Category Archives: Translations

Chapter 4 – Iron Farming Tools

Chapter 4 - Iron Farming Tools

At last, the self introduction was over. Although all were abandoned in different ways, what each one has in common is that they were abandoned by their parents. The birthplace of all of them is varied. And it…



At last, the self introduction was over.

Although all were abandoned in different ways, what each one has in common is that they were abandoned by their parents.

The birthplace of all of them is varied.
And it seems that it was only a few days ago that they started to get along. So I still have the opportunity to become familiar with them. It’s a relief, a relief.

The gender ratio is about fifty-fifty.
It seems that it is normal to prioritize abandoning women, but even so, they somehow ended up half and half.
Well, it doesn’t make sense to worry about something like that for the moment.

First let me introduce the five most important people of the place.

Ron-kun. 12 years old. The eldest. Taller than my current self. He’s a little aggressive but still has a sense of responsibility.

Soyon-chan. 12 years old. She came from the same village as Ron. Considerably cute. Surely Ron’s wife. Although she speaks politely to me, there is a big difference in her behavior compared to the other children and even Ron-kun. I felt lonely feeling this plain sense of distance.

Roswald-kun. 11 years old. Before I arrived, he was the number two. He is more oppressive than Ron-kun. It seems that he is not happy about me.

Tetra-chan. Ten years old. Taciturn. Basically she does not speak.

Gram-kun. Ten years old. Has a small build and is a coward.

These five people are the central figures of this group.

「I think we have no choice but to start farming」
I told the five people in front of me about my plan.
To be frank, there is no point in listening to the opinions of children, so it would be better if I start on my own.
Since I am someone who joined on the spur of the moment.
And of course, it was out of the question to let children under ten years old to join the conversation.

「But you know, isn’t making a field something absurdly difficult? What will we do?」
This was Ron’s opinion.
It’s just like he says.
In addition, an uncultivated land is terribly hard. Plus, certainly there will be vegetation growing, so cleaning that land will be a heavy labour.
The fatal point of this plan is that everyone here are children.
Moreover, those who would be able to help are no more than six children over the age of ten including me.
This plan is reckless.

But it is much better than doing nothing.

「It’s imposible I tell you. Let’s stop」
Roswald-kun stretched his legs while giving a half-hearted opinion.
He started to glare at me.
「Nothing good will come out of this even if we listen to what this guy says. Hey, you think the same, right? Tetra?」
「…On the other hand, we have no choice but to start cultivating if we want a stable source of food」
It seems that Tetra-chan agrees with what I have said.

「And you, Gram-kun?」
「Ah! No, I… don’t understand」
Gram-kun was the one with a hesitating appearance.
It’s natural to not understand. All children are like that.

「But how are we going to cultivate?」
「Let’s buy iron farming tools. I think it will be easier if we have tools」
「Buy? What it’s buy?」
Ah… Could it be that they don’t have a currency system? I used the wrong word.

「It means that we will use bartering」
「Whatever we had to trade by tools went to our bellies a long time ago. I’m not an idiot」
Roswald-kun said. A harsh comment. Oi, perhaps you don’t know that those who say idiot are the real idiots.

「We have something to exchange. But unfortunately you can’t eat it」
Reacting to my words, the five tilt their heads in confusion. How cute.

「Oi, I have brought it」
Griffon’s voice enters my ears. Seems to have brought what I asked for.

「Thank you. If we have this we can manage ourselves in some way or another」
I receive a large amount of swords and spears from the Griffon. 70 percent of them are made from iron, and the other 30 percent is made of bronze.

All these weapons belonged to the brave warriors who came to defeat the Griffon. Since all these weapons belonged to experts and although they have become rusty, they are still quality metals.

「It’s not something you should worry about. Since these tusks and nails are not necessary for this one. They don’t return to earth so easily, and they stink. They were already starting to bother me. Dispose of them quickly. Then, there is still a huge amount to bring so I will be going」
The Griffon flew away as it said so.
The sense of value of a human differs greatly from a beast.

「We-we are going to start a war?」
「Wrong」
I deny the remark of Gram-kun. Or should I say that Gran-kun’s way of thinking is very extreme?
And yet he was shrinking from fear.

「It’s correct that weapons are powerful, but it’s impossible for a child to beat an adult. Don’t think that a child could beat an unarmed adult even if this one has a weapon」
It is obvious who would win between a child and an adult. I would never do something so reckless. Even if I’m about to starve.

「Will we exchange that by farming tools?」
「That’s right. Tetra-chan!」
When I was about to pat Tetra’s head, she evade me. This onii-san is very sad.

「Wouldn’t it be better to change them for food?」
Tetra-chan answers the question of Ron-kun.
「If we buy food, everything ends there. We wouldn’t be able to secure food」
「Ah, you’re right」
Ron-kun backed away quickly. One of Ron-kun’s good points is being honest.

「Still, even if we have the tools, digging the soil it’s really something that is easy? It looks terribly hard」
Tetra-chan said.
「We will have to find a soft spot. At worst we will have to hire adults. Depending on the conditions besides telling them that we will give them a pair of iron swords, they surely will help us」
The key factor is the influence of the Griffon.
But making use of that would be the our last resort.

We also have the option to ask the Griffon itself for help.
It is also possible to use swords and food to extend our time limit.

For the moment, the plan to exchange weapons for farming tools has been settled.

No one objected.
They would only embarrass themselves if they objected without having thought of an alternative plan.

「The problem now is where we can exchange them… Is not there anyone who knows the geography of this place?」
I say as I stare at Ron-kun. Ron-kun shakes his head with a frightening speed.
「Imposible, imposible. I don’t know any towns in the surroundings. And you Soyon?」
「I’m sorry… I’m not aware either」

「Roswald-kun?」
「Eh!? I… Um… I can’t say I don’t know but neither I can say that I know…」
「In other words you don’t know. Gram-kun?」
「I-I-I-I’m sorry…」

Well, it’s understandable. It is a culture where they do not even have a currency system. It is impossible for farmer’s children to know the outskirts of a village…

「And Tetra-chan?」
「I know」
As I supposed… Eh!?

「You know?」
「A little」
And so, Tetra began to talk about the surroundings of the forest.

It seems that this forest is called Romano.
To the east side of the forest is a country which is ruled by a king called Rosyth. To the northwest there is a large country which is ruled by a king called Gilbed. To the northwest there is large country ruled by a king called Dommergar. And still further to the east passing the countries governed by Gilbed and Dommergar there is a kingdom ruled by a king called Farlam.

「King Rosyth’s country it’s not so big. They don’t even have decent iron farming tools and have even fewer weapons made of iron. But I believe the countries governed by the kings Dommergar and Gilbed have iron farming tools since their countries are very large. Besides, they are in the midst of a war against Farlam’s country since they are experiencing food shortages」
「I understand. It means that now is our best opportunity. But it also means that if we don’t go right now, they will grind their farming tools to make them weapons. We are against time」

But why is that you know so much? That’s what I wanted to ask but now is not the time. Besides, it is also rude to ask when we are not so intimate. It is better to wait until we get along.

「If I was an adult…」
Tetra-chan said as she looked at me.
「If they steal our weapons, what are we going to do?」

Well, they are right. No adult would talk seriously to a child. Let’s not talk about peaceful times, but now that they are at war. Still less. Besides, for them to win the war is also very important but at the same time it is equally important to them to worry about the crop next year. They will not give us the tools so easily.

「Don’t be worried. I’ve seriously thought about it. We’ll use this fellow」
I show them the big feathers. The beautiful and bright golden feathers.
「T-Those are from Griffon-sama?」
Gram’s voice was shaking.
「Y-You stole them!」
Roswald gave a great shout.
To say I resorted to stealing them, how rude. I just picked up what fell and nothing more.

「What do you plan to do with those?」
While tilting her head a little, Soyon asked. Soyon is the most obedient and cute.
「If we show them this as we speak to them, then there would be no problem in telling them “We are the Griffon’s messengers!!”. Right? 」
「But will not a divine punishment descend upon us?」
Ron asked with a worried face.
Certainly it is imposing but Griffon is not a God. So there is no way a divine punishment would fall upon us. Or at least that’s what I think.
But it seems that children are all different. Excluding Tetra-chan everyone has a worried face.
It was my fault to assume that our sense of values were the same.

「I asked for permission」
By saying this, the four children show a expression of relief.
It is true that the Griffon is scary, but it is not an existence to fear to such an extent.
After all, he took charge of this and that.

「Now that it’s all settled, let’s go. For now we will exchange the ten iron swords and the six bronze swords that are in this place. Since if we exchange all, we’ll not be able to solve any problem when the time comes」
For now this is enough to exchange.
What we need most at the moment are farming tools, but still there are other necessary things.

「It’s dangerous that we all go. Someone who wants to join me!」
On saying that, Gram and Roswald, both raised their hands.

「Good, let’s go! Tetra-chan」
I grabbed the Tetra-chan’s hand. Tetra-chan looks at me confused.
「I didn’t raise my hand」
「What are you saying? There is no one who knows the geography of this place apart from you. So you’re bound to join!」
After I said so, Tetra gave a big sigh.

________

「And for this reason we want to exchange」
Upon hearing my words, the village’s chief looked at us with suspicion.
It is normal, if suddenly someone appeared naming themselves being the Griffon’s messengers and wishing to exchange swords of iron and bronze for farming tools, anybody would distrust.
I understand your feelings.

The village chief alternated his gaze between our weapons and Griffon’s feathers.
He seems to be troubled.

「Chief! I brought the blacksmith!」
A pair came running.
And one of the two began to carefully investigate the weapons we have brought.
Surely the person called blacksmith has the color of the surprise on his face.
These swords are from people who thought they could defeat the Griffon. All these swords remain famous despite rusting.
You are trading these by farming tools you know? A cheap exchange you know?

「What do you want?」
「Let me think. Ten hoes. Three axes. And I think I will take eight sickles」
Although we call them iron farming tools, it is only at the tip where the steel is used. In addition, all steel swords excluding bronze swords were are all made of steel.
The truth is that if I wanted I could have demanded more, but in this side we are all children.
For now it is better to ask less.

Despite having been suspicious, the village chief finally decided to let us exchange.

Surely it is a good exchange for them since if the war gets worse, they would have to melt all their farming tools for weapons. This is, especially good for them.

We insinuate that we may come again in the future and then we left.

 



 

  1. N/a

Chapter 3 – Children

Chapter 3 - Children

「What is this…?」 「You’ll know when you see it. These are from the same race as you」 The place where he took me turned out to be a nearby cave. Upon entering, I found around thirty children inside.…



「What is this…?」
「You’ll know when you see it. These are from the same race as you」

The place where he took me turned out to be a nearby cave.
Upon entering, I found around thirty children inside.
Five of them were at the age where they could not move on their will. Twenty of them are between the ages of seven and nine. And the remaining five are about my age.

「Why are there children here?」
「As if I knew. Lately these humans come to throw their children on this one’s forest」

Now I understand. They are probably going through a famine.
The fact that I found myself in this forest in a state of hunger means that I was probably also abandoned by my parents.

「So, you plan to put me in charge of these children?」
「As you said it. You understand fast」
The Griffon nods greatly.
I don’t dislike children. If I had to say otherwise, I like them.
Moreover, after having been raised in a orphanage I have a great sympathy to these children who were also abandoned by their parents. Therefore, I have no problem in helping them.
However…

「We will not get anywhere if we don’t have food, you know?」
「I will bring food for the next three years. In those three years, you have to do something」
This is unexpected…
I thought he would tell us to eat insects or something like that.
This fellow, could be a good person?

「Why will you help us?」
「If a hungry puppy clings to you, you would take it with you, right? After, will you be irresponsible and throw it away? There is something called responsibility for picking it up. That’s what I’m saying」
I understand.
Certainly, if you are aware, it will leave you with a bad taste.
You may have the power to help them, but it is useless if you have to use it every time so they do not starve.
That’s not good for your mental health.

But an animal and a Griffon are fundamentally different.
Surely he does not know how to raise a human.
And that’s why he was worried.

It’s already decided.
First I have to introduce myself to the children.

「Fom this moment, it has been decided that I will be your leader! Nice to meet you all」」
I said so…

「△○☓●■◇○」
But an alien language came to my ears.


Sad news.
I can’t understand the language of a different world.

If you think it calmly, it’s obvious that the language will be different from the Japanese. It’s impossible for the reality to be so kind.
Before becoming a leader, I’m more worried if I will be able to interact with people, to survive itself.

Eh? Why am I able to talk to the Griffon?

「Let me apologize. I have remembered that lost people were unable to speak the language of this earth. I had forgotten」
「Why I can talk to you?」
「Because this one has the 【Blessing of Divine Words】. It’s natural」

A blessing… At last something fantasy-ish emerged.
As expected from the Griffon. After all, it has that sort of mysterious powers.

「However, this is a problem. I have decided. I’ll lend you the blessing for a while」
「…Can you lend them!」
「It’s usually impossible. But this one has the 『Blessing of Lending』」

As expected from Griffon-senpai!
Having the face of an eagle and the lower part of the body of a lion it was not just for show.

「But if you do that, you will not be able to talk to the childen anymore」
「Foolish person. As if this one would give you without reason my precious blessings. I will give you the 『Blessing of Language』」
「How many blessings do you have?」
For all he has said so far, I can be sure that he has at least three.
Are the blessings something so easy to get?

「I have twelve of them. Moreover, of all of them, only a few are useful. This one’s 『Blessing of Language』 it’s not useful as this one has no vocal cord」

Either way, you have a lot.
This fellow is an unimaginable beast cheat. Or this is the average specs for the Griffons? To begin with, how many griffons are there including this one?

Well, that does not matter.

「Thus, let me say it again, nice to meet you all」
An unknown language came out of my mouth like it was natural.
I see, this is useful. If I had this, I would not need to study English.

「Nice… to meet you… Onii-chan」
A girl with brown hair answered like that.
Onii-chan… It has a good sound.

「Hey you, tell me your name!」
An impertinent boy came to ask me.
「Name yourself first if you want mine」
I replied with a cliche phrase and the kid named himself after flicking his tongue.

「It’s Ron. Until now, I was their leader. Hey, I gave my name! Now name yourself!」
「My name is…」
Now that I was going to say my name, I realized.
How can I call myself?

Using a Japanese name? But now I’m not a Japanese person. I think introducing me with my Japanese name is a bit wrong.
No, it’s not like naming myself it’s important.

「My name in this place. How do you think I should name myself?
I tried asking the Griffon.
「What do you think about 『Almus』?」
「What does it mean?」
「It has no special meaning. I just thought it sounded good」

I see.
However, just like I do not know why I’ve been sent to this place, it may be the perfect name.

「Starting now, I’m Almus. Nice to meet you, Ron-kun」
I stretched my hand. But Ron ignored me.
Why did he do that?
「Hey, what age?」
「Twenty years old」
「Don’t lie!!」

But it’s the truth…

I looked at the Griffon. Please you tell them.

「What this fellow said is the truth. When he woke up, he had become a child, that it’s the truth」
「Yes! …If that’s what says Griffon-sama then…」
Ron suddenly calmed down.
And looking at me, he declared.

「For your information, I still don’t recognize you as a leader!!」
That’s understandable.
I understand his feelings. Suddenly a strange child appears and becomes their leader.

「I’m sorry. It’s not like Ron has bad intentions. It’s just that he is an idiot…」
Suddenly, the girl who called me onii-chan covered up for Ron.
「Your name?」
「I am Soyon. Ron’s childhood friend…」

I see. So she is a childhood friend?
Surely Ron must be very happy to have around such a beautiful childhood friend.

「Oi! Why an idiot!」
「Because it’s the true」
「You know what, the one who says idiot is the idiot!」
「So in the end, Ron is an idiot」
「「Idiot idiot idiot idiot idiot idiot idiot!」」

A quarrel started suddenly.
It means that they get along.

I was watching both arguing. And the other children were also laughing.

It seems that the place has become very lively.

Or at least on the surface.
If it had to be more precise, they would not be able to continue living if they did not do that.
If you think about it’s reasonable.
They were deceived by their parents and were left inside of this forest.
It had to be a shock to them.
Surely there are children who still believe their parents will come back for them.

So they are trying to forget it with all their strength.

Among them, how heavy could be the burden of Ron who took desperately the leader role?

Surely the reason Soyan-chan welcomed me was not because she likes me, but to lower the burden of Ron.

Now, they are quarreling just to brighten the mood of the place.
Surely they do something like this every day.
What I do not know is whether they do it consciously or unconscious.
But anyway, no child should pay attention to something like that since that is bad in itself.

「I will definitely help you all」
I muttered.



 

  1. N/a

Chapter 2 – Griffon

Chapter 2 - Griffon

Reincarnation. A phenomenon in fiction that has a high probability of occurring when hit by a truck. Fiction, in other words, a made-up story. If I must be frank these are stories that can not happen in reality.…



Reincarnation.
A phenomenon in fiction that has a high probability of occurring when hit by a truck.
Fiction, in other words, a made-up story. If I must be frank these are stories that can not happen in reality.

Therefore, being a lie, something like reincarnation cannot happen in the reality.
That’s right, it should be something impossible.

「This is a dream. Right. This is just a dream. Surely when I wake up I will be in bed in a hospital, or, on the contrary, the mere act of being run over a truck must the dream itself. That must be. It’s not possible for a human to die so easily」
I lay on the ground while thinking about it.
The night sky is covered with countless stars and a huge moon.
It’s so beautiful~for a dream!

I close my eyes.
Believing that everything will be a dream when I wake up.


As expected, this was the reality!

Seeing my face reflected on the shining surface of the water under the morning sun, I despair.
What is this?
What do you say I did to deserve this!

「Although I must say that my face is not bad at all」
I look at the boy reflected in front of meーI look at my face.

Although the body is skinny and dirty like a stray dog, every part of the body is pretty good.
The skin color of this body is the so called olive color.

「Well, what happened happened…」
I have no other choice but to start gathering the basic needs.
Afterwards I need to gather information, and return to Japan if it is possible to. If it is impossible then I will settle down in this world.

For now let’s go with that plan in mind.

Then what I have to do now is…

「Is start by filling my stomach」

So I stood up.


I started looking for something in the forest.
Yesterday I thought that it was only a forest full of giants trees but now I have noticed.
I only saw them big because I had shrunk. In reality, it was exaggerated to call them big.

「At any rate, there is nothing. In this forest」
There was not any kind of nuts or fruits at all.
Although there were several kinds of edible herbs growing, I restrained myself since I did not want to die.

Judging by the temperature of my body, the season should be summer?
There must be something to eat and more if it is summer. Surely the way I’m searching must be wrong.
In first place, I have no shred of knowledge about wild grasses. And what’s more, assuming it’s another world, less.
First of all, it is a mystery if the vegetation is the same as that of the earth or not.

「In the end I have no choice but to eat insects…?」
I observe the line of ants in front of me.

I was able to regain a little of my strength last night thanks to the centipede, so I do not need to eat something right away.
However, this is a body that already lacked nutrients from before.
So if I over effort my body, there is a possibility that tomorrow I would not be able to move.

If only I knew how to lit a fire.
So whether it’s a spider, ant or a scorpion, I could roast and eat them without worry.
But hey, yesterday I ate it raw while it was moving.

I wonder how one can start a fire?
I only know that if you rub wood with wood the friction will cause a fire, but…
But that itself is a mystery to me, besides I can not find a suitable wood.
I feel like it would not be good plan to spend time and effort on things I can not do.

It would be much better to look for a human habitat.

「Oi, that child of man. This is my territory. Leave at once」

I was called by someone from behind.
The voice sounded arrogant but without a doubt it has to come from a person.
Heaven has not abandoned me!!

「Truthfully, I’m lost…」

When I turned around, there was a monster in front of me.

With a face and upper half of the body of a falcon, and huge wings.
And the lower half of the body of a four footed animalーーOf a lion.

It was a Griffon.

It seems that heaven has abandoned me.


「Um, I have a bad taste! I’m just skin and bones. I even ate a centipede yesterday. I-It would be better if you didn’t eat me」
I began to recede.
After going through all the trouble of reincarnation, why I should be eaten!

「This one is picky with the food. Who in their right mind could eat something like you? Perhaps you’re ridiculing me?」
「N-Never in the least I thought about doing something absurd like that. Ahahahaha. In fact, I’m about to leave. Good bye~」

I started running at full speed. It seems that he does not want to eat me, just drive me out. Then, I only have to run away. Whether this is the territory of this person(?) or not, I do not have the slightest intention of invading it.

Fluttering

The sound of wings fluttering enters my ears.
The dust flutters, I instinctively close my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, the Griffon was in front of me.
Moreover, with hair bristling as if he were angry.
Why!?

「Didn’t I say that from here and forwards it’s this one’s territory? The interior of the forest is also part of my territory, people cannot enter and leave as they please. That was the pact if I’m not mistaken. Or it’s as I supposed, you wanted to steal food from this one’s territory?」
「I’m sorry. I went in the wrong direction. To think that your territory expands also by this direction…」
「Don’t spit lies! It’s not the pact that I made with you passed generation after generation!? Even little children know about it!」

Even if you tell me that, what I don’t know I don’t know.
Despite having a magnificent appearance, for this beast to be hot-tempered, surely it’s regrettable.

「Tell me a more believable excuse. And I may let you live」
The Griffon stared at me after saying that. Chills run all over my body.
This fellow intends to kill me. For the sole reason of me being an eyesore.

I have no choice but to explain.

「Um… To tell the truth, I have reincarnated」
「Huh? I don’t understand what are you…」
Griffon’s face changes. Its eyes began to shine. Surely I will die.

「You know, what I’m saying is… When I wake up I found myself in a forest, and I became an unknown child. It’s the true, please believe me」
I prostrated myself and started begging. Forgive me for not wanting to die a second time after having reincarnated.

「Fumu…」
It may be that my desperate begging was effective since I felt like the Griffon’s thirst for blood weakened a little.
The Griffon’s eyes glowed red.
「You… are a lost one? Indeed. Then it’s impossible for you to know. I’m sorry」

The Griffon’s thirst for blood faded completely.
Although I don’t understand what happened, it seems that it understood me.

「You are pitiful too. To be sent from your hometown to this kind of place. Hmmm, it can’t be helped. It will be your responsibility to be liked by the children. If you want to curse someone curse yourself」

I don’t understand very well but it seems that it knows something about reincarnation.

「Um… What is a lost person?」
「It means that someone has come from a different world」
「Not that they were reborn again?」
「Huh?」
The Griffon tils its head as if it did not understand what I said.

At present, I explain what is happening to my body. The Griffon groans.
「U-mu, I don’t know. I never heard a phenomenon like that. None of the lost people I’ve met hundred of years ago have said they were reincarnated… Hmm, maybe something like that can happen too?」
「Sigh」
「To begin with, the phenomenon called lost people exists. There is nothing strange that something like reincarnation could exist if you think about the lost people」
Although I still don’t understand, it seems that the Griffon convinced himself.
Even so, I can not accept it at all.

But well, now it’s no use worrying about such a thing. I’ll have to find out step by step.
「By the way, in your explanation of before you said something like you have the mind of an adult, it is that right?」
「Yes, that’s right. But now I have this body. What about that?」
The Griffon smiled at my question… Or so it looked.

「In exchange for turning a blind eye, I want you to take care of a job」



 

  1. N/a

Chapter 1 – Possession

Chapter 1 - Possession

Death comes when you least expect it. From an unexpected place and with an unexpected timing. In front of me there is a large-scale truck. Time advances slowly. Everything I left behind begins to emerge in my mind…



Death comes when you least expect it.
From an unexpected place and with an unexpected timing.

In front of me there is a large-scale truck.

Time advances slowly. Everything I left behind begins to emerge in my mind only to disappear later.
Friends, employer and my professor from the university. That reminds me, I haven’t submitted my report yet…
And lastly everybody from the orphanage.
I never went through my mind that I would repaid everything they had done for me with my life insurance.

If it had been possible, I would have liked to live a life with more emotion.
When I thought so, I heard the voice of a kid laughing along with the sound of every bone in my body breaking,


When I regained my consciousness, I was in the middle of a forest…

I looked at my surroundings and then the sky.
Compared to the moon I know, this was shining and felt like it was bigger.

The trees lit by the moonlight were strangely big. How many times my height? There are only giant trees growing in the surroundings.

Is this the world after death?
According to legend of the Sanzu River I should be able to see a garden filled with flowers as a far my eye can see, but such a scenario is not reflected in my eyes.
For this to be the world after death, surely it’s pitiful.

What on the earth is this…

Suddenly I felt something bitter inside my mouth.
When I spit it out, I realized it was grass.

Why the hell I was eating something like that?
The next moment, a strong hunger attacks me.

Dizziness and weariness, a feeling of fatigue attacked my whole body.

I will die if I don’t eat something…

I started looking for any kind of food that could be eaten.
Mushrooms or acorns, at this point I don’t care what it is, anything is fine.
Something that I can put in my mouth.

Suddenly, a big centipede entered my field of vision.
Usually, I would have screamed and escaped by now, but for some reason I kept looking at it.
If you look at it carefully, it would seem that it had a lot of muscle.
If I’m not mistaken, the poison was in the mouth, so if I do something about it, I would be able to eat it…
……
……

Let’s eat it.

My first centipede tasted disgusting.


「That reminds me, will I be okay despite the parasites and the like?」
I began to worry after filling my stomach with the centipede.

I lost my reason for a moment at that time…
So this is what it means to become an idiot for lack of food?
Not that I know how to light a fire, either way I had to eat it raw.
By how I chew it, everything should be fine, yes, all good. Perhaps.

I would have starved to death if my brain had been working halfway.
I have no choice but to start praying whether the parasites exist or not.

「I’m thirsty…」
I started to walk wishing for water…
I want to remove the taste of the centipede from my mouth in this instant.

When my body feels like it walked plenty, a brook appears.
Though my brain tells me to not drink unboiled water, but it can’t be helped that I don’t know how to start a fire.

「I came back to life…」
Indeed, water is important.
At glance you can see that the water is transparent, so it should be free of parasites. Perhaps.

I looked at the water of the brook.
There it was my face reflected by the moonlight…
……
……
……

Who is this?

A emaciated gray-haired child was reflected in the water’s surface.

??????

Wait, wait a second, probably this water surface is making a mistake. Surely, the light reflection may sometimes go wrong.
I escape from the absurd reality that exists in front of me.

I timidly touch my cheeks.
I noticed that my bones were visible.
It’s not like I was fat, but neither I was skinny enough for my bones to protrude.

The next thing I try to do is to pull my hair. The hair is gray.
I was a typical Japanese, so I was certain that my hair was black but…

Still, this is the reality.
In other words. This is that thing. The famous one.

「Reincanation…」

I looked up at the night sky.
There was a certain moon twice as big as the moon from Earth shining in the night sky.



 

  1. N/a

Otherworld Nation Founding Chronicles

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Otherworld Nation Founding Chronicles
異世界建国記
Author Passing Villagers
(通りすがりの村人)
Translator traveller2694
Language Japanese
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Synopsis:
A protagonist reborn in another world.
Apparently, he had been reincarnated as an abandoned child.
Before his eyes were abandoned children like him.
In order to survive, he led them into farming.
Little by little, orphans gathered, and upon hearing rumors of a village, others began to migrate.
The group that had been nothing but children had become a village before anyone realized.
And then various countries in the surroundings started to have an eye on it…
This is the epic tale of the man who would later be known as the Divine Emperor.
The story of a dude reincarnated in another world.
Orphan Leader ⇒ Village Chief ⇒ Head of a Great Clan ⇒ King of a Nation ⇒ Emperor
A management-type fantasy story set in a world in its early days.
Continue reading Otherworld Nation Founding Chronicles

[Vol. 3] Chapter 11 – Stone Labyrinth IV

[Vol. 3] Chapter 11 - Stone Labyrinth IV

After we got rid of those two spider monsters and recovered the spider web, we started to investigate the room and discovered the bones and baggage probably belonging to adventurers in the back of it.  As I thought,…



After we got rid of those two spider monsters and recovered the spider web, we started to investigate the room and discovered the bones and baggage probably belonging to adventurers in the back of it.
 As I thought, they were the ones who became prey to those things, how pitiful.

“My, those are in a good state. 1, 2, 3……I suppose there are 9 bodies.”

“Oh, aren’t these weapons rather good as well? Those might fetch a high price if I sell them.”

 Hmm, so you won’t even let the dead rest in peace?
 But, well, as they might retort to that I kept it to myself.

“Hey, could you please pick up those bones and carry them back?”

“Yeah, this equipment, too, please. Be careful with it because those are my merchandises.”

 Kitora and Crescent Moon were instructing my seniors as if it was nothing.
 As those two heard that their expressions changed and they started to complain.

“Eeeeh, we should carry that?”

“More importantly, is this some kind of payback for you to make us carry back those bones?”

“Isn’t that natural? Who else but you should carry them? That’s the reason why we took you with us.”

“Payback, you say? Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m a priestess”

 Those two people’s protest got instantly repelled.
 They were made to reluctantly collect the bones and equipment and carry it back after all.
 The baggage they carried on their back which was a lot consisted out of equipment and the bones of the dead and in their hands, they held swords turned spool cars.
 Really, my condolences.

“We can’t go beyond that hole, I guess we have to return like this.”⌈1

“There don’t seem to be any hidden passages either.”

 As she heard Crescent Moon’s and Pick’s statements Kitora asked in wonder.

“What are you saying? There are still places we haven’t visited yet.”

“Eh, where?”

“Haven’t you noticed already? Inside of that hole, of course.”

 Kitora answered Knopf while she wore an expression as if it’s natural.
 Honestly, I don’t think we should go inside that hole.
 I have a feeling that this won’t turn out well.

“Are you telling us to go down that hole like this?”

“That’s impossible, Head Akatsuki, big sis Crescent Moon, please do something”

 Even if you look at me with a face like that I don’t know what to say.
 Talk to Crescent Moon and Kitora.
 Oh well, should I interfere a little because I feel kind of sorry for them?

“Even if you come you’d just drag us down so you’ll wait at the entrance.”

“Well, that seems to be the case, our work would increase rather than decrease. I think so, too”

 Crescent Moon agreed with my suggestion as well.

“No, but telling us to just wait is……”

“Isn’t it fine, Drum? Head and big sis said it’s fine. I’ll do as they said.”

 Like this, we decided to leave my two seniors with the baggage behind and fall down to the bottom of the hole.
 First, the female hobbit thief jumps down the hole with ease a rope in hand as reconnaissance.
 Knopf chanted the aria for a light spell so we could see our surroundings.

“It’s alright! There are no signs of there being anything special”

 After we received Pick’s report we dropped down the hole along the rope one after another as well.

“Alright, Crescent Moon you drop down first. Then it’s Knopf followed by me and lastly, it’s Kitora’s turn”

“I’m fine with it but don’t look up”

“Yeah, be careful. That mister is quite skilled with girls”

 You don’t have to say that to Kitora, Crescent Moon.
 Looks like it’s still because of the matter with Elsa.
 I didn’t want to particularly peek up her skirt anyway.
 I only intended to help her if Kitora might fall.
 Well, it would be something like accidentally seeing it then.

“Stop saying such things. Crescent Moon, hurry up.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll go”

 Crescent Moon and Knopf dropped down first followed by me as well.

“Kitora, be careful not to fall down.”

“I know even if you don’t tell me”

 Aah, this priestess of darkness isn’t cute at all even though she’s so pretty.
 The hole was deeper than I thought, we were 3 metres below the floor.
 It’s all stone here as well――

 Dosu!

 The moment I thought that the buttocks covered in black Goth loli clothes fell on top of me.
 I received a direct hit and was staggering but I managed to somehow catch her in my arms.

“Ouch, didn’t I tell you to be careful?”

“Isn’t it your fault for absentmindedly standing there? More importantly how long do you intend to touch me?”

 Then I noticed I was carrying a beautiful girl in my arms.
 She glared at me with a strong-willed expression.

“As I said before, how long do you intend to touch me?!”

 I silently put Kitora down on the floor.
 She sure was soft but I didn’t fall in love.
 Ah, that’s wrong.
 I didn’t do it intentionally.

“Well, fine, let’s move on.”

 It’s not fine at all!
 While one-sided false suspicion was placed on me we started our underground exploration.
 This dungeon seems to be pretty big.

 Unlike the first floor which had a simple structure, this floor was structured like a maze.
 Anyway, I have to continue mapping diligently so that we won’t get lost.
 There were curved passages as well which confused one’s sense of direction.

“Here they come again!”

 As she shouted Crescent Moon cut down a Goblin coming from one of the small side rooms.
 Although it’s just rudimentary monsters like vampire bats and Goblins who appear there are a lot of them.
 Especially the Goblins steadily appear in one to five groups.

“Is there a Goblin nest around here somewhere?”

“Thinking about it, with that many there’s no doubt about that, right? I wonder if Goblins will be our only problem.”

 Crescent Moon answered Knopf’s question.
There are reports that Goblins do not always build a nest alone but there is the possibility of them getting ruled by the higher ranked Hobgoblins or Orcs.

“Please wait a minute”

 Pick sent a gesture to everyone to keep silent then she carefully looked around the corner.

“……Looks like there is some kind of nest over there”

 After she was looking around quietly for a while she slowly came back without making a sound and gave us her report.

“The passage is blocked by a wooden fence and there are several guards protecting it.”

“Was there anything else but Goblins?”

“As far as I could see there wasn’t anything else.”

“I see, what should we do, Mister? Anything to say about this?”

 Crescent Moon who heard Pick’s words looked at me.
 Mmm, what should we do?

“We’ll be found sooner or later if we stay here. Let’s return for a bit and think about this.”

 We returned to the passage we came from and entered a small side room to work out a strategy.

“We don’t know the exact number of our opponents nor do we know if there’s anything else but Goblins in there.”

 Crescent Moon complained.
 If there was really someone among our opponents who was dominating the Goblins then their movements would be completely different from their usual ones.
 Although if it’s just Goblins they just have huge numbers but if a guy with higher intelligence is among them the risk drastically increases.

“That’s right, huh? I wish we could somehow find out if it’s just Goblins”

“I suppose it should be fine. Though it’s nothing more than my simple guess – -”

 As Kitora started to speak with a thoughtful expression Knopf urged her on to talk.

“It’s fine so please tell us”

“I think this dungeon was made by someone with the intention to draw in adventurers.”

 As she said that Kitora looked into each of our faces.

“Perhaps the centipedes’ and spiders’ purpose was to examine the invading adventurers?”

“By examining you mean their strength?”

“Right, our competency. So, the ones who cleaned up everything up there either fall down here or come down her intentionally.”

“Then are the Goblins part of this trap?”

 This time Kitora didn’t make fun of Crescent Moon and answered her question seriously.
 That would be the only time when I think about it.

“Of course there’s that possibility. But aren’t Goblins too weak for that? No matter what you say the spiders just now were a lot stronger.”

“Well, if you put it that way, you’re right. Then do the Goblins have another purpose?”

“Yeah, I think so. Well, I thought about it, but- – aren’t they just baits?”

“Baits, you say?! The Goblins?”

 Pick raised a crazy voice.
 Kitora nodded.

“That’s right, bait. Didn’t we go down the pit a while ago? In other word, this space from that floor to the bottom is completely artificially made and one can’t freely come or go. So the creatures in this basement need food to live. If it isn’t Undead that is. That’s the purpose of the bait.”

“In other words, there are stronger monsters down there who eat the goblins to live?”

 Knopf seemed to be able to understand her thoughts.
 But isn’t that strange?
 Even Goblins have to eat to increase their numbers to complete the food chain.
 If they don’t do that the Goblins would immediately become extinct.

“But what do the Goblins eat? If the Goblin’s number doesn’t increase the balance would immediately collapse.”

 As I posed that question Kitora laughed before answering my question.

“Do you think so? But it’s not like that”

“Then what is it?”

“Goblins are thought to have a generally strong propagative power. That’s true but they can’t breed among themselves. As there aren’t any females among them. Therefore they can only increase their numbers through impregnating females of us H̲o̲m̲o̲ sapiens and our sub-races.”

 A group only consisting out of males with now females in them.
 That sounds miserable but I’m a little relieved.
 But therefore I can’t forgive them attacking females of other races.

“About that, those guys in here weren’t born naturally. Those tribes were created with dark magic. Goblins created with dark magic can only live if they are given dark magical power. Ah, just for your information I didn’t make them!”

“Ehm, well, I don’t really get what you want to say.”

 Crescent Moon was rushing her to get to the point.

“What I want to say is that this dungeon might be made by someone using dark magic. If those Goblins were produced by that guy’s magical power they might keep them as bait for some strong monster down here or something like that.”

“So what you want to say is there isn’t anything else but Goblins there?”

“Well, if I guessed right, that is.”

 I see, that’s a considerably justified reasoning but what should we do?



 


  1. She means the trap hole Pick discovered 

Chapter 37 – The trouble during military training

Chapter 37 - The trouble during military training

“Hehe, is there anything else?” I asked. “En, there is! This Chen’s Corporation is very close with the Hong Kong’s local Azure Gang, apparently, their Chen’s Corporation gave a lot of financial help to the Azure Gang behind…



“Hehe, is there anything else?” I asked.

“En, there is! This Chen’s Corporation is very close with the Hong Kong’s local Azure Gang, apparently, their Chen’s Corporation gave a lot of financial help to the Azure Gang behind the scenes!” Guo Qing said.

“Oh? So, this means that this Chen’s Corporation is rather powerful?” I said.

“En. You can say that, but that was before. Now, us, the Three Rock Gang is the largest Gang in Hong Kong, the Azure Gang’s boss have to do stuff depending on my reactions! Haha, it is funny now that I mention it he’s a f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g forty something years old geezer, and he has to call me Guo-ge!” Guo Qing laughed.

I didn’t say anything, I knew that within the underworld that Guo Qing was in, there was no seniority based on age, if you have the power, even if you are only ten, you’re the boss, if you don’t, even if you’re eighty years old, you’re nothing. That was a society of survival of the fittest, there is only strict levels, there was no seniority of age.

“In other words, if we were to make a move on Chen’s Corporation, the Azure Gang will not get involved, right?” I asked.

“About this… It’s hard to say! Since Chen’s Corporation is the Azure Gang’s financial income, a dog would jump across a wall when it’s pushed against the corner! I’m worried that if we push them too much… But it’s no big deal, since the Azure Gang does have their own business now, even if Chen’s falls, it won’t have too much of an impact for them, they will just lose a backing on the surface!” Guo Qing said.

“Alright then! Let’s just leave it like that, I’ll go to Hong Kong within these few days!” I said.

“Boss, you’re going to come in person?” Guo Qing exclaimed.

“En, that’s right! I’m going to make them, the Chen family, know, the consequence of hurting my wife!” I said.

“Alright, boss! Since we haven’t met in so long, we have to go out and have a good drink!” Guo Qing said excitedly.

“You brat, you’re still like this! Why aren’t you like a boss at all!” I laughed.

“In front of you, boss, I’m the subordinate, haha!” Guo Qing also laughed.

“Alright, that’s that, I’ll call you before I go!” I said.

After I hung up, Liu Yue asked, “You’re going to Hong Kong in person?”

“Yeah! I’m going to make this Chen Zelong lose convincingly, and let him know that he pissed off someone he can’t ever afford to piss off!” I stood up, walked to Zhao Yanyan’s side and said while gazing at Zhao Yanyan, who was in deep sleep.

Liu Yue stuck out her tongue after saying that, “Your appearance was so scary just now, just like a… En… like an emperor of the past that was going to kill someone!”

“Hehe, how am I that scary! But that brat, Chen Zelong, truly needs a beating too much, this type of people were born to be beaten up!” I said.

“Hehe! How can you say that, but this Chen Zelong does look like he’s asking to get beaten!” Liu Yue said.

When I went back to school, my bros from the room all ran over and asked, “Boss, where did you go? Didn’t you know, our class’s instructor is completely pissed, you didn’t come starting from the first day, did you know that there is an examination at the end of the military training, if you don’t pass it then it’ll affect your grades!”

Only then did I remember, I didn’t go back to school for three days due to busy being with Zhao Yanyan’s situation. The military training for the new first year students had already begun during this time.

“Say, bros, others don’t know, but don’t you guys know, with my body condition, isn’t military training just a piece of cake?” I said.

“That’s true! However, boss, I think that our class’s instructor isn’t so easily dealt with, he’s a tough nut, I’m afraid that he will trouble you!” Huang Wenjing said worriedly.

It truly was as he expected, when I went to the military training the next day and saw the instructor. When he called out my name, he said, “Liu Lei, did he not come again?”

I quickly answered, “I came!”

That instructor looked at me sideways and said, “You have to say “report sir” before you speak! Why were you missing these few days?”

“Report sir, something happened at home!” I said.

“Something happened at home? What’s so important, could it be as important as military training? Did you ask for leave?” The instructor said in dissatisfaction.

I got more and more angry upon hearing that, what do you mean is it as important as military training? Zhao Yanyan was the most important in my mind, she was something that nothing could take the place of. Originally, I wanted to give this instructor some face, since I was a student of Huaxia University, yet he just had to push my bottom line. Thus, I said coldly, “Military training isn’t anything important from my perspective, it cannot be compared to my issues!”

“What did you say? You said that military training is useless?” The instructor was a deputy company commander, the soldiers underneath him listens to him all the time, just when has he been retorted. Thus, he immediately said with an angry expression, “What kind of thinking is that? From your perspective, if university students don’t need military training, then who’s going to protect our country?”

“There are a lot of ways to protect our country, joining the military is naturally one of the, but there are a lot of other ways, you don’t have to save the country by picking up a gun and going to war, developing technology and developing the economy are also ways to protect the country. Furthermore, these methods are more important during peaceful times!” I said mercilessly.

“You! What did you say! Heng, do you look down on us soldiers?” The instructor was so angry that he started to get unreasonable.

“I don’t mean to look down on you, in fact, I respect soldiers a lot, but I don’t agree with your method of doing things!” I said calmly. “Everyone has their way of repaying the country, university students going to military training is to improve their fitness, to university students, studying new knowledge is the most important.

Seeing that I was arguing with him word for word, he cleared up quite a bit, he couldn’t help but admit that my view in some areas were correct. Yet, as a stubborn soldier, he wasn’t willing to lose face.

Thinking that, he couldn’t help it anymore, “I don’t know how you got into Huaxia University, but looking at you, your family condition is definitely not bad. However, I don’t care what your family does, since you came to this school and to military training, you have to listen to my orders! This is the rules of the military training, as well as the rules of the army!”

My bros from the room nearly laughed out loud hearing the instructor’s words, other classmates that knew me couldn’t help themselves either! How did I come to Huaxia University? They couldn’t be even more clear, I was the first place of the science exams in the national matriculation examinations!

I chuckled and said, “If you have doubts towards me, then I can tell you. First of all, I got into Huaxia University with the total school of seven hundred and forty five in the national matriculation examinations. Secondly, my parents are both normal works in a factory, so your guess does not work! However, since I came to military training, I will naturally listen to you. Yet, even if I didn’t attend military training on the first day, you don’t need to be so spiteful towards me. You can say how you want to punish me.”



 

  1. N/a

Continue reading Chapter 37 – The trouble during military training

Chapter 37 – The trouble during military training

“Hehe, is there anything else?” I asked. “En, there is! This Chen’s Corporation is very close with the Hong Kong’s local Azure Gang, apparently, their Chen’s Corporation gave a lot of financial help to the Azure Gang behind…

Chapter 36 – The grudge between the two girls



Thus, Liu Yue sighed slightly and said, “Liu Lei, I knew you would ask me, I should have told you ages ago, but you have been really down, and you’d only answer me with a sentence after every three I say to you. What’s worse is that the sentence you answer with would be asking me what I said before, that’s why I didn’t really find it right to say anything. Since you asked me now, then I’ll tell you the truth!”

“Sure, I think that you and Yanyan knew each other before?” I could faintly guess what it was, but I wasn’t very sure.

“That’s right! Zhao Yanyan and I were in the same class during primary school!” Liu Yue said in embarassment. “Now that I mention it, it’s really just business between children!

I was the class rep at the time, and Zhao Yanyan was the study representative, originally we should be very friendly, but you know, a child’s envy is very powerful, especially for excellent children, they all wish to be better than others. When they see girls prettier than them, better at academics than them, they don’t accept it and would want to surpass them.

Zhao Yanyan and I… were exactly this sort of children, since a young age… en, we were both princesses at home, we had excellent family conditions, and our grades were very close, either she would be first or I would be first. Furthermore, you also know that when girls are slightly prettier, they would get a lot of attention, so both her and I became the focus point of the school…

Perhaps we were too young back then, somehow, we just got so used to fighting, we always wanted to surpass the other one… At the end, we started treating each other as enemies…

I admit, although I was childish back then, but I don’t know why, the moment when I faced Zhao Yanyan once again that day, I couldn’t help but treat her as an opponent… So, I think that Zhao Yanyan must have had the same thoughts…

Yet, now that I think back on it, it was a bit childish. Liu Lei, can you forgive me?”

I let out a long sigh, what is this, I had thought that they had some sort of huge grudge between them, in the end, it’s actually like this! F̲u̲c̲k̲, this is too crazy! I waved my hand and said, “You can’t be blamed for this, you don’t need to put it to heart. Zhao Yanyan is also recovering, I hope that when she wakes up, you guys…” I really couldn’t say it, I wanted Liu Yue to apologize to Zhao Yanyan, but Liu Yue can’t be blamed for this completely, both of them had a bit of responsibility!

“I understand, hehe, I naturally should apologize to her!” Liu Yue smiled, guessing my intentions, then continued. “Don’t worry, I won’t trouble you!”

Won’t trouble me? I was a bit confused, what does this mean! However, I didn’t think too much about it, instead I asked in curiosity, “Oh yeah, Liu Yue, according to what you said, you should be in our year, why are you a year higher?”

“Hehe, the middle school I went to was a three-years one, so I naturally graduated earlier than you guys! The principle of the school then was grandpa’s friend, and the school didn’t have a four year program!” Liu Yue explained.

I nodded. IN our time, primary school has already become a five-year program, only very few primary schools had six years, that’s why, most middle schools were four years, only a few middle schools that worked with the six-year based primary schools were three-years based.

“Then aren’t you the same age as us?” I asked.

“Hehe, yeah, I was born in October!” Liu Yue said.

“Oh? Since I’m born in August, this means that you have to call me gege!” I laughed.

“Who would be your meimei, there’s no benefits to it!” Liu Yue snorted.

I smiled, and didn’t continued down on this topic. That was because in my subconscious, I didn’t want to treat Liu Yue as my meimei, I had an unspeakable feeling towards Liu Yue, at the start, the impression Liu Yue gave me was that she was very intelligent and very mature. Yet, after getting into contact with her for a while, I noticed that she was very dumb at times, and would often show the side of a little girl. Unknowingly, I started to have a good feeling about her, but I still had not thought about truly turning her into my girlfriend.

Actually, I didn’t know, but Liu Yue is completely a strong independent woman in front of others, she would only show her side as a little girl when she’s with me. Of course, I knew about it all later on.

“Oh yeah, I already got people to do the procedures for the Land Rover you were interested in, you can drive it away any time. Hehe, but this is Yanjing city, we couldn’t get the type of car plate you got in Songjiang city, it seems to have gotten auctioned ages ago,” said Liu Yue.

“It’s fine, I don’t want too great of a car plate, what if I get robbed!” I joked.

Liu Yue clearly didn’t believe what I said, she clearly knew about my influence, and she also knew that I was very close with the Three Rock Gang, which was the largest gang in Asia.

“En, then take it away when you have time,” Liu Yue said.

“Hehe, so sorry, I took the car you put there for show!” I said.

“It’s alright, why’s there a need to separate things so clearly between us…” Saying that, Liu Yue blushed, as if noticing she shouldn’t have phrased it like that, thus she quickly corrected herself. “You also have a share of this car shop, so there’s no need to mind!”

I nodded without paying attention to Liu Yue’s expression. At this moment, my phone rang.

I took out my phone, and saw that it was Guo Qing. This brat’s efficiency is truly great, he must have gotten the results already.

“What, do you have the results?” I picked up the phone and asked.

“Yeah, boss! I already investigated them thoroughly, Chen’s Corporation is a listed company that focuses on real estate development, their total assets are worth 6.3 billion HKD, and the majority of it is fixed assets. Their liquid assets are only about a bit more than a billion!” Guo Qing said without care. You have to know, if a normal person heard this number, they would be freaked out, but Guo Qing is no normal person, his business is getting larger and larger, although the gangs couldn’t develop within the country, but he went to places like Japan and Korea to develop. The gang at least had assets worth several tens of billions of USD, this amount that Chen’s Corporation had really isn’t something.

“Oh, this Chen’s Corporation is rather rich!” When you compared it to other companies, this Chen’s Corporation can be counted as rather rich.

“Ah?” Guo Qing momentarily blanked and said. “Boss, you can’t not even have this much right? It was you who gave me my startup funds!”

I laughed wryly, “Guo Qing. You misunderstood me, what I meant was that in comparison to other companies, this Chen’s Corporation is rather rich. However, in comparison to us, this is nothing!”

“You scared me to death, boss! I thought you got bankrupted!” Guo Qing said. Although Guo Qing didn’t know exactly what sort of business I did, he did know that I was very rich.



 

  1. N/a

Continue reading Chapter 36 – The grudge between the two girls

[Vol. 3] Chapter 10 – Stone Labyrinth III

[Vol. 3] Chapter 10 - Stone Labyrinth III

"Waah! Sa, save meee"  I heard a scream to my left.  That was Drum-senpai's voice. "What happened?"  As I rushed over――  Drum got entangled in some kind of thread and hung upside down.  The thread glitters with a…



“Waah! Sa, save meee”

 I heard a scream to my left.
 That was Drum-senpai’s voice.

“What happened?”

 As I rushed over――
 Drum got entangled in some kind of thread and hung upside down.
 The thread glitters with a golden shine and draws beautiful, radial, geometric patterns.

“Drum, what are you doing? Are you playing around?”

 Bass who was surprised by this view uttered these words.

“Are you stupid? I somehow got caught in this sticky thread and when I thought about untieing myself I ended up like this.”

“Can’t be helped. This Bass-sama will help you so wait. Pick, lend me a hand.”

 To prevent having two more people soon entangled in the thread they tried to cut it with a sword to save Drum, but…….

“Wha, what the hell?”

“Uwah, this stuff is so sticky I can’t cut it at all. I don’t want this, release me”

 Shortly Bass and Pick were also entangled in it.
 The more they struggled the more they got stuck.

“This……So it’s that after all.”

“That’s right, it does look like it’s that”

 Both Knopf and Crescent Moon were nodding at each other.
 Yeah, I think so, too.
 There’s no doubt that this looks like a cobweb.

“Was it this you were talking about when you said “I got it”?”

 I asked the beautiful priestess of darkness, Kitora.

“That’s right. It seems like I was proven right in a way.”

 Kitora shrugged as she answered.

“That being said, the thing back there is……”

“A Spider-type monster, huh?”

 Judging by the size of its nest it’s probably considerably big.

“So, what are we going to do with those guys?”

 Crescent Moon looked at the three people in question.

“Sa, save us, please.”

“Big sis, please get us out of here quickly”

 Hearing those words Kitora spoke coldly.

“This is very troublesome. If you touch it you’ll get stuck in it and aren’t able to leave, even cutting it doesn’t work. Though it might be flammable but if that’s the case these people will most likely burn together with it.”

“Stop that! I don’t want to burn to death–!”

 Pick shouted surprised.
 My seniors were going Wah, Wah as well.

“If you just move around a bit won’t it soon come out?”

“Eh……?”

 At Knopf’s words, the three people suddenly stopped moving.

“It’s surely hiding around here somewhere observing the situation. How about we use them as decoy?”

 At Crescent Moon’s ruthless words those three people shook their heads in silence.
 Even though they actually wanted to protest in a loud voice they didn’t dare to in fear of luring the spider.
 Oh boy, I feel sorry for them.

“It can’t be helped. Well then, you guys, let us know when the spider appears.”

“Head, you can’t be serious?! That’s so cruel”

“That’s right, please save us otherwise we’ll go to the afterlife”

 Even though they were protesting like this in a low voice, just a little louder than being silent, I still refused.
 Because I’m a villain, sorry.

“Then let’s wait at some remote place.”

“That’s right, we’ll immediately rush over as soon as you shout”

 Kitora and Knopf were just as cold.
 Crescent Moon quickly turned her back to them and left.

“Shout to let us know when the spider comes out. But until then you have to endure.”

“S̲h̲i̲t̲, when I die I’ll take you with me”

“Uuh, I’ll curse you for real~”

 As one would expect from my seniors, their comments were really villain-like.
 But it didn’t have much force behind it as they spoke in a low voice.
 Well, don’t worry because we’ll come save you.
 We decided to wait for a bit.

 We waited silently.
 I felt like time was passing strangely slowly.
 Though we just waited for about ten minutes, huh?
 Then I heard the sound which stopped a while ago again.

 Rustle, rustle, rustle

 The sound of something moving slowly and quietly.
 You can tell by the atmosphere that it was considerably big.
 Finally.
 I patiently waited for the perfect timing.

 Rustle…Rustle…Rustle…

“Uwaaaah, something’s there, something’s heeeere!!”

“Head, big sis!!”

“Noo, don’t eat me, don’t eat me!”

 Those three suddenly started to panic.
 It seems like they couldn’t endure hearing that sound as it was a sign of it approaching.
 All four of us rushed over.

“It came out, there it is!”

 Crescent Moon pointed at a place illuminated by a floating fireball.
 When I looked in the direction she pointed in–it was there.
 It was a huge Jorougumo with a body being about one meter long and its legs extending to up to 3 meters.⌈1
 It had a brilliant yellow striped pattern on its black body and had its mouth wide open showing its poisonous-looking fangs.

“Aah, First large centipedes now a giant spider, why is this dungeon filled with those creepy things?!”

 While Crescent Moon was rambling on she took out her sword.
 I took out my two-handed great sword as well.
 They seemed to complain when I burned them last time so should I fight without using fire magic this time around?

 I and Crescent Moon took our stances as the vanguard and the rear guard consists out of Kitora and Knopf.

“Let’s go, Akatsuki!”

 With her Scimitar in one hand and her Gladius in the other she started her assault.
 She did a good job in dodging those eight legs and cutting it but that spider’s movements were fast.
 I also slashed at it from the spider’s blind spot as it tried to avoid Crescent Moon’s swords.
 This one’s powerful.

 My sword hit one of the spider’s legs resulting in it getting cut of and spurting out some liquid.
 The big spider jumped back.

“Sandstorm!”

“Black Flash!” 

 Then Knopf and Kitora evoked their magic.
 It looked like both spells hit and caused considerable damage.

“Alright, I’ll give it the finishing blow”

“Big sis, behind you!”

“There’s another one of them coming!”

 As Crescent Moon got closer to the suffering spider my seniors’ voices echoed though the room.

“Eh?”

 When Crescent Moon turned around she saw another giant spider different from that Jorougumo silently approaching from behind.
 Its size was about 1 meter, its colour was brown, it didn’t have long legs and fine hairs were growing all over its body.
 There were multiple eyes with a deep-black shine to them lined up making it seem sinister.

 Pyo–n

 That spider suddenly jumped 3 meters at once and threw itself on Crescent Moon.
Is that guy a jumping spider?!⌈2

 Crescent Moon’s reaction to that spider’s excessive speed was delayed.
 The spider held Crescent Moon down with its legs then it opened its big mouth filled with sharp fangs.

“Shiiit, hey, let me go!”

“I’ll help you now, you guys take care of the first one!”

 I shouted those things to Kitora and Knopf while I was rushing over to Crescent Moon.
 Crescent Moon was desperately trying to avoid the fangs trying to bite her by twisting her neck.

 Subuu!

 I pierced the side of the Spider’s body while being careful not to injure Crescent Moon.

 Kishikishikishi

 Still, the jumping spider monster didn’t let go of Crescent Moon.
 It still had its mouth wide open to take a bite.
 When I pulled my great sword out of its side I pierced its mouth from above using both hands.

 Kishikishi…kishi…

 Then the huge jumping spider slowly released Crescent Moon before it completely ceased to move.
 When I looked over to the other spider it seemed like it got stuck to the ground by some black smoke which probably got released by Kitora while it got turned into Swiss cheese by Knopf’s air rifle magic.

“Looks like it’s over”

“I, I’m saved. I couldn’t react to it that quickly. I was almost gobbled up.”

 While Crescent Moon said this she rubbed her upper arm as she seemed to feel bad.
 Well, it was only natural for her to get crept out after being held down by something like that.
 But she didn’t seem to be injured which was good.

“It seems like you took care of that one rather well”

“It was easy because Kitora firmly kept it on the ground”

“It was already considerably weakened, to begin with. This was just a basic dark spell.”

“Hehe, well, everything’s fine as long as the results are good. With this, this case is settled.”

 As Crescent Moon was exclaiming joyfully a criticising voice erupted from the darkness.

“The case is settled my a̲s̲s̲! Help us quickly!”

“That’s right, my blood is flowing to my head. I’m at my limit……”

“Big bro, big sis, please save me.”

 Looks like those three are considerably well, too.
 Can’t be helped, shall we save them now?
 But how do we save them?

“That spider web is definitely acidic so it should dissolve if it’s treated with some alkaline water solution.”

 While Knopf was thinking she began to talk.

“Then get that Ali something and dissolve this thing!”

 My seniors were immediately reacting to that and went Wah, Wah again.

“But that thread sure is great. One can’t have enough of that. Wouldn’t this be really popular if one takes it back?”

 Kira–n

 About one person immediately reacted to Knopf’s words with sparkling eyes.

“That’s right, it would be a waste to jut cut it, burn it or dissolve it. Hmm……That’s it!”

 Crescent Moon picked up the sword Drum seemed to have dropped when he got entangled.

“Like this”

 As she put the sword on the thread she started to turn it around and around.
 Round and round and round and round she skilfully rolled it up.
 You’re pretty diligent when money is involved.

“Big sis, don’t do that, quickly help uuuus.”

“Shut up, I’ll help you soon so wait quietly!”

 Then she took her time and after Drum’s sword wasn’t enough anymore she started to use Bass’ sword to neatly roll up the spider web.
 The two people’s swords turned into spool cars.
 Besides, it’s troublesome as that stuff is sticky and tends to stick together.

 After that Knopf made some soapy water put it on the thread which coiled around their bodies and then they were set free again.
Though they were covered in bubbles but that’s not a bad thing either as they don’t seem to take a lot of baths anyway.

“Thank you, Knopf-san”

“But how should we use our swords like this?”

 My seniors grieved over their swords turned spool cars.

“Even if you have a sword you can’t use it anyway! Please be careful not to drop it or stick it to other things! If you make a mistake you’ll regret it!”

“Th, that’s……”

“Please forgive us”

 To be treated so cruelly, my seniors are pitiful as well.
 But it’s good that you somehow got saved, right, seniors?



 


  1. Jorougumo is a type of spider. But it’s also said to be some kind of Youkai 
  2. Salticidae 

Chapter 35 – Counterattacking the Chen Family

Chapter 35 - Counterattacking the Chen Family

I took out my phone, and dialed Guo Qing’s number. The call went through very quickly with Guo Qing’s voice passing through from the other side, “Boss, why is it you! How is it, does it feel great…



I took out my phone, and dialed Guo Qing’s number.

The call went through very quickly with Guo Qing’s voice passing through from the other side, “Boss, why is it you! How is it, does it feel great in Yanjing with the two dasaos?”

“…” I stayed silent for a bit. It’s not a surprise that Guo Qing would think that, originally, Chen Weier had separated for so long, now that we could finally be together, we must be having a good time. However, something like this just had to come up.

“Guo Qing, Zhao Yanyan got hit by a car, she’s at the hospital right now,” I took a deep breath and said.

“What! Dasao got hit by a car, which damn b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ doesn’t want to live anymore, laozi’s going to murder him!” Hearing that, Guo Qing immediately got angry.

“There’s no need to kill him, but teaching him a lesson is unavoidable!” I said.

“Alright, boss, tell me what to do!” Guo Qing said.

“Where are you now?” I asked.

“I’m in Hong Kong, we’re negotiating with the originally largest gang here, the Azure Gang!” Guo Qing said.

“Negotiate? Why did you go to Hong Kong?” I thought to myself, this is coincidental enough, it seems like that brat Chen Zelong is really unfortunate.

“Didn’t I already go and expand my power last year at Hong Kong, we have already controlled a third of the territories in Hong Kong, a while ago, the gang got into a fight with the largest local gang here due to territories, and fought so many times. Boss, you should know this, our subordinates all practiced those secret techniques, we’re capable of handling special forces, so obviously those unorganized bunch! The Azure Gang lost quite a bit, not only did they lose a large part of their territory, they have to ask to negotiate with us now and ask for peace. Of course I will use this chance to rip him off!” Guo Qing said proudly.

Only then did I remember, last year, Guo Qing did find me once, telling me that his subordinates were too weak, they relied completely on fierceness when fighting, so he wanted me to help him think of some way. Since I had nothing to do, I picked a few easy ones from the ancient martial arts that Footy taught me and taught it to Guo Qing so he can train the other brothers. However, even though it was the easiest, in the current society it’s so much stronger than those something Taekwondo. I didn’t think that my unmeaningful action caused Guo Qing’s power to grow immensely, allowing his territory to increase to all over the country.

“Not bad!” I said to Guo Qing. “When these things are all over, I have a thought that I’ll tell you later! Now, go and do something for me, help me investigate Hong Kong’s Chen’s Corporation, and tell me about their background!”

“Sure, boss! There’s nothing in Hong Kong that I can’t do right now, as long as boss says it, I ca even bomb that s̲h̲i̲t̲t̲y Chen’s Corporation!” Guo Qing promised.

“Never mind about bombing, I don’t want you to become Laden 2.0!” I said.

“Laden? Who’s that?” Guo Qing asked in confusion, “A lantern dude?”

That made me remember, this was just 1998, bin Laden wasn’t known by the world yet! Thus I quickly said, “Nothing, he’s just a terrorist head in a movie!”

“Oh,” Guo Qing didn’t mind at all.

“Then that’s that, don’t take any actions after getting news, report it to me, then I’ll decide how to deal with the Chen family!” I said.

After I hung up, I couldn’t help but smile. Chen Zelong, I’m going to see when you can act amazing to.

I got the medical staff to bring me a tub of hot water so I can help Zhao Yanyan wipe her body. Aside from discussing Shuguang Corporation’s business with Uncle Zhao, I just stayed by Zhao Yanyan’s side. Originally, these type of higher class wards would have medical staff specifically in charge of the patient’s needs, but I just feel like they are not as attentive as me/

After I wiped Zhao Yanyan’s body, and helped her put on the blanket, door knocks could be heard.

I walked over and opened the door. Liu Yue had arrived, she held a thermal lunch box in her hands. These few days, Liu Yue pretty much brought me all my meals.

“What? It’s time to eat again?” I muttered to myself.

“Ai!” Liu Yue sighed and said. “Look at you, didn’t the doctor already say that Yanyan is fine! Why are you still barely eating and drinking everyday! You are never hungry when I bring you food! If you continue like this, Yanyan will only feel more heartache when she wakes up and sees you like this! What’s more, Weier-jiejie will also feel pained! Also, I will too…” Saying that, Liu Yue suddenly stopped. Only when she saw that I didn’t notice, did she quickly pretend like nothing happened.

Indeed, I did not notice. I thought to myself, Liu Yue is right! Since Yanyan’s fine now, what am I doing continuing on like this! I am someone that has been through life and death, why am I still so easily impacted! Thus, I smiled, “Yeah, let’s eat, I really am a bit angry.

Liu Yue smiled, took out the lunch box and put it in front of me.

While I was eating the previous days, I just casually ate, and did not pay attention to what was in the lunch box. Now that I had a look, it really was extremely lavish, there was meat and vegetables. To be honest, I haven’t eaten properly these few days, now that I see these dishes, my appetite also arose, so I immediately devoured all the good hastily.

Only when I put my chopsticks down did I notice that Liu Yue didn’t even break open the chopsticks in front of her. I immediately understood, so I ate Liu Yue’s portion as well!

“Sorry, it was too delicious, so I ate everything,” I said awkwardly.

“It’s okay, I bring enough for 2 people every day, you might have been too hungry today! It’s alright, I made some extra at home, I’ll just eat back home!” Liu Yue smiled.

“What! You made it yourself?” I said in surprise. I had thought that she brought me the take outs from a certain hotel, I didn’t think that she made it herself! It seems like I owe her another favor, ai!

“Yeah, I feel the food outside is just not as good as what I make, hehe!” Liu Yue said.

All of a sudden, I really didn’t know what to say. Originally, Liu Yue had a bit of responsibility for what happened to Zhao Yanyan, but I felt like there was more to it. Normally speaking, Zhao Yanyan would treat me finding girls outside with a closed eye, or even support me. However, she acted very unusual this time, there wasn’t anything going with Liu Yue and I, yet Zhao Yanyan already got so angry, that doesn’t make sense.

In this period of time, I’ve been really down, and didn’t have the time to consider these things, now it was a good chance to understand the entire situation properly, I believe Liu Yue definitely knows.

Thus, I said, “Liu Yue, I want to ask you about some things, I hope you can answer me honestly.”

Liu Yue was extremely smart, hearing what I said, she immediately knew what I was going to ask.



 

  1. N/a

Continue reading Chapter 35 – Counterattacking the Chen Family

[Vol. 3] Chapter 9 – Stone Labyrinth II

[Vol. 3] Chapter 9 - Stone Labyrinth II

When we tried to annihilate that horde with magic white bones and weapons of several adventurers rolled towards us from the middle of the room.  How pitiful, it seems like they were attacked by those giant centipedes in…



When we tried to annihilate that horde with magic white bones and weapons of several adventurers rolled towards us from the middle of the room.
 How pitiful, it seems like they were attacked by those giant centipedes in this room and turned into clean bones by them.

“Oh my, how regretful. Though those are some good bones I can’t use them if they are burned to that extent. If the bones are burned they get brittle.”

 Kitora, the beautiful priestess of darkness, looked at the remaining bones before looking towards me.
 Even though I got rid of them don’t look at me with those blaming eyes.

“Aaah, they are all burned. Those would have been valuable as well, what a waste. Neither the weapons nor the armour can be sold if they are burned like this.”

 The masked female mercenary, Crescent Moon also sighed after she poked the burned things with her scimitar.
 Aaah, god damn it, what’s with you?!
 Be little happier that you won after all that hard work!
 Hey, look, doesn’t the cat-girl magician, Knopf wear an apologetic expression?

 However, even if you defeat those things you neither gain experience points nor do the monsters drop magic stones or something.
 That’s because this is my novel’s world and not a game’s world.
 I should have created a setting to gain some kind of merit after one defeats a monster.
 Can’t be helped, next time let’s not only think about winning but also about how to “make profit”.
 Can we afford that, though?

 This room seemed to be a dead end.
 Even though the female hobbit thief Pick checked all the walls in various ways she found nothings.
 As we didn’t have any other choice we returned to the crossroad from a while ago and turned right.⌈1
 We continued the right-hand-touching-wall strategy.

 This time’s path bend left then right and then continued straight.
 On the way, there were some doors and entrances to some empty rooms in the walls.
 When we entered the first room, for the time being, we encountered two large mice.

 Even if I call them mice they were huge rats the size of a dog.
 Their front teeth were correspondingly big as well and their bloodshot eyes were rather creepy.
 Though they were very aggressive and suddenly attacked us Pick and Crescent Moon calmly killed them.
 It was particularly good that no one got bitten.
 They seemed like they carried some disease-causing germs.
 There wasn’t anything special inside.

 The next room was completely empty but the room after that had something promising in it.
 That’s right, Slimes.
 A semi-transparent jelly like object was sticking to the back of the room while wriggling.
 Its size is about 1 meter in height and breadth and it had a yellowish colour.
 Though I was impressed by seeing a slime for the first time but the others didn’t really react to it.
 Though it was approaching us it could only move slowly and as it didn’t seem to drop anything valuable either we ignored it.
 Only Bass-senpai was noisy and said “It looks so soft, I kind of want to touch it!” but he got completely ignored.
 I kind of understand that feeling, senior.

 Incidentally, slimes can absorb damage caused by blades and they are resistant against various magic systems depending on their colour.
 Therefore they are a pain in the a̲s̲s̲ and everyone avoids them.
 But there are exceptions as well.
 It’s the “Metallic Slime” which has a metallic lustre.
 Among them are golden and silver ones as well as ones that shine in the colours of the rainbow.
 It’s popular among the adventurers because it drops precious metal like silver and gold according to its colour but it’s difficult to hit as it moves fast and will instantly escape.⌈2
 ……According to the setting of my novel.
 Though you might have heard that somewhere before it’s not plagiarism it’s admiration!
 By the way, the rainbow coloured slime drops Oricalcum the material which Carlo’s and the Hero’s sword are made of.
 That explains why it’s so expensive.

 We left the Slime behind and continued on.

“Please wait a minute”

 Pick who went ahead suddenly stopped and raised her voice.
 She was carefully checking the floor of the road ahead of us.
 When she knocked on it there was a rattling noise and then the floor gave in.
 The floor completely disappeared on a considerable scale and we weren’t able to move forward.
 That’s a rather large-scale trap.

“Uwa– That was dangerous. Good that you noticed that.”

 Crescent Moon exclaimed in admiration.

“Hehe, that’s my job.”

 Pick who got praised looked proud.
 Then my seniors came from behind.

“That’s right, this is a piece of cake for us.”

“That’s right, that’s right, we’re used to this so we can recognize those things with just one glance.”

I’m sorry but I don’t think I can leave the front to you, seniors.
 I feel like you’ll absolutely overlook a trap.
 I don’t feel like I can place my life in your hands.

 Still, it’s weird that the floor didn’t already collapse.
 Could it be that nobody fell into that trap before?
 If someone triggered it then the floor should have already disappeared.

“That trap wasn’t triggered so does that mean no one came this way before?”

 As I asked that I had a slightly puzzled expression on my face then Kitora answered.

“It may or may not be like that”

“Does that mean that the trap can be triggered again even if someone was already caught in it?”

 As Kitora gave a vague answer Knopf was listening again.

“As I thought you’re rather perceptive. It’s a possibility. Well then, let’s go back”

 After she said this Kitora proceeded to go back.
 Everyone else follows her in a hurry.
 We returned to the crossroad.
 We took the right and only remaining road.

 After following this path for a while the surrounding walls, ceiling and floor turned from stone into earth.
 A Rugged rocky surface was exposed.
 The former man-made feeling disappeared and it seemed more like a naturally formed cave.

“I see, so this was made with this natural case as basis after all. So, when everything else got changed then this is……”

 While holding her chin and lowering her gaze Kitora seemed to be lost in thoughts.
 Everyone looked at her in silence.
 Not wanting to disturb anyone I didn’t know what to say.

 Still, this sure is a dreary place.
 Everywhere you look there’s earth.
 The only thing moving is a little spider running over the ground.

“I think I got it.”

 Kitora who was lost in her thoughts raised her face.

“May we hear about it?”

 Even though I asked her Kitora shook her head.

“It’s just a simple guess and you’ll naturally come to a conclusion when we advanced a bit further. Let’s go”

“What’s with you? Tell me. This is awkward, don’t you think?”

 Even with Crescent Moon asking like this Kitora ignored her without changing her expression.
 That beautiful girl is more stubborn than her appearance may imply.
 Everyone was rather tense after listening to Kitora so we advanced slowly.

“Di, did you hear something?”

 Crescent Moon was whispering in a low voice.

 Rustle Rustle……

 As everybody held their breath and listened carefully one surely could hear a faint sound coming from the darkness.
 It’s obviously the sound of “something” moving.

“What’s making that sound, big sis?”

“How should I know?!”

“You two, keep quiet or it’ll notice us!”

 They kept on quarrelling in a low voice.
I got a feeling we’ll definitely get noticed.

 After we advanced for a while the cave suddenly became bigger.
 The ceiling got higher as well.

 Rustle……

 That sound was now clearly louder than a while ago.
 I can’t see it in this darkness but it seems to come from behind.

“Hey, you guys, go back there and check.”

“Why are you saying that again, big sis?! You made us go look back at the church, too!”

“That’s right, that’s right, that’s just too cruel, big sis. Don’t you think so as well, Head?”

 Are they still troubled by that incident back then?
 Please, don’t involve me in this.

“It can’t be helped, then let’s go together”

 We left the back to Knopf, Kitora and Pick then advanced with me and Crescent Moon between my two seniors who stood at both ends.
While we were approaching the sound we heard until a while ago suddenly stopped.
 Not being able to hear a sound enhanced the tension.
 As one would expect everyone is silent and slowly advanced.
 Then a cry suddenly broke the silence.

“Waah!”
 Didn’t that voice belong to Drum? What happened?



 


  1. So the road that’s to their right now 
  2. Metal slimes from Dragon quest? 

[Vol 1] Chapter 3 – First Steps

[Vol 1] Chapter 3 – First Steps

TL: Benguin Editors: Chichén Itzá Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and before anyone knew it, a year had already passed. Under Wufeng’s leadership, the second platoon was engaged in extensive training without breaks throughout…


TL: Benguin
Editors: Chichén Itzá

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and before anyone knew it, a year had already passed. Under Wufeng’s leadership, the second platoon was engaged in extensive training without breaks throughout the year; by doing so, he became a lot more familiar with the soldiers under his command. Also, since the soldiers saw how Wufeng never displayed the same arrogant and demeaning attitude as the other members of the aristocracy, they began to interact with Wufeng with more familiarity.

Liang Chongxin was born in a family of wealthy workshop owners from the Huzhou Prefecture in the Jiangnan Commandery that is renowned throughout the world for the high quality of their four essentials materials for calligraphy and scholarship: the inkstone, paper, brush, and the ink. Many scholars from all parts of the empire enjoy using these Huzhou specialties, which is greatly driving the demand up. Making it impossible to fully supply the market of the capital.

The craft of making these quality goods is also a very skill-intensive industry, and the Liang family for many generations has been in the business with great prestige. For Liang Congxin however, he holds no interest in his family’s business, so instead he spends his time learning and practicing martial arts, and thankfully, his parents did not opposed. His way of life persisted until he was twenty some years old. Being still unemployed, Chongxin was very embarrassed, so four years ago, he kept the appearance of traveling the world and joined the army with the hope to make a name for himself before returning home, bringing honor upon his family name.

Due to the talent he showed during his time in the military, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and squad leader. However, due to his freeman status, along with the lack of connections, he was unable to advance any more in rank; furthermore, since Wufeng was assigned to the squad as their leader despite being a recruit, many of his brothers in arms found this to be highly unfair.

Wufeng only found out this piece of information later in the year after he became more familiar with the soldiers. Being aware of this, Wufeng was also somewhat pensive, in accordance with Chongxin’s abilities, not to mention a platoon, he’s even capable of leading a battalion or a brigade as a lieutenant colonel or brigadier general.

However, facing the Empire’s favoritism for individuals with strong social background, many talents as Chongxin were neglected, decreasing the Empire’s strength day by day.

Seeing this situation, surrounding nations have also continuously provoked the Empire with border friction with the intention of seeking to exploit them in their moment of weakness.

Internally, there are a few talented magistrates on the borders who recognizes the urgency that the Empire currently faces and secretly have prepared for the possibilities of conflict. Similarly, the Imperial court isn’t completely incompetent either and have also raised more troops and weapons to prepare for the worst scenarios.

Most of Wufeng’s command consist of raw recruits, but they are young, athletic, and hard-working. The only thing that they truly lack is the experience which could only be found on the battlefield.

The Third Division that Wufeng was assigned to was a mixed division, with the Fourth Brigade and the Fifth Battalion, which formed part of an infantry Battalion. Because it was a newly reorganized, many veterans from other battalions were transferred to provide the backbone and improve the combat effectiveness of the unit. For Wufeng’s platoon, he also taught them a relaxation technique that his master taught him, allowing the soldiers to recover faster and maintain a healthier body. This technique, along with the year of intensive training, allowed Wufeng’s unit to stand out heads above the rest.

During Wufeng’s journey around the world, he studied politics, military strategy, culture, and economics at the world recognized Heidelberg University. After comparing the military doctrines of the east with the ones of the west, it gave him the idea of a revolutionary military organization system that was much more effective than the current one; however, he had to perfect it before it is ready to be implemented.


In the blink of an eye, another year had passed, entering the year 689 of the Continental Calendar. During these years, the platoon under Wufeng’s command had placed top in the war games, martial tournament, and team training. Wufeng himself had demonstrated his talent and modesty that greatly differs him from other aristocratic officers, earning the good graces of his superiors at the battalion and company level.

As such, when the first company’s Captain was honorably discharged due to a training accident and Wufeng’s Major were transferred to replace him, Wufeng was chosen as the replacement as Company Leader, promoting him to the position of Major as well. Under his recommendation, Liang Chongxin was promoted to sergeant and was chosen to accompany Wufeng as his deputy. Replacing Liang Chongxin is Kang Jianguo for his martial prowess, who was also promoted to the rank of corporal.

During these two years, Liang Chongxin couldn’t help but admire and respect his superior. Wufeng’s knowledge, analytical ability, and stratagem had all made Chongxin speechless. As for his recent promotion, when Wufeng had first recommended it, he hadn’t really put in any hopes of it succeeding, but once again he was wrong and the proposal smoothly passed.

Recalling his young superior’s actions over the past two years, Chongxin could clearly see that despite the youthful face, Wufeng displays an intellect and maturity that is far beyond his age. Even now, despite the familiar way that they acted around each other, Chongxin still cannot fathom the depth of the mystery that is Wufeng; furthermore, Wufeng had also gifted him with stacks of books with regards to military stratagem for his improvement.

What is Wufeng thinking? What is his goal of joining the army? These are questions remain unanswered, yet Chongxin feels that Wufeng is not a simple man, and his desire to help is sincere. Comparing how he had been treated in the army before and after Wufeng’s leadership, Chongxin soon decided that since the path that he will take in this life is his to choose, he will devote it to Wufeng.

After taking his post as the leader of the Third Company, Wufeng had all the company start on its training exercise, citing the second platoon’s performance as a standard. The overall length of this exercise is three months, with a focus on the improvement of the overall unit’s combat ability.

Liang Chongxin was appointed as the organizer of this excursion as well as handing out the rewards and punishments for those who acts in contempt of the command in accordance with military law.

When Wufeng had announced this at the company meeting, the crowd had an immediate reaction. Kang Jianguo was a regular soldier before his promotion, so many of his peers were jealous of his fortune; however, under Wufeng’s command, he was given the opportunity to advance. Similarly, Liang Chongxin’s promotion was also because he received recognition as part of Wufeng’s staff. For both these individuals, they would normally have been stuck in their role as foot soldiers if it weren’t for Wufeng’s help. Thus, the regular soldiers felt that this was a great opportunity to gain some attention by showcasing their talents and advance in the ranks.

However, when the company started their exercise, Wufeng did not personally lead and observe, an action that differs from his normal habits. Instead, he delegated the task to Liang Chongxin, emphasizing the importance of supervision and training methods for the best outcome before going into the city. While Chongxin did not really understand the reasons behind Wufeng’s mysterious actions, nevertheless, he did as he was asked and oversaw the training every day, bringing the original training methods of the Second Platoon to the entire company.