“Wait, wait! You’re walking too fast… But it’s nice being friends. It makes me feel sparkly.”
“That’s good. Oh, could you go ahead? I need to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll go with you! Friends go together, right? I’ve always admired that…”
“Haha, you’re a mixed blessing.”
Despite my attempts to detach Kaas, who clung to me like a chick to its parent bird, she responded with misplaced enthusiasm and ended up failing.
///
scene transition
///
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
…Strange. I told him her to talk to me, yet instead of being disliked, I feel like she’s starting to like me more.
“Yeah, let’s…! Since we’re friends now, let’s call each other nicknames.”
“Got it. Then I’ll call you Bug.”
“Yay! I’ll call you Jii-chan!”
“Sure thing, Bug.”
“Okay, Jii-chan!”
With a big smile, Kaas seemed happy. her standards for joy are too low. she’d probably even be happy if she were called trash. What even is “Jii-chan”? I’m not your grandpa.
When I said, “Calling me Bug is a joke,” he responded with a big grin, “Really? Hehehe.”
Hmm… he doesn’t seem like a bad girl.
For a few minutes on the way to the venue, I talked with Kaas, and she didn’t seem like a bad person. she’s definitely eccentric, but…
Even though shse’s off the charts in terms of eccentricity, he doesn’t seem to have any negative effects on me. Talking with her is like talking to a slightly strange girl, as long as I don’t engage in imaginary friend conversations.
Of course, I don’t think I’ve assessed her fully in this short time. But, somehow, I don’t feel any malicious intentions from her.
Everyone has their surface and their underside. The self they present to the world and their true self. She seems to be completely open when she talks, and I don’t sense any attempt to hide himself.
I don’t want to be friends with her… but I also don’t feel the need to treat her harshly. Well, until something troublesome happens, I’ll treat her normally. she’s friendly towards me, so as long as she doesn’t cause trouble.
“So, you’re an adventurer, right? That sounds cool… I’m weak, so I can’t fight monsters. The adventurer registration test? It was too difficult, so I failed…”
“…Isn’t that test easy for everyone?”
“Huh? But I failed normally…”
The adventurer registration test measures physical strength, magic, and aptitude. It’s a simple test, and based on the results, individuals are classified into five ranks from B to G.
If you’re F to G rank, even ordinary citizens can pass. However, you only receive a metal plate proving you’re an adventurer from E rank and above. Below that, your name and basic information are just recorded at the adventurer’s guild. It doesn’t give you any advantage in receiving requests; it’s just a formality.
That’s an absurdly easy test, but you failed…!?
“By the way, why did you fail?”
“Um? They said I lacked physical strength…”
“The physical strength test was just a medium-distance run, right? It’s about whether you have the minimum speed and stamina to escape from monsters. Huh, you failed that?”
“Well, I think my time is too slow.”
“Oh, really? How many seconds? Probably around a minute with that distance?”
“It took thirty minutes.”
“That’s not just bad reflexes, that’s next level.”
“Even kids would take about five minutes on average, but you… you need to get moving.”
As we were talking, we returned to the venue.
Since we were done with directions, I was about to part ways with Kaas.
“…Huh? What’s wrong? Let go.”
But Kaas grabbed my arm tightly, stopping me in her tracks.
“I-I think… there are too many people… And I feel like we’re being watched…”
“Well, you’re the hero, aren’t you? Everyone probably wants to talk to you.”
“I’m not really comfortable with that… C-can you talk to them instead?”
“As if I would. Well then.”
“A-Ah!?”
Quickly pulling my arm away and stepping back, I realized that Kaas was surrounded by nobles who wanted to get close to her because they wanted to have a relationship with the hero. In the center of it all, Kaas was desperately seeking help. Hang in there!
Taking a moment to catch my breath now that I was alone, I looked around.
The spacious venue was crowded with invited guests. Among them, the area where many nobles were gathered would likely be where the hero was.
As someone who hated crowds, it was the worst situation for me, but I was relieved to see that there was no one around me as if there was a barrier keeping everyone away. Why was that happening…? Was it because of the aura of intimidation emanating from me? That must be it. There’s no other explanation.
“…Huh, that person over there is alone too.”
Looking around, I noticed someone else who was alone like me.
It was a girl. She was short, looking about thirteen years old. Her facial features were youthful and innocent, but there was also an impression of mature composure. Perhaps it was because of the dress she was wearing and the melancholic expression she had while looking down.
Her hair was a striking peach color. The color of her eyes was a light emerald green–wait.
“Leti.”
Approaching her and calling out, the girl–Leti, the hero of the [Attack] faction–turned towards me and brightened up when she realized it was me.
“Jirei Sishou! Good morning!”
“It’s already afternoon. You’re as lively as ever.”
“I’m a hero! So, hey Sishou, eat this, it’s delicious! Here!”
“Alright, alright.”
She pointed to a large piece of meat, urging me to eat. Her face was so full of energy that it was infectious.
…Yeah, that’s Leti. The same old Leti as always.
“But, that dress actually suits you quite well. I almost thought you were someone else for a moment.”
“Huh? I’m still me, you know?”
“Yeah, but… It’s just that… I guess Leti is also a young lady from a noble family.”
Until now, I had only seen Leti dressed as a hero, so I was even more surprised. I had thought that Leti was the opposite of elegance and etiquette, but seeing Leti like this made her seem quite refined.
However, Leti didn’t seem very happy about it.
“Why, even though I’m praising you.”
“…Because I’m a hero, it’s okay not to be a lady.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“In places like this, I’m just being quiet because I was told to. So, I’m just imitating ‘sis’.”
“Sis? Oh, Leti has an older sister?”
“Yeah! My sister was amazing! She taught me a lot!”
Leti’s sister, huh. Imagining someone like Leti’s sister, who seemed to be the complete opposite, being so quiet… It’s hard to imagine…
But, it’s an unexpected skill. She didn’t think Leti could imitate others.
“Can you imitate anything else?”
“I can!”
“Oh, show me.”
Leti agreed readily. She wondered what kind of imitation she would do…
The atmosphere suddenly changed drastically.
Her eyes darkened, her gaze became detached as if she had become enlightened. The abrupt change made her body tremble with a chill.
“…L-Leti?”
“…”
Leti glanced at her for a moment and then looked up at the sky.
Feeling worried about the sudden change, she lightly touched Leti’s body.
“A-Are you okay? Did you get hit by some brainwashing magic or something…”
“–Shut up.”
Her mouth was covered. She exuded an aristocratic atmosphere.
“They are coming very close. If you don’t want to die, shut your mouth.”
I gagged. Wh-what–! They’re… they’re right there, whoever they are!?
I cast a Detection spell in the surrounding area. But I couldn’t find anyone acting suspiciously.
“W-who could be… us?”
I swallowed nervously, the tension evident on my face.
“Oh, that’s… “
Leti nodded her head in an exultant manner and replied.
“it’s the Abyss.”
“Abi—… huh?”
…Wait, why do I suddenly feel so cold?
“I am a cursed being, an ‘anomaly outside of reason’… It’s ironic. Me, who lurks in the shadows as the ‘Watcher of the Abyss,’ aiming to become a ‘hero of light’… No, perhaps it was inevitable…”
“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!?? (My voice)”
W-wait a minute! Wait a damn minute!?
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Sishou?”
“It’s not ‘what’s wrong!’ Hey, aren’t you imitating me!?”
I flailed around on the ground. Each word of my past self’s lines flashed back like a haunting memory. It was a critical hit to my heart. I’m hyperventilating.
As I struggled to contain my erratic breathing, Leti responded nonchalantly with a “Yeah?” as if it were perfectly normal.
“Please forget about it… Seriously.”
“But you were so cool! It’s an important memory, so I’ll never forget it!”
“Don’t make my embarrassing moments into ‘important memories’…”
Leti beamed with a perfect smile, while I grimaced in anguish. I’m on the brink of despair.
I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Enough with the imitation. Seriously, cut it out.” Leti looked disappointed, saying, “Really? But you could do better…”
Oh no. This isn’t good for my mental health. I should change the subject before I’m driven to destroy the world. Seriously, why does this person have every detail of my dark history memorized?
The poll is open again, please vote!!!
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
