Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no “Kokoro”-

[Ln] Volume 2: Chapter 1.2

[LN] Volume 2: Chapter 1.2

This chapter was brought to you by the collaboration between PolterGlast and Saekano Translations.

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Volume 2 Chapter 1.2

Changes in Everyday Life Part 2

Translator : PolterGlast

The Adventurers' Guild, Arcazam Branch.

Located in the commercial district in the southern part of Arcazam, it is one of the largest of the many buildings in the city.

Inside the five-story concrete building with three underground levels, there are several departments, including a reception office, a dismantling shop, and an appraisal center, where a large number of employees work.

However, students mostly use only the reception office. Hence, the hall on the first floor where the reception office is located is crowded with many students.

Following Irisdina's invitation, Nozomu visited the Adventurers' Guild with Mars, but the hustle and bustle of the guild, which he had not seen in a long time, made him somewhat nervous.

"Oi, there's someone unusual here."

"Why is that guy here?"

"Who knows? Well, we don't have to worry about it. He won't be able to get a decent request anyway."

"Most likely, he's here just to beg some party to give him a piggyback ride. What a parasite."

Among the students who frequented the Adventurers' Guild, there were those who were familiar with Nozomu.

When they saw Nozomu, they would give him a dubious look, followed by ignoring him and walking away as if they had seen nothing. Some of them gave me a distinctly mocking gesture when their gazes met.

Although it was inevitable, Nozomu frowned upon seeing their attitude.

"Tch, what a bunch of noisy bastards ......."

Then, when Mars who was standing next to him glared at them, they quickly began to scurry away.

"Oi, why are you letting them off the hook like that?"

"It's not like we can just punch them in the face, right? ......"

Nozomu sighed in response to Mars, who told him to use force to shut them up.

No matter how much they may have been ridiculing him, it was clear that if they were to hit them, the criticism would be directed at them.

Besides, this time they were planning to form a party with Irisdina and Tima. If they were to cause a commotion, it would inevitably cause trouble for them.

However, even Nozomu couldn't help but feel the pent-up anger building up deep in his heart.

(I used to feel nothing before.)

In the past, he had unconsciously averted his eyes and closed his mind, making it difficult to feel the pain. However, from the moment he became aware of his escapism, Nozomu had become more clearly and sensitively aware of the voices around him.

This was proof that his eyes had gradually begun to see his surroundings, and at the same time, he had begun to face the pain that he had been looking away from.

But while he was aware that the current pain was due to his process to change, he was not yet at peace enough to look at everything in a positive light.

"Hey, sorry to keep you guys waiting."

Just as Nozomu was becoming aware of his anguish, a refreshing voice sounded in his ears.

Immediately after, the anguish that had been swirling in the depths of his chest disappeared like a tide.

Irisdina, a regular visitor to the guild's hall, approached Nozomu.

Beside her, Tima is also present.

The eyes of the surrounding students turned to Irisdina and Tima, and then to Nozomu and Mars whom she had called out to. The stares were exactly the same as those that were directed at them in the classroom at lunchtime earlier in the day. It was a mixture of suspicion, upset, jealousy, and murderous intent.

"N-, no, not really."

"So, what's this request you want us to work on together?"

"I'll tell you at the reception desk. Shall we go then?"

"Alright......."

While Nozomu, who was receiving the most murderous stares, was flustered, Irisdina and the others headed for the reception desk.

Nozomu followed suit, but at that moment he bumped into a shadow that had jumped out from the side of the crowd.

"Whoa there!"

"Kyaa!"

Nozomu quickly grabbed the hand of the shadow that was about to fall. The soft skin typical of women and the slender arm that seemed as if it might break was felt back in the palm of his hand.

"S-, sorry. Are you-...... okay?"

A blue curtain spread out before Nozomu's eyes. The face of a girl on the other side of the curtain made Nozomu's eyes widen involuntarily.

She had long, azure blue, straight hair. Her eyes were tinted the same color as her hair. Her face was surprisingly white and well-shaped.

And the most distinctive feature of all was the long, pointed ears peeking out from her azure hair.

"......Elf?"

Elves.

The highly intellectual races living on the continent of Arkmel are broadly divided into two categories: human and demihuman, and within the demihuman race there are a wide variety of races.

Among them, elves were somewhat unique and mysterious.

They are the only race that can make a direct contract with spirits.

Normally, they would never come out in public and live quietly in the depths of the forest, but they too lost their native forest during the Great Invasion 20 years ago and were thus scattered all over the continent.

Anyone could tell that she is a student of Solminati Academy because she wears the Academy's school uniform.

And Nozomu also remembered her name.

It was because she is the only elf who lives here in Arcazam.

"You are-......"

"...... I'm fine, so let go of me."

"Ah, right."

Upon hearing the elf girl's emotionless words, Nozomu let go of the hand he was holding.

She glanced at Nozomu with cold, emotionless eyes, then turned on her heel and walked away.

"Nozomu-kun, what's wrong?"

"No, I just bumped into someone......"

"Ah, I see, Sina Juliel-kun. I wonder if she has something to do with the guild as well?"

Shina Juliel. That is the name of the only elf in town.

When Nozomu turned around, she had already disappeared into the crowd and was out of sight.

"Nozomu-kun, are you all right?"

"Y-, yeah. I'm fine. Let's go."

After regaining his composure, he headed for the necessary procedures.

The Adventurers' Guild reception desk has a horizontal counter with several receptionists in constant operation.

"I am Irisdina Francilt, third grade, first class. I'm here to accept the request."

Upon arriving at the reception desk, Irisdina removed the nameplate from her chest and handed it to the receptionist, who was dressed in a crisp uniform.

The nameplate is used not only as an identification that she is a student of Solminati Academy, but also as a substitute for a student ID card and, by extension, as a form of identification in the guild.

"Yes, I have confirmed it. Here is the request form for the assigned request. Will the party consist of you and Tima Lime as usual?"

"Two additional members will join the party. Nozomu-kun and Mars-kun."

Prompted by Irisdina, Nozomu and Mars removed their nameplates and handed them to the receptionist.

The moment the receptionist saw the black nameplates indicating that they were of the tenth class, she looked at them with a momentary doubtful expression on her face.

"Are you of the tenth class, with ranks D and B?......"

It is not at all unusual for people of different ranks to form a party, but it is quite rare. Basically, people of the same rank are more likely to form a party. The reason is that they know each other well and have a good understanding of the other's movements and perspectives.

However, she needs to be professional. The receptionist immediately smiled and began the next procedure.

"...... Yes, we have approved it. But it is quite unusual for you to invite others to an assignment request."

"They're people I can rely on after all."

"You can rely on, huh?......"

After receiving the request form from the receptionist, Irisdina returned to Nozomu and the others.

"So what's the request about?"

"The request is to investigate the area near the highway that connects Arcazam with the Vein River. It seems that recently, demonic beasts have been coming down from the depths of the forest."

The Vein River flows from the Spasim Forest to the Forsina Kingdom, and at the same time, it serves as one of the main transportation routes for sending goods to Arcazam.

The safety of the highway connecting the Vein River and Arcazam is something that Arcazam must absolutely maintain, and for this reason, the regular subjugation of demonic beasts is carried out.

"O-, oi!"

Irisdina and the others were perplexed, but they followed Nozomu, who started to run.

After running through the forest for a while, they finally heard the roar of the beast echoing in the distance.

"Did it aim for the merchant caravans traveling along the highway, in this direction?"

"Haa haa haa....... Guys, wait~~!"

"Oi, hurry up, you're falling behind!"

"Tima isn't very good with physical exercise. The magic power she possesses is too strong, and strengthening her body is dangerous......."

"Tch, screw it......"

"Kyaa!"

Mars turned his mouth up in annoyance and grabbed Tima by the waist with his left hand and placed her on his shoulder as if he were carrying heavy luggage. Mars' sudden action made Tima flustered.

"Fue, fueee, fueeeeeee!"

"Don't struggle, I also carry a sword, so it's heavy and hard for me to move!"

"I'm not heavy! I'm lighter than a normal person!"

"I never said that you're heavy!"

The clamor was getting closer. And as Nozomu and the others dashed out onto the road, they saw, as they had expected, a group of people being attacked by a wolf-shaped demonic beast.

A horse-drawn carriage with two horses pulling a wagon. In the back of the wagon were merchants and travelers who were riding along with their luggage. Surrounding them were wolf-like demonic beasts.

"Are those, Direwolf!?"

Direwolf. A C-rank demonic beast, higher in rank than the Wild Dog.

It is larger in stature than an ordinary wolf and possesses muscle strength that can easily chew through human bones.

Moreover, like ordinary wolves, they attack their prey in packs, making them dangerous beasts to watch out for in this forest.

There are about 20 of them. However, three students from the Solminati Academy were standing between the carriage and the monsters, blocking the beasts that were about to attack.

One was a female beast with brownish-tiger patterned cat ears and tail. She was carrying a dagger in both hands, her whole body covered with Qi, and she was taunting the attacking Direwolves with her nimble movements.

A golem, which seemed to be made of clay, stood by her side, keeping the Direwolves in check as they tried to attack from her blind spot.

If one were to look closely, one would see a young boy in a Soluminati Academy uniform standing by the wagon, his hand extended out, his magic power surging. Perhaps this boy was the one who controlled the golem.

And a girl with distinctive blue hair was standing at the top of the wagon, holding a bow at the ready.

"That was the elf I met at the Adventurers' Guild......."

Shina Juliel, with her slender body and beautifully poised posture, shot arrows from her bow one after the other. The arrows flew through the air like a rushing wind, hitting the Direwolf's eyeballs and limbs with precision.

"Gyan!" "Gu~oooon!"

The Direwolves that were hit by the arrows screamed and thrashed about in agony.

The other Direwolves in the pack, however, were not intimidated, but rather roared as if their will to fight had been roused.

"They don't seem to back down even after their companions have sustained injuries. This pack is getting pretty fired up."

"Bring it on. Oi, get your spells ready. Separate the wagon from the demonic beasts. Nozomu and Irisdina, you should find the leader of this pack, he's probably nearby."

"E-, eh? Eeee~eh!'

Mars raised his Qi in response to Irisdina's words.

Ignoring the screaming Tima, Mars simultaneously activated his Qi-jutsu and [Flash Step]. He jumped out of the grassy area where Nozomu and the others were and charged toward the wolf pack.

"O soil, mother of the earth, abide! Let me be your sustenance, Fubbh-! My will bhh-...... Kyaaa!"

Tima, who was being carried like a sack, writhed from the vibrations, while the Direwolves, pressured by Mars' assault, opened up the way.

"Oooooohh!"

Mars rushed to the side of the wagon and activated his [Qi-jutsu?Wind Blade]. He held the greatsword in one hand, covered it with a blade of wind, and swung it in a cleave.

The blade of wind gouged out the ground and slammed into the forefront of the encircling Direwolves with a powerful blast of wind and debris.

While the Direwolves were intimidated by it, Mars tossed Tima, which he was carrying, into the air in a violent manner.

"Fueee! Rise forth, Mud Wall!"

While the people present at the side of the wagon were looking up at the tossed Tima in dismay, she invoked the spell she had prepared. The ground around the wagon rose up, and a wall of mud appeared, separating the wagon from the demonic beasts.

What she invoked was a magic called [Soil Manipulation].

As the name implies, this is an elementary magic that manipulates the soil with magical power. However, when used by a caster as powerful as Tima, it can instantly build a wall of soil taller than a horse-drawn carriage.

A wall of soil suddenly appeared. The Direwolves, who had supposedly cornered their prey, but were suddenly blocked by the suddenly appearing barrier, began to turn to the right and left, as if in bewilderment.

"Y-, you guys are......"

Mimuru, the girl from the Catmen race who was on the front line, was surprised when Mars suddenly jumped in.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Uuu~, that was awful......."

On the other hand, Tom, who had been controlling the golem with his magic, was worriedly calling out to Tima, who was thrown and fell on her butt.

Tima looked at Mars resentfully with tears in her eyes, but unfortunately, he did not notice Tima's gaze and kept looking up at the magic-generated mud wall, as if searching for any presence of the outside.

"U-, umm, can I have a moment-......? Whoa!"

Just as Tom was about to call out to the motionless Mars, the mud wall in front of him cracked open upon impact.

On the other side of the collapsed wall stood five Direwolves. From the mouths of the Direwolves, there was a shimmering light that seemed to be the remnants of magic.

"Magic Stone Bearers. And there are five of them......"

One of the characteristics that distinguish demonic beasts possessing magic stones is that they can use magic.

The magic they use varies from individual to individual but is often crude and primitive, such as by releasing magic power.

It seemed that the magic stone bearers of this pack would use their mouths to gather magic power and then shoot it out.

"I see, so that's the leader, huh?......"

Mars' eyes turned to the Direwolf, which had a remarkably large physique among the Magic Stone Bearers.

With its lustrous white fur and sharp, large fangs that could be seen even from a distance, it was clearly recognizable as a special individual.

"Uooooon!"

The White Direwolf's roar echoed through the air. As if encouraged by its roar, the Direwolves under its command, who had been trying to attack the mud wall, rushed toward the hole in the wall at once.

"Well, it sure is convenient having them come from one place!"

Mars braced himself and swung his greatsword. The three leading ones were killed by a single slash.

However, two of them rushed in after them, slipping through the gap between the slashes, and tried to slip past Mars' flank.

"Oopsie!"

"Golem, go!"

Mimuru and Tom's golem blocked their way.

Golem is a puppet controlled by the core magical tool and the magic power of the caster.

The clay golem, which was about one and a half times the size of an adult human, spread out its arms threateningly, and Mimuru moved to cut into the Direwolves' path.

The two that were stopped in their tracks were finished off by Mimuru's dagger and Mars' greatsword, which was cleaved in a return strike.

The pack of Direwolves that was about to follow was now bombarded by multiple arrows fired by Shina.

"Slow!"

She set multiple arrows on the strings and released them all at once.

The arrows rushed toward the Direwolves in a straight line and hit them one after another.

The hit rate was 100 percent.

She was able to focus her line of fire on a specific point, and yet she was still able to fire arrows at an astonishingly high rate and accuracy.

The sight of their comrades being killed in the blink of an eye made the Direwolves stop in their tracks, and then they veered off to the side as if to clear a path again.

Mars, Shina, and the others' eyes squinted upon seeing this action. Their stares were focused on the Direwolf Leader's mouth, where intense magical light was gathering.

The other demonic beasts possessing magic stones were also gathering magic power in their mouths.

Shina once again nocked her arrows and this time began to pour magic power into them. The blue-colored magic energy light poured into the arrows.

However, before the two sides could unleash their attacks, the situation took another major turn. Two shadows came out from the flanks of the Direwolf Leader.

"That person is......."

Shina's eyes focused on the shadows that sprang out.

One of them is Irisdina Francilt, a well-known talented student at the school, who is in a party with Tima Lime. And the other one is a schoolmate she bumped into at the guild branch today.

?

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