gesture.
Reiji feels that this is the utmost leeway Hadrias will grant to his behavior.Ā Itās the leeway granted by the strong.Ā The only reason heās going this far for Reiji is because heās the Yuusha.
Hadrias scrutinizes his wine with an indiscriminative stare.Ā He narrows his eyes in appreciation of the drink and asks, āYuusha-dono, why did you accept our request to subjugate the Demon Lord?ā
āTo save the people of this world.āĀ Reiji gives the same response he gave to Almadias.Ā His reason for accepting this request still hasnāt changed.
āYou wish to save the people of this world despite having no reason to do so?Ā You stand to gain nothing by doing this.Ā Yet, despite aware of this outcome, you still say that?ā
āWhat are you trying to say, your Excellency?ā
āYou misunderstand.Ā I am merely inquiring to the origin of your selfless decision.ā
āā¦?ā
Reiji wonders what Hadrias is trying to learn from that question.Ā Itās a strange inquiry.Ā From the merciful look Hadrias sends, Reiji is unable to discern his true intentions.Ā Hadrias is like a falcon waiting for a moment of weakness to appear.Ā Whatever reason heās asking such a question reeks of ulterior motives.
Hadrias finds amusement in Reijiās confusion and releases a dry laugh.Ā āWell, thatās fine.Ā Let me ask again, Yuusha-dono, what kind of place was your world?ā
āMy world?ā
āYes, how would you compare this one to your own?ā
Reiji wonders if he really should compare the two worlds.Ā He had a similar discussion in the royal castle with Almadias, but this timeā āThe biggest difference between my world and this one is technological development.Ā Even though this world has magic, it canāt compare the convenience of my worldās technology.ā
āTechnologicalā¦ development?Ā Does it have something to do with the prohibition on alcohol you mentioned?ā
Hadrias, at Reijiās āYes,ā for some reason looks out the window.Ā While gazing at the scenery, he says, āYuusha-dono, what do you think about this world?ā
āItās nothing like my world, but itās a good world.ā
Disappointment laces Hadriasās tone.Ā Ā āA good world, you sayā¦?ā Despite the intent behind his questions still being unknown, he asks another, āYuusha-dono, what do you see beyond this window?ā
Reiji wonders if heās being asked to look out the window.Ā The scene is one viewed from only three stories up, but the town and people are still within view.Ā Street lights flicker and illuminate the various houses of Klant as dusk washes over the city.Ā Off in the distance, he recognizes the glittering blue and green lights that distinguish the pleasure district.Ā āWhat do you mean?ā
āThis world hasnāt moved forward at all in the hundreds of years that have gone by.Ā Everyone rests at the same time, goes to work at the same time, falls in love at the same time, has children at the same time, and dies at the same time.Ā Technological development is at a complete standstill, countries rise and fall through war and diplomacy, and the people are stuck with their same ways of thinking.Ā Progress no longer flows here.āĀ Hadrias concludes in a cold tone by adding, āThis world is nothing more than the goddessā personal garden.ā
Reiji wonders if sorrow or grief is what motivates Hadriasās words.Ā There is a connection between cultural development and human nature, and people want that which they do not own, but that isnāt the same as desiring something that is impossible.
āDo you, the Yuusha who comes from a developed world, still think this is a good world?ā
āEveryone lives in peace.Ā Does anything more than that really matter?Ā Change without reason creates conflict.Ā Even in my world, thatās something we werenāt able to remove.ā
āā¦ā¦.ā
Reiji uses Hadriasā silence to think.
āā This is a bit sudden, but Yuusha-dono, go visit the Empire after this.ā
āEhā¦.ā
āWithin the Empireā Princess Graziella has begun to take action.Ā By taking up residence there, youāll be able to curtail her movements for a bit.āĀ Hadrias makes a decisive statement.Ā His tone leaves no room for argument despite conflicting with Reijiās plans.
āIs that an order?ā
āOf course.ā
āExcept, I have no obligation towards you.Ā My mission is to subjugate the Demon Lord, Nakshatra.ā
āThat certainly is the case.Ā āExcept, Yuusha-dono, Iāve heard that you hurried here because of Gregory?āĀ Electricity runs through the room at Hadriasās words.Ā Naturally, that is nothing more than Reijiās feelings.
āIs thatā Are you threatening me?ā
āFuuā, feel free to interpret it that way.Ā However, a formal investigation was never held so there is nothing backing what I just said.Ā Whatever you are thinking is a baseless accusation.ā
āāChe!Ā Not only did you use my friend as a decoy, now you say this!!ā
āThat was nothing more than sacrificing a small piece to save the whole.Ā As for your friend, wait a little longer before making any such statements.Ā Weāre still searching for him.Ā Weāll be able to discover if heās alive or dead once we find his trail.Ā So far, there havenāt been any reports.āĀ Hadrias snorts as though what he says is a trivial matter.Ā āMore likely than not, heās probably dead.ā
āHow dare you speak like thatā¦ā
As Reijiās anger exceeds his boiling point, Hadrias says, āWhat?Ā Iām merely stating a possibility.ā
āDonāt you feel the slightest bit of guilt towards what you did to Suimei?ā
āIf I say yes, will you calm down?ā
āāChe!āĀ That reply is unforgivable to Reiji.Ā He grits his teeth and glares at Hadrias.Ā The etiquette he was displaying vanishes as he loses himself to fury.
Yet, Hadrias continues with no regard to Reijiās anger.Ā āI believe his name was Suimei Yakagi?Ā He was just unlucky.Ā Iāll be troubled if you get angry at me.ā
āBastardā!!āĀ Reiji canāt contain himself any longer as his fist flies forward.Ā Nothing holds him back anymore.Ā The consequence to his actions barely register in his mind.
Hadrias catches Reijiās fist.
āWhaā¦?ā
āFuunā¦āĀ Hadrias isnāt even interested by what just happened.
This manā¦Ā Even though Reiji didnāt put all of his strength behind that blow, it was still an explosive punch powered by the divine blessing granted to those summoned to save the world.Ā It had all that and Hadrias stopped it without batting an eye.
Hadrias casts Reiji aside and looks back out the window.Ā āYou arenāt focused enough.Ā The way you are now, youāre no where near ready to face the Demon Lord.Ā To become stronger, youāll need to gain a lot more experience.Ā Now, about the Empireāā
Reiji wonders if he has any room to argue.Ā Hadrias implies something will happen to Gregory if he doesnāt.
āā¦ Iāll go to the Empire.Ā But keep your hands off of Gregory and his family.Ā Now, about Suimei.ā
āI will continue the search as promised.Ā As the Yuusha-donoās friend, heās a very valuable pawn.ā
āYou bastardā¦āĀ Reiji canāt believe Hadrias is still saying that.Ā However, there is nothing he can do with his weak point taken hostage.Ā Heās frustrated, but the only form of resistance he can display now is to leave in silence.Ā Just as he grips the doorknob,
āāYuusha-dono, thereās still one thing I need to tell you.ā
āā¦What?ā
āFrom now on, you will be encountering many enemies.Ā Not all of them will be human.ā
Reiji wonders why heās being told this.Ā I couldnāt beā¦ āAre you calling me naĆÆve because of what I asked Rajas?ā
āNo, hearing that was a relief for me.ā
āEh–?āĀ Reiji didnāt expect those words from Hadrias.Ā He expected criticism for asking the mazoku their reason for waging war against humanity.
āYuusha-dono, this world is different from yours.Ā You need to adapt your way of thinking to match this placeās.Ā Thatās why, in your future battles against mazoku, donāt distract yourself by pondering if what youāre doing is right or wrong.ā
āWhat do you mean?ā
āIām talking about that being.Ā That being attacks humanity for no reason.Ā Many speculate that that prominent being exists solely to destroy humanity along with all the other races.ā
āSpeculation of a prominent being?Ā What are youā¦ā
Hadrias concludes with the words, āThat isnāt something you need to know about at the moment.Ā Your question is meaningless.ā
In the end, Reiji canāt tell if he was given advice or a warning.Ā āā¦Ā Well, is that everything?ā
āJust one more thing.ā
Reiji cannot figure out Hadriasā aim.Ā He already asked this much, yet he still has more to say?
Hadrias looks back out the window as he asks, āYuusha-dono, what do you wish to obtain once your battle is over?ā
āNothing, I donāt want anything.ā
āStatus, fame, wealth, women.Ā You do understand that you could have anything you want from the entire world?ā
āHow annoying.Ā I donāt care for any of that.Ā Iām not fighting to improve my position in life.ā
āReally?Ā In that case, I have nothing more to ask.Ā For now, use this time up until you venture for the Empire to rest.ā
Reiji turns his back to Hadrias and leaves without a word.
āThe summoned Yuushaā¦.ā
ā¦Hadrias watches Reijiās return to his inn from a second floor window.Ā The expression with which he watches is one of misgiving.Ā He looks up to the darkening twilight sky and asks him another question, āYuusha Reiji, what are your thoughts about this world?Ā When you said this was a good world, were those your honest feelings?Ā Do you really feel that way about this rotten world?Ā A world that, thanks to the goddess, has no futureā?ā
T/N:Ā And finished.Ā You know, I should probably stop promising to finish a chapter per week.Ā Thatās obviously not happening and I get the feeling saying that is only going to jinx me.Ā Well, Iāll keep doing what I can while I can.Ā Anyway, if Reiji really doesnāt want anything after saving the world, I have a few suggestions.Ā To go home.Ā Wait, that canāt be done?Ā Okay then, Hadriasās head on a silver platter.
In other news, a bit back I wrote the first draft of my novel.Ā My inspirations for it were OSO and .Hack.Ā Anyway, enough time has gone by that Iām finally able to start editing it.Ā In all honesty, it isnāt that good, but I donāt care.Ā I wrote it and my biased opinion is that itās amazing!Ā I just wanted a moment to brag about it, thatās all.
Thanks for reading,
Gandire Alea~
Adrian si rivela un uomo deluso dalla vita!
I think you should skip this part and go translate to the part where skythewood’s LN left.
yup, i’m agree with you….
i dont think there are significant difference with the LN version…
I saw the same type of commends on a other side and i’m a bit confused.
I’ve read the wn to chapter 24 then i read all the LN chapters up to volume 3 chapter 3 then i went back to the WN from chapter 43. ( same stuff is happening from that point). now that chapter 44 of the WN is out, the WN should be further then the LN or am i missing some other LN that’s even further than Skythewood’s LN?
Thanks for the chapter!
I am glad you started translating this, the TL in skythewood is good but the time it takes is killing me, and I was confused in some parts with the changes between LN and WN.
I bet Suimei and Hadrias will end as good friends(more like hope telling the true).
It is possible. If Hadrias sees that Suimei in some way that he can befit from him.
Don’t think they will be good friend. I mean the way they prioritize is different. It will and can cause them to crash. But I do think they can work together if what they want or the goal is same. More like friend with benefit things….
Thanks for the chapter. It is kind of like the talk in “No Game, No Life” where the MC talks how the human society has not evolve in the past centuries because of war. Because of war helps to bring in create technology and such. This whole thing of how battles are won on sacrifices reminds me how the battles are done and won on the manga “Kingdom”.
In reality that’s actually not true. Humanity only makes progress at first BECAUSE of war. I mean If two cavemen fought each other with sticks do you really think they wouldn’t speculate a better weapon to kill their enemy with? “Why not attach a rock to the end of that stick? but how? maybe use some tree bark to make string and use that to fasten that to the rock”
Unfortunately for us War is progress and the best examples of that are of coarse the first 2 world wars. There were massive technological shifts during the entire coarse of the 20th century. All thanks to war.
The REAL reason progress isn’t made is because of religion but that is a discussion best left aside since it can make some people pretty sensitive.
Just for the sake of throwing a wrench into your argument, “religious war.”
I pretty much they same thing I just said. But you were more clearer about it.
I just realize after the commit I wrote. This has not being updated for about 2 months now. The LN version is being updated regularly and is on vol. 5. Way head of this 1.
You might want to double check on that.
I did. On the Novel Update site it stops at ch. 53.
I meant about the last update
Let us think. Protect the people from a world that I do not belong in, or protect my close friend? Also, most of the people Reiji has meet have been using the heroes and his friend. Really, this world does not deserve to be saved, especially a world that has nothing to do with him,
Guys, you should try read the LN translation, it’s already way ahead from this
I’m trying to figure out where ch44 would be in the novels and I just can’t connect the dots…
I fuckin hate Eiji, IDK I just do.
<3
Thank you for the chapter!
And can I ask if there is a chapter 27 and if it is possible to be translated. Thank you!
Not an actual chapter 27, but the equivalent is on skythewood’s website. It would be novel 3, prologue.
Thanks
Like he can use Souei as a pawn… but I like to view try it…
Thanks for the chapter…
I’m also looking forward to that encounter.
If you have the resolve to kill to defeat evil, wouldn’t it make more sense to uproot the evil before your eyes first?
Thanks for the chapter!
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As the first commenter, you get a cyber Yun plushi with a bow and cooking knife.
Thanks for the chapter!
Thanks for the chapter.
As a leecher, I’m grateful for every chapters you finished.
As long as I get my dose š
Dosage?? Sounds more like an addict…
Addicted.
Hard addict.