Category Archives: Ragweed Princess

Backwater Explorers and Angry Knights (Part 1)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

Three Fang Mice, each about the size of a medium dog, emerged from the darkness, brandishing their enormous fangs as they attacked.

Normally, cave-dwelling creatures would flee from the light, but these were clearly magical beasts. Undeterred, they charged straight into the radiant glow of the Light spell.

“「O stream, become a blade and cut through the enemy before me」—「Aqua Ripper」!”

I quickly chanted the spell, converting the magic essence in the air to stabilize it into the form of ‘water.’ A water blade about one meter long appeared in my right hand.

“—hiss!”

I slashed the ‘Fang Mouse’ that leaped at me head-on and then twisted my wrist to slice through the second one that lunged at my waist.

The last remaining one dodged the water blade and charged towards Eren, who was behind me. I caught sight of this out of the corner of my eye and instinctively tried to turn and strike with my blade.

“Take this—hiyaah!”

With an ungraceful shout, Eren swung her spear down at the ‘Fang Mouse’ aiming for her feet.

Her aim was true, and she struck the rat’s body. However, due to her lack of weight and strength, it wasn’t a fatal blow.

“Haa—!”

Even so, stopping its movement for even a moment was good enough. As I spun around, I extended the water blade and sliced the fang mouse’s neck at an angle.

The beast’s head and body separated cleanly. If this were a real sword, the scene would have been quite gruesome. However, the water blade, with its laser-like sharpness, also had a cleansing effect that repelled blood and dirt upon cutting, leaving a clean, pink cross-section as the ‘Fang Mouse’ fell apart like in a manga.

“Phew…”

Having dealt with the immediate threat, Eren and I both let out a sigh of relief.

“Ahahaha! Bravo, well done! Lady Jill’s magic sword is perfectly suited to controlling both her physical strength and her range. Yes, yes, very well thought out. And Lady Eren, your reactions to the enemy’s movements are impressive, showing that you’ve clearly trained under a skilled teacher. However, if I were to point out a flaw, it would be that both of you seem to lack stamina and endurance. You should focus on building up your basic physical strength!”

As we stood there, Bartholomew, who had been waiting behind us, delivered his usual grandiose lecture with his characteristic over-the-top attitude and tone.

To be blunt, it’s incredibly annoying.

—I should never have summoned him. I really shouldn’t have.

I deeply regret it, but there’s no undoing what’s been done. Ignoring him, I pointed the tip of my water blade at the spear Eren had just pulled out of the Fanged Mouse’s body. Using a technique mimicking water jet, I rinsed off the blood and grime, confirming it was clean before giving my right hand a small flick to dissipate the watery sword.

Once the spell was deactivated, the water blade vanished as if by magic—well, it actually was magic—without leaving so much as a single puddle behind.

This efficiency in spellcasting was thanks to my special lessons with the Headmistress. I can now conjure elements like water and fire with precise control, such as ‘burning only the top sheet of a stack of documents.’ This level of finesse wasn’t possible before.

Typically, magic and spellcraft (to avoid a lengthy explanation, just think of magic as relying on innate talent, while spellcraft achieves similar effects through rituals or procedures) emphasize power and impact, and this kind of delicate manipulation is often overlooked. But for me, it’s a significant advantage.

For instance, I can detect blood flow and bodily fluids within a person, focusing healing on areas where abnormalities are found. I can even selectively target and destroy small cancer cells without surgery (not that the concept exists here), which has dramatically expanded the scope of my healing abilities.

“This is amazing! I never thought of using magic like this—it’s a real eye-opener. In terms of healing efficiency, you might even surpass Snow. That girl usually just brute forces everything with her massive magic power, so she can’t apply it as flexibly. Hey, Jill, how about doing some medical work on the side through my connections? You could probably charge something like a thousand gold coins and get away with it.”

The one who praised this during the special lesson, after I demonstrated it on an animal, was none other than Headmistress Mei.

I almost wanted to quip, “Do you take me for an unlicensed back-alley doctor?!” (though, in reality, there’s no licensing system for medical practices here)—but setting that aside, I think she’s overestimating me a bit. After all, the person she’s comparing me to is the legendary Saintess said to have the power to revive even the dead. Someone like me could never…

Just as I had that thought, something tugged at a chord deep within my mind, and I found myself tilting my head in confusion.

“Revive… the dead?”

“Lady Jill?” While I was lost in thought, Eren had efficiently begun dissecting the fanged mice with her hunting knife, extracting the small magic stones within. Noticing my contemplative state, she furrowed her brows in concern.

“Oh, sorry. I was just distracted, trying to recall something that’s on the tip of my mind but won’t come back to me. Thank you for collecting the magic stones.”
“It’s nothing. I used to occasionally butcher the horned rabbits we caught back in the village, so I’m used to it. Also, what should we do with the meat and hides?”
“Let’s see. There shouldn’t be any poison, so I’ll put them in storage just in case.”

You can never have too much food in an emergency.

I used spatial magic, Close Art, on the corpses of the three fanged mice and their magic stones—though I regularly stash away quite a bit, I’ve fortunately never encountered any limits to this art so far. With my resolve renewed, I resumed my position at the front and began walking down the passageway again.

“Still, what exactly is this place? Gray caves, corridors, and small rooms… all we’ve encountered are rats like those or oversized bats and other monsters. Could this be one of those Dungeons?”

Eren, walking just behind me, complained wearily, gazing at the monotonous stone walls and ceiling.

Incidentally, the cave walls have phosphorescent rocks placed about every five mertes apart, but sometimes there are side passages or branches between the light sources, where monsters like the ones we encountered earlier can jump out. To be safe, I split the light from my Light spell into two orbs, one floating above my head and the other hovering slightly ahead to illuminate the path forward.

“Hmm… This is likely a dungeon created by local monsters. However, given that certain parts seem to have been subtly altered, it’s possible that someone else modified existing ruins or a subterranean tomb to create this place. But, I must say, it’s an utterly uninspired, cramped space, devoid of even the barest decorative elements. I, Bartholomew, though a warrior, am also a knight of the Crimson Empire’s palace and can appreciate a bit of humor. Whoever created this place must be a dull, narrow-minded, and petty individual. Truly, it’s a dreadful place.”

Bartholomew, walking behind us, was going on with a tone of barely contained frustration. Well, personal grievances aside, it’s clear that someone’s been here before us. The presence of phosphorescent rocks, branching paths, small rooms, and shoddy treasure chests (containing little more than old coins or rusty swords) all point to someone having tampered with this place.

“It’s best to get out of this depressing place as quickly as possible. So, Lady Jill, are you sure this is the right direction?” Bartholomew asked casually as he effortlessly obliterated an opus bat flying toward us with his halberd—though the resulting shockwave also cracked the ceiling and walls, threatening to cause a collapse.

Since he’d been smashing ceilings and walls as we progressed, our retreat was basically cut off, leaving Vier—who was supposed to guard the rear—walking beside Eren and me, ready to grab us and flee at a moment’s notice. Even when I voiced my concerns, Bartholomew just laughed it off, saying, “Isn’t this perfect? We don’t need to worry about what’s behind us. A true man always falls forward, even when defeated!” So, I gave up trying to change his mind.

Also, Bartholomew is the only man in our party, while Eren, Vier, and I are all biologically female, but there’s no point in correcting him on that.



 

Ragweed Princess Chapter 92 (Part 1)

New Chapter!

New Chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 92-1 «

Ragweed Princess Chapter 91 (Part 2)

New Chapter!

New chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 91-2 «

The Identity of the Magic Formation and the Fishes in the Barrel (Part 2)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

A glint of menace flashed from Cestlavie’s eyes for a moment, before—

“What’s that?!”

Prompted by someone’s urgent shout, Luke and Cestlavie snapped their attention towards the direction of the voice—the church’s main gate.

Everyone gathered in the courtyard, caught by the intense atmosphere, turned to look as well.

Soon, a massive ogre emerged from the dark forest and stepped into the brightly lit church grounds. It wore tattered clothing that looked like it had been soaked in water for a long time and a strange mask. The creature proudly displayed its enormous stature and the giant scythe it wielded as it leisurely walked forward.

The scene was so surreal that everyone present watched in stunned silence as the ogre approached the church’s barrier. Sparks flew vividly where its foot touched the ground, and the ogre, looking annoyed, retracted its step.

Though it felt like an eternity, only a few seconds had passed.

The barrier’s sparks snapping in the darkness broke the paralysis that had gripped everyone.

“Uwaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!” Barry, the student council president, screamed again, triggering another wave of panic.

“It’s Gus! The immortal ogre from Lake Quartz!”
“Nooooooo! I don’t want to die!”
“Help! Help! Mommy!”

The panic this time was even more overwhelming, spreading rapidly.

“Calm down! Everyone, calm down, you fools!”
“Prioritize evacuating the women! Those who can fight, grab weapons!”

Even Lieselotte’s reprimands and Viola’s encouragement barely reached the frenzied crowd.

“Damn it! The faint traces of mana are useless in this chaos!”
“Move! Please move aside!”

Pressed by the flood of students and personnel desperately seeking refuge inside the church, Luke and Cestlavie found it impossible to stay put or grab weapons to fight. They clicked their tongues in frustration, struggling to manage the frantic flow of people.

♦♢♦

At the same time, in the commercial district of the capital city of Cilento Central Nation in the Livitium Imperial Kingdom, a girl with short violet hair was letting out a strange cry in front of a small general store situated on a street lined with relatively cramped shops.

“What do you mean a company trip, in this timing?!”

Illuminated by a magical flame in her palm, the front of the store had an unexpected notice written with flowing brush strokes.

The All-Solutions Firm is currently closed for a company trip.
If you have urgent requests, please send a letter to inmate Mardukas at the prison of the United Kingdom of Déra-Amítia. When he receives the letter, hymn number 108 will be requested at the Great Cathedral of the Deva Kureha Church in the Graviol Empire. After this is played, an advertisement stating ‘For sale: Prehistoric Civilization Type G Agricultural Golem’ along with contact details will be published in the Livitium Times. You can then get in touch there—

“What’s with this spy-esque contact method?!”

The girl, frustrated by the excessively convoluted and impractical instructions, impulsively threw the ball of flame in her hand. The notice caught fire, seemingly on the verge of causing a blaze. However, the fire burned only the notice, not even leaving a scorch mark on the building, showing an incredible level of control.

The girl took several deep breaths, her anger not yet fully subsided, but soon regained her composure and held her head in her hands.

“Uggghhhh… I’ve got the news from my familiar, but it will take a whole day for the academy’s rescue team to arrive on the scene. I wanted to go with them just in case, but…”

If only she knew this would happen, she really should’ve gone through with preparing an additional guard.

“I can’t go there directly myself, after all…” she sighed again. This was Mei Iroha, the principal of the Livitium Imperial Academy, whose overwhelming magical power was said to rival the entire military might of the Graviol Empire. Due to the fear of her abilities, various nations had requested that she could not enter other countries without an invitation from the receiving country or approval from the Empire, making her situation quite complicated.

“If anything happens to Jill, you’re the one I’m blaming~~!”

A mournful, eerie moan filled with vengeful resentment echoed in front of the vacant general store.

♦♢♦

At the same time.

Due to the time zone difference, it was still midday at a seaside resort in the Kingdom of Tristis, a small tropical country on the westernmost peninsula of the continent. A mysterious peddler grilling seafood yakisoba on a teppan at a food stall suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, prompting him to open his narrow eyes.

“…I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” he muttered, glancing back over his shoulder toward the distant Livitium Imperial Kingdom.

Just then, an employee, a white cat beastman named Chaton, who wore only a swimsuit and an apron, walked over with an order slip, looking as unmotivated as usual.

“Boss, we’ve got an additional order. Two Poseidon bowls and two stir-fried Titan meat.”
“Alright, got it. Once this is ready, you can take your lunch break, Chaton.”
“Understood.”

Chaton nodded but then tilted her head in a lackadaisical manner.

“By the way, this is supposed to be a company trip, right? So why are we working at a beach shack?”
“Well, that’s because we don’t have travel expenses. We have to earn our keep for tonight’s lodging and food.”
“Uh-huh…”

Chaton nodded again, seemingly understanding but also not.

“Well, since we’re at the beach, we might as well enjoy ourselves a little,” he said, laughing cheerfully.

Little did he know, upon their return to the capital, he would face the irrational wrath of Headmistress Mei.



 

The Identity of the Magic Formation and the Fishes in the Barrel (Part 1)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

In Front of the St. Campbell Church, Belonging to the Saintess Faith—

“I can’t take this anymore! I’m going back home!” Barry Carter, the student council president, finally reached his breaking point and screamed.

The approaching army of the undead. The hectic nighttime escape. And as soon as they rushed into the church, which was supposed to be a safe haven, a flash of light caused a female student (along with her maid and pet) to disappear.

The string of abnormal events had finally snapped his mental stability. His outburst triggered a panic among the student council executives—pampered sons of nobles, high officials, and wealthy merchants—who began to lose control and started shouting as well.

“Are you kidding me? Do you know who I am? All of you should protect me!”
“This has to be a joke, right? There’s no way this is real. Whoever set this up, come out now!”
“Wh-Wh-What? They disappeared? Seriously? No way! Uwaaaah!”
“What the hell is this? What the hell is going on?!”

Teachers, instructors, and church staff desperately tried to calm them down, but once panic set in, it was hard to quell. People were yelling, trying to escape, or attempting to bribe the adventurer guards, turning the front yard of the St. Campbell Church into a chaotic scene.

They were in the front yard because as soon as Jill and her group had opened the church door and entered, the floorboards and the chairs and desks lining the sides had all disappeared, deterring anyone else from following them inside.

The student council executives, who should have taken the lead in calming the chaos, were the first to fall apart. As a result, the general members and students didn’t know what to do and wandered around in confusion.

“Hmm, this is bad.”
“Indeed.”

Princess Viola and Princess Lieselotte furrowed their brows at the chaotic situation, where not only the student council members but also the teachers and church officials were becoming increasingly unruly.

Incidentally, Barry, the student council executive committee chairman who first incited the chaos, was muttering to himself while hugging his knees:

“…It’s not my fault, it’s not my fault. I should have been able to invite the prince from the Graviol Empire and the princess from Cilento Central Nation, extolling the virtues of the Eunice Theocracy here. By the time this tedious research study ended, I could have secured my future within my family. That way, my life after graduating from the academy would be set; I could have arranged an adoption with a noble family of decent status, or used this achievement to secure a higher rank in the church. Maybe, just maybe, I could have even gotten close to Princess Lieselotte, and then I’d never have to worry about my livelihood again. Why did it have to turn out like this? Someone explain it to me…”

“That’s a disgusting thing to say,” sighed Lieselotte, resigning herself to his uselessness.

“Honestly, I think the male students should handle things themselves, but if they’re going to make a scene right in front of me, scaring my cute kittens, then we should probably remove the eyesore,” Viola suggested, soothing the frightened female students gathered around her with sweet words, a gentle smile, and casual touches, while casting a cold glance at the pathetic male students.

“Indeed. It is also the duty of those in leadership,” Lieselotte said, shaking her head in exasperation. She lightly brushed aside her luxurious ringlets, stood tall, and confidently walked to the center of the front yard.

Her royal demeanor seemed to part the crowd naturally, forming a straight path for her.

Watching her back, Daniel and Elias nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, in times of crisis, it’s the girls who you can really count on, right?”
“Absolutely. Even in the same situation, I could never manage that.”

Lieselotte, hearing this, turned around with an exasperated look and scolded them.

“Don’t you two have any intention of being useful? At least help search for Jill!”

The two boys then glanced at Luke and Cestlavie, who were on all fours, desperately searching for clues about the missing Jill at the entrance of the church.

♦♢♦

“Have you found any clues…anything at all?”

Luke, who was examining the perfectly circular hole in the floor as if it had been scooped out with a spoon, called out to Cestlavie, who was investigating the opposite side in a similar manner.

“Nothing… but there are traces of unusual mana. Judging by the remnants evenly distributed along this circle, it’s reasonable to assume that there was an installed magic circle here, likely a trap designed to forcibly teleport anyone who stepped into it.”
“A trap?”

Luke glanced at the priests and nuns of the church who were watching their actions.

“No, no way! There’s no way something like that could be set up in the church.”
“If something like that had been here, it would have caused an uproar long ago!”

They all shook their heads in denial.

“It was probably not a constantly active type, but one that activated under specific conditions. Either that, or, although unlikely, it might have been a timed trap that they happened to get caught in.”

Cestlavie, still looking grumpy, raised his head and gave Luke an appraising look.

“Let me ask you something. Does she—Jill—have any unique traits that others don’t? I know she uses magic. But if that were all, many members of the church would fit the criteria, yet nothing like this has ever happened before. There must be another factor.”

“……” Extraordinary magical power, the ability to manipulate multiple elements, rare healing magic capable of purification, spirit magic, a familiar equivalent to an SS-class magical beast, a citizenship card from the Super Empire—there were too many factors to count.

“You won’t answer it lightly, do you? …then let me rephrase my question. This church is related to Lady Clara, as you know. And the anomaly happened right here. So, can I assume that she has something to do with Lady Clara?”

“――!” Luke, who had steeled himself to some extent, was still visibly shaken by the direct question.



 

Ragweed Princess Chapter 91 (Part 1)

New Chapter!

New chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 91-1 «

Ragweed Princess Chapter 90 (Part 2)

New Chapter!

New chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 90-2 «

The Mysterious Dungeon and Summoning the Helper (Part 2)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

Given that, it seems like my fate is to always follow a muscle-brained approach, even after I’ve reincarnated.

“Let’s see what’s ahead and decide on our course of action based on that. Vier, stay at your current size. Eren, it’s probably best if you have a weapon too, just in case.”

“Oh, in that case, I’d prefer a spear! As a maid, it’s important to have skills in indoor combat. Back when I was at the estate of Viscountess Brandmüller, the head housekeeper, Beatrice, taught me how to fight indoors using a mop.”
“…I didn’t realize there was such a thing.”

Maids have skills that far exceed my expectations, huh? Feeling a bit unnerved, I began checking through the stored supplies (not by physically taking them out, but by sensing them with mana) to find the desired spear and any other items that might be useful for defense.

—Hmm, I should probably give her a knife in addition to the spear. Light leather armor should be fine, though it might hinder movement if she’s not used to it. Chainmail would be too heavy.

While I was deliberating, my magical sense brushed against something that had been lying in a corner.

—Oh, I almost forgot about this. It’s been so long that I completely forgot it was there…

Honestly, I’m not too thrilled about this, but we can’t afford to be picky right now. Holding back our resources could lead to disaster, and most importantly, I need to protect Eren.

“ …I suppose there’s no better time than now.”

Shaking off my hesitation, I retrieved a somewhat smallish spear and the item I had been reluctant to use from my storage.

First, I handed Eren the spear and a hunting knife. Eren took the spear and tested its balance—surprisingly adept movements for a maid—and then curiously peered at the strange box I had placed on the floor.

“Lady Jill, what is that?”
“It’s a magic tool given to me by Bartholomew for emergencies.”

As I placed my hand on the lid of the skull-knight-shaped box, I tried my best to keep my voice from sounding too exasperated. I could already imagine the effects it would have when used, and it gave me a slight headache.

“Wow, so that’s what it is.”

Compared to Eren who seemed genuinely impressed, I must have been tainted by too many of life’s harsh realities.

I couldn’t help but let out a small complaint, feeling a bit self-critical.

“Ah… I wish Eren were my real sister.”
“Hæh?”

I barely remembered my real brothers, who saw me as an enemy since we were all competitors for the family inheritance. My sisters, too, either ignored me or despised me since “younger sister shouldn’t be better than her elders” …Then again, my recently reunited younger sister is adorable, though.

As these pointless thoughts crossed my mind, I opened the lid of the box. And then—.

“Fuhahahahahahaha!!! Hear ye, all who are far away, and those who are near, come and see! I am Bartholomew, a renowned palace knight of the Crimson Empire, whose glory illuminates the vastness of the heavens and earth! Ah, there stands Lady Jill, Lady Eren, and Vier! It has been some time since we last met. Given that you have used the magic item I entrusted to you, you must be in dire straits. However, now that I am here, leave everything to me! Rest assured, as if you were on a great ship!”

A magical circle of light emerged from the box, shining so brightly that I couldn’t open my eyes. In the next instant, a colossal undead knight over two meters tall, clad in black, ultra-heavy armor resembling a solid iron plate, stood towering before us.

The giant halberd he wielded with a powerful swing effortlessly shattered the rock ceiling.

“Oh—”
““Oh??””
“…That’s collapsing alright.”

Cracks radiated from the point of impact, and bits of rock began to fall.

“—Run!!”

At the last moment, Vier grabbed Eren and me in her mouth and dashed toward the exit. Just as we reached it, the ceiling collapsed behind us, burying Bartholomew under a pile of rocks that filled the small room.

♦♢♦

The adventurer group Steel Wagon had found themselves in a stalemate against the mysterious undead attackers.

Their former comrades-turned-undead had been immobilized, and their mage had determined through various trials that fire magic was the most effective against them.

After this discovery, things progressed quickly.

Centering their strategy around the mage, they prepared fire arrows and oil jars. Although small fires broke out, they managed to prevent a larger conflagration, thanks in part to the nearby lake, which provided ample water for quick extinguishing. One by one, they managed to take down the human undead. However, the issue lay with the meran-aries, each one as huge as a bull.

Without a mage capable of a large enough fire spell to burn them down in one go, they had to stop its movements and continuously hack at them, dismantling them piece by piece.

During this painstaking process, a mysterious large ogre named Gus, wearing a strange mask, began to rampage. Moreover, whenever he found the body of a fallen Steel Wagon member, he would crouch down and insert something almond-shaped into the body.

“What is that…? A seed?” murmured a cat beastkin, whose night vision had caught the odd action.

Hearing this, Orlando, who was leading the group, suddenly focused on the corpses of their fallen comrades. He noticed a faint tremor, as if something was moving inside the bodies. The next moment, those corpses began to slowly rise, moving like marionettes being pulled by invisible strings.

“Damn it! So that’s the trick up their sleeve!”

Orlando ground his teeth in frustration.

“Move the wounded and the bodies quickly! We can’t let them multiply like rabbits. Our primary target is still Gus. If it’s the same trick, we might be able to handle it by burning it as well…”

But unlike the undead, Gus moved swiftly and had an uncanny ability to recover.

“We have to stop its movements, no matter what.”

Resolving that they might have to go down fighting melee, Orlando and his team began to close the encirclement.

Just then, the ogre Gus suddenly looked up and spoke to no one in particular.

“……yEs, MaSteR. aS YoU WIsh.”

He then fixed his gaze over the adventurers’ heads at a specific point and, with incredible jumping power, broke through the encirclement and fled in a straight line.

“He’s heading… No! He’s heading towards the church where the students took refuge!”

Orlando and his team tried to pursue, but they were blocked by the remaining seven or eight undead meran-arieses and their newly reanimated comrades.

“Damn it! Even if we defeat these, if any harm comes to the students or the VIPs, the escort mission is a failure. We need only a minimal force here; the rest of you, pursue them immediately. Hurry!”

Orlando’s desperate shout echoed through the night forest.


Author’s Note:

I don’t think anyone is worried about Bartholomew’s safety.
I looked up how many liters a Western wooden barrel holds, but I couldn’t find anything. If it’s the same as a modern drum (200 liters), it’s 600 liters.
A person needs 2 liters of water per day, so 6 liters x 3 would last 100 days, so it seems like there’s plenty of leeway.

Update 10/24: Many people have given me their opinions and suggestions. Apparently, 1 gallon is about 160 liters, which is almost the same as a modern drum. Thank you everyone.



 

Ragweed Princess Chapter 90 (Part 1)

New Chapter!

New Chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 90-1 «

The Mysterious Dungeon and Summoning the Helper (Part 1)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

Pieces of plaster, wood chips, and dust drifted down.

“Ouch… If it had been any higher, I might have been seriously injured.”

I brushed away the broken wooden pieces that had once been the wooden floor and slowly sat up.

“Woof! (Master, are you okay?)”

The soft cushion I had felt under me turned out to be Vier, the Sirius, who had grown to the size of a bull and cushioned my fall.

“Thank you, Vier. Is Eren okay?”
“Woof!”

Vier barked proudly and rose, revealing Eren, who had been guarded by the wolf’s protective stance. Eren groaned softly, “Ugh… where are we?” as she opened her eyes.

“Are you alright, Eren? Any injuries or pain?”

I asked while preparing to use healing magic. Eren sat up lightly, brushed off the dirt from her clothes, patted her body to check for injuries, and nodded, “I’m fine,” before standing up energetically as usual.

From the way she moved, she seemed uninjured, and she wasn’t unconsciously protecting any part of her body, so she was probably okay.

“Still, just to be safe… 「I shall heal thee, of thy wounds」” A soft golden light enveloped Eren from the tip of my magic staff. “「Heal」”

Even if there were no visible injuries, there could be internal damage, so I healed her just in case.

Then I took another look at our surroundings. Judging by the scattered square boards and pieces of broken tables or chairs, it seemed like a two-meter-by-two-meter section of the floor had collapsed. There wasn’t much debris like stones or dirt from the foundation below.

Honestly, I couldn’t fully grasp the situation immediately. Based on my memory, it seemed that right after Eren, Vier, and I passed through the entrance of Saint Campbell Church, the floor suddenly gave way beneath us. I felt a momentary sensation of floating before we landed here.

— Was it my weight that caused this?! Did I break the church floor with my weight?!

We were only stepping on the floor just inside the main entrance, which many people pass through daily, and yet it broke under us — how heavy am I? Could I have gained weight without noticing?

As I thought about it, cold sweat started dripping from my forehead.

Though I was quietly breaking down, Eren’s question brought me back to my senses. “—This isn’t under the church floor, is it? Where are we…?”

I regained some composure and replied, “…It seems like the floor was designed to give way from the start.”

Looking up, all I saw was a solid rock ceiling with no visible trapdoor or mechanism. If there was a trap, it must have been magical, which would be beyond my ability to detect.

“Lady Jill, what is this place?”

Eren, having calmed down, looked around with a wary expression and moved closer to me. Her lack of panic, despite the eerie surroundings, was likely due to her naturally positive nature and the reassurance that she wasn’t alone.

“It doesn’t seem like we simply fell into a pitfall. Most likely, we were forcefully transported here by some kind of teleportation magic.”

From what I can see, we are in a completely enclosed space about three mertes high and five mertes wide. The walls are embedded with glowing stones at regular intervals — phosphorescent rocks that react to ambient magic and are commonly seen in underground labyrinths. Thanks to these stones, we have some visibility.

However, unless you are a beastman accustomed to darkness, it’s hard to see everything clearly. Being in an unfamiliar place surrounded by shadows naturally makes one feel uneasy.

“Light, illuminate my path.” With that, I raised my magic staff again to create some illumination. “「Light 」.”

Since creating a strong light suddenly wouldn’t be kind to the eyes, I gradually increased the brightness until it lit up every corner of the room. Then, I detached the light from my staff and let it float above my head. This way, we can see while moving.

“…This isn’t a natural cave. It looks like it was dug by someone.”

Under the bright light, I could see the smooth, carved surfaces of the cave walls, unlike the irregular shapes of stalactites or lava tubes. The ground was also level, making it easy to walk. Unfortunately, there were no teleportation magic circles in sight. It seems we were caught in a one-way teleportation trap.

“What does this mean?” Eren tilted her head.

“In simple terms, we were caught in a teleportation trap set by someone and forcibly transported to this unknown location for some unknown purpose. The situation is fairly straightforward, except for the unknowns: who did this, why, and where we are.”

Yes, it’s an annoyingly straightforward situation.

“What should we do now?”

Eren’s next question had me pondering for about five seconds. Ideally, we should stay put and wait for a rescue. However, given that quite some time has passed without anyone coming, it seems likely that the trap was a single-use, consumable type. Alternatively, those on the other side might not have the manpower to spare for a rescue — though knowing Luke, he’d probably jump in after us without thinking. They might be waiting until it’s safe to come after us. Worst case scenario, they decided to abandon us then and there.

Luckily, thanks to my Storage magic art, we have enough food and supplies to last through a winter if we ration them carefully. While we have plenty of food, we might run short on water eventually (we only have about three barrels), so we can’t stay holed up here indefinitely.

I directed my gaze to the one passage leading out of this small room, a horizontal tunnel just over two meters high that I noticed when I first lit the room.

The safe option would be to stay put. But there’s no guarantee that staying here is safe, or how long we’d have to wait. Considering that, it might be better to take some risks to understand our current situation.

Well, to be honest, I might just prefer taking action over staying defensive. As my martial arts mentor used to say:

“How to defend? Forget it. Attack before you need to defend. Martial art is an art of self-defense? That’s just a pretext. Who learns martial arts to become graceful?”



 

Ragweed Princess Chapter 89 (Part 2)

New Chapter!

New chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 89-2 «

The Doors of Destiny and the Sealing Magic Formation (Part 2)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

—Eh…what is this, a prank?!

Thinking this, I glanced around. But all the students, teachers, bodyguard adventurers, and even the clergy who had been tense just moments ago were now watching us with amused expressions.

“It’s a love triangle, a real showdown,” someone muttered.
“If you think logically, she’d choose that handsome guy over there, right?”
“Nah, women are drawn to men with a dangerous aura.”
“Oh, Saintess, please let this love come true,” another person prayed.
“No way, one of them is going to cry,” someone else remarked.
“How about a reverse harem?”
“Alright, let’s bet on it.”
“I’m putting two silver coins on the handsome guy,” one said.
“Me too,” another echoed.
“I’ll bet three silver coins on the guy with black hair.”

Are they seriously starting a betting pool over this…? Has the situation been misunderstood as some sort of romantic entanglement?!

No, no, this can’t be happening! We’re talking about me here! Little ‘ol me! The last person who’d ever be involved in such romantic events, the most unremarkable, random Jane! Everyone must be gravely mistaken! Luke, Cestlavie, exhaustion must’ve gotten to you two…

With these thoughts, I looked at them both with what I hoped was a compassionate gaze, like a saint, and yet that only tightened the grip on my hands.

Well, that just backfired…

At this point, would it be acceptable to break free and throw them off? Though, in the martial art I learned, throwing and then locking and breaking joints is a single set, so I’m not confident I can hold back.

“Who are you choosing, Jill?!”
“Which one of us is it, Jill?!”

Luke and Cestalvie urgently demanded an answer from me, who was on the verge of escaping reality. I sighed as I looked somewhat resentfully at the church door towering over the heads of the two male students.

They say the church doors are always open for lost sheep, but right now, they look like the heavy doors of destiny to me. I even feel a slight wave of malice from them.

“Fine… I understand. Could you both please let go of my hands?” Resolving myself, I asked them, and after a brief hesitation, they let go of my hands simultaneously.

With the two of them silently demanding an answer with their eyes, I sighed again. Surely, this isn’t just my misunderstanding, right…? The unexpected situation of being liked by two guys is making my stomach hurt. However, this is not the time to dawdle. We need to fortify our defenses or evacuate quickly.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward. Would it be the handsome imperial prince or the prodigy from the commoners? The tension in the air was like that of watching the climax of a heroic tale.

“Alright, let’s go, Eren, Vier. Don’t fall behind.” Without hesitation, I took Eren’s hand and picked up Vier at my feet, quickly passing through the church doors.1

“Yes, Lady Jill!”
“Woof!”

Eren looked unusually happy, and Vier wagged her tail as we hurried inside. The crowd fell silent in astonishment—except for Lieselotte, who burst into laughter, and Viola, who smirked.

‘Wha… What the heck is that—!!!’

In the next moment, a chorus of screams erupted.

It seemed like there were some loud boos chasing after us from behind, but I didn’t care. I, the one at the center of this sudden battlefield of love, chose a tactical retreat.

♦♢♦

—She’s come…!

No phrase like “long-awaited” could truly capture the depth of his soul’s hunger, the craving so intense it seemed to bleed, awaiting this moment. The being that had entered his domain finally triggered his eruption into mad, triumphant laughter.

Then, summoning the remnants of his strength, he unleashed a wave of magical power that shook the enclosed space.

The seal placed by that woman was infuriatingly strong, almost impossible to break from within. However, it was more susceptible to interference from the outside. His former minions, followers, and even the foolish ones who sought to exploit his power had all tried to break the seal. But it was “relative” by his and his adversary’s standards, and no one had yet appeared who could shatter or destroy the seal.

Perhaps no one ever would. But if his theory was correct, the method to break this seal was remarkably simple and required only a tiny “……” to suffice.

Yet, there was little he could do from inside the seal.

Having mastered all known magical arts and transcended the limits of mortal life, admitting his lack of power was a torment worse than the fires of hell. But he had to face the facts.

Even in his sealed state, he wasn’t completely powerless. While he couldn’t directly interfere, the ripples of his magical power subtly resonated with the magical particles in the atmosphere, spreading thinly but widely.

There was a barrier to conceal and block this, but occasionally, someone would sense the anomaly, leading to this place being treated as a special holy site—a ludicrous idea. He recalled how, a few years or decades ago, someone whose magical wavelength matched his had briefly communicated with him and mentioned this. It was laughable.

That person couldn’t break the seal either, but maybe they had inadvertently helped lure that woman back to this place.

Thinking this, he glanced upwards at the darkness above.

Fortunately, tonight was a full moon, the time when a monster’s internal magical power is most active.

Would they ever step into his domain again? There was no guarantee he’d still exist. For the stars to align on such a unique opportunity—

For the first time in his life, he felt an urge to offer gratitude even to the being he always spat on, cursed, and loathed—’God.’ He let out a long, mad laugh filled with insanity.


Author’s Note:

Just to be clear, this is not a hint that Jill and Eren will have that kind of relationship in the future.2

Translator’s note:

Yuri ship is sinking! I repeat, Yuri ship is sinking!



 

Ragweed Princess Chapter 89 (Part 1)

New Chapter!

New Chapter!

Click the Link to Start Reading:
» Chapter 89-1 «

The Doors of Destiny and the Sealing Magic Formation (Part 1)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

“Ah ! Valère, chacun tient les mêmes discours ! Tous les hommes sont semblables par les paroles ; et ce n’est que les actions qui les découvrent différents.”
— “L’Avare (Acte 1, Scène 1),” Molière, 1668

“Ah! Valere, all men say the same thing; all men are alike in their words; their actions only show the difference that exists between them.”
— “The Miser (Act 1, Scene 1),” Molière, 1668

♦♢♦

Now, here’s a question: In front of you is a sturdy door. It’s an ordinary door; in fact, it is neither locked nor magically protected. But what if there was a sign hanging there saying “Do not open”? Would you be able to open it without hesitation?

—This is not a physical issue but a psychological one.

I recall a story from a foreign land where an academic expedition tried to enter a sacred mountain worshipped by a local tribe. The villagers, unwilling participants, were forcibly taken along. The moment they crossed the ‘barrier’ separating the village from the mountain (which was merely a line drawn with stones), the villagers fainted from shock. This disturbing tale, perhaps from a ‘previous life,’ illustrates how significant a psychological taboo can be.

With such thoughts in mind, we were led by the teachers and adventurers along a dimly lit night path to minimize visibility. After about thirty minutes, we arrived at the grounds of the ‘Saint Campbell Church,’ owned by the Saintess Church.

“Welcome. You are safe now. This place is a sacred ground consecrated by Saintess Snow and the Shrine Maiden Princess Clara. The impure cannot approach here. You must be tired. We’ve prepared warm drinks, so please relax and feel at ease.”

The warm smiles and words of the monks and nuns who welcomed us eased the tension of the group. Some male students and attendants collapsed to the ground, while some female students and maids began to cry in relief.

While the kind-faced church members assisted those inside, I noticed a few stern-faced, armed priests hurrying out in shifts.

“Exorcists. They’re probably going to reinforce the barriers around the church, but unlike warrior priests, they’re not really specialists in combat, so don’t expect too much,” Cestlavie explained, noticing my gaze. I appreciated his clear explanation.

“So, we’re essentially in a defensive stance, and if something happens, we’ll have to hold out with the current forces…” A quick look around revealed about twenty adventurers as guards, fewer than ten exorcists, and around ten instructors. With this number of people, protecting fifty students and their associates, plus the non-combatants within the church, seemed a bit uncertain. “It might be wise to inform them beforehand that we can assist if necessary,” I suggested.

Cestlavie, who had fought alongside me before, nodded in agreement. Unlike the protagonists in stories who heroically leap into battle alone to save their allies, in reality, performing solo actions without prior coordination could hinder rather than help.

I don’t know who’s holding the command here, be it the guards, academy instructors, or church officials — However, since both Cestlavie and I are registered adventurers with adventurer IDs, it wouldn’t hurt to report our availability as usable forces.

Just as I was about to walk with Cestlavie to do so, someone grabbed my right wrist and pulled me back.

“Wait a moment! Jill, are you really planning to head towards danger? I’m against it,” Luke said, grabbing my hand and planting his feet firmly as if he’d never let me go.

…Well, I could easily break free from his grip, but still…

“You’re being too reckless. While your desire to help others and your belief that those with the ability should stand on the front lines is commendable, you disregard your own safety and life too much! There are people who care deeply about you and worry for you… you should value yourself more.”

I expected him to oppose from a chivalrous perspective of “protecting weak women,” but this unexpected reprimand made me close my mouth in silence.

Looking over, I saw Eren watching me with pleading eyes.

If he had opposed me head-on, I could have argued back, but being pointed out my flaws and appealing emotionally made it difficult to respond. When did Luke become so skilled in such tactics? Terrifying…

“That’s not quite right,” said Cestlavie, grabbing my other hand and pulling. “Jill isn’t your possession. Do you think keeping her locked away will keep her safe? If you believe it’s okay for capable people to sit idly by in a crisis, then you’re deluding yourself.”

Those words made Luke’s eyes, which usually retained a calm demeanor even when serious, turn cold and sharp.

“…I can’t ignore that. So, do you think you can take responsibility if something happens to Jill? Do you really think you’re qualified to do that?”
“One’s way of life is their own decision. It’s not something others should meddle with, Young Master.”
“I don’t care if you throw your life away for some heroic sentiment, but don’t lump Jill in with you.”

Luke and Cestlavie were at a standoff, each holding one of my hands and pulling in opposite directions. What is this, some kind of Solomon’s Judgment situation?

“Well, aren’t you popular, Jill,” chimed Lieselotte, who had followed a bit behind, with a tone that was half amused. “Given the setting, it looks like two rivals fighting over the bride at a wedding.”

Realizing it, we had somehow moved to the church’s door.

“As I mentioned earlier, this church is famous for matchmaking. It’s also known as the ‘Church of Reminiscence.’ They say that couples who pass through its doors together will end up together. So, which one will you take by the hand and walk through?”
“――!?”

I was speechless at her teasing, but then I noticed that Luke and Cestlavie had both stopped arguing. They exchanged wary glances, then looked at me with an expectant gaze.



 

The Ogre of the Legends and the Church from the Legend (Part 2)

Leave a comment



Author: Sasaki Ichiro Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mab English Source: Re:Library
Editor(s): Silva

I changed from my one-piece room wear to a black dress, put on black boots, donned a wide-brimmed hat with a rose corsage, and finally draped myself in a new robe adjusted to my recent height, completing my preparations.

As a precaution, I retrieved my silver magic wand from the Close art and took it in hand.

“Alright. I’m ready,” I nodded satisfactorily at the familiar weight in my hand.

Eren, who had been quickly packing her belongings, looked at me with concern and cautiously asked, “Um, Lady Jill, are you planning to fight alongside the guards?”

“No. For now, I don’t intend to actively join the fray,” I replied, bending down to stroke Vier, who was playing at my feet, while organizing my thoughts aloud. “Since we don’t know the full situation, acting independently could potentially hinder rather than help. I plan to stay with everyone else and assist them as needed.”

Upon hearing my words, Eren clasped her hands in front of her chest and let out a relieved sigh. “I see. With so many guards present, it should be alright, I suppose.”

“Yes,” I agreed, feeling like this conversation might be signaling something important, but I nodded along nonetheless.

Well, judging from what I saw during the day, they seem to be quite experienced in group combat, so they shouldn’t be at a disadvantage be it against night raiders or monsters. There seemed to be quite a number of magic users besides swordsmen, so there’s no particular need for a lone witch like me to join in. Besides, if I were to interfere here, it could disrupt their coordination, and it wouldn’t be honorable to intervene as an additional hand to the guards’ assigned duty—it would go against their sentiments and sense of duty.

So, deciding to focus solely on rear support this time, I walked with Eren and Vier down the corridor, following instructions towards the central foyer of the mansion.

Upon arrival, it seemed most of the students, faculty, and instructors were already gathered. It appeared we were among the last to assemble.

“Jill! Are you alright? I couldn’t see you and got worried,” exclaimed Luke, approaching with a sword at his hip and the mysterious winged cat draped over his shoulder.

Behind him were Daniel, and a bit behind them, both Cestlavie and Elias were also present.

“Yes, I’m fine. And I see that…you’re not doing so well?” I replied with concern. “Sir Daniel and Elias, are those injuries from the attack?”

Luke and Cestlavie seemed relatively safe, but both Marquis Daniel and Elias had scrapes and bruises on their faces and hands. What happened?!

“Oh, no, don’t worry. It’s just a scratch from falling from a high place… Nothing serious at all. I apologize for causing concern,” Daniel said, touching his cheek where the scratch was, looking awkwardly towards the northeast as he explained—or rather, seemed to be making excuses.

Luke gave him a cold stare and remarked in an oddly serious tone, “If Jill had been there, I’d have challenged you to a duel over this.”

Meanwhile, Elias was looking downcast, and even Cestlavie, who should have been able to heal such injuries, said, “Reap what you sow. Learn from this,” but did not offer any assistance.

As I glanced around, I noticed the student council members who had been looking down on the guards earlier were now behaving obediently, following the adventurers’ instructions like sheep. They, too, had bandages and gauze on their faces, hands, and legs.

…What on earth had happened?

And then, as I turned my head, instructions came from a staff member.

“Be prepared for anything. We will now guide you to a safe zone. We’ll move through the back roads to the Saint Campbell Church at the rear of this mansion, and collaborate with the clergy there. The city’s defense forces stationed nearby will arrive shortly, so there’s no need to worry.”

Upon hearing these words, the students, who had been looking grim, seemed to regain some brightness.

I noticed Viola at the center of a group of girls, particularly one whose face had turned pale, soothing their anxiety with gentle whispers and a calming atmosphere.

Impressive. That’s the secret to winning over women with such skillful maneuvers.

Just as I admired this… huh?! I glanced around at the faces of the male students surrounding me, and felt perplexed all over again.

Somehow, it seemed like I was in the opposite position of Viola. No, rather, it felt like I was playing the role of a princess protected by knights…

Hmm, as I questioned my own purpose, Luke directed a sharp gaze towards the staff member who had given the instructions.

“That’s odd. If defense forces are coming from the city, wouldn’t it be safer to stay fortified in the inner rooms rather than evacuating through unfamiliar night paths to the church?”

Answering this question, Lieselotte approached with her entourage. “Well, Sir Lucas’ question is quite valid. I’ve heard through the grapevine that the enemy group consists of undead, manipulated by some vile necromancer. Hence, the plan is to evacuate to the church covered by a protective barrier engraved with holy seals.”

““““Undead!?””””
“Shh! Don’t raise your voice. It will only unsettle those around us. Anyway, dealing with unholy beings like that is best left to the clergy. Well, I doubt there’s a magician capable of ‘purification’ in this town, so we’ll have to manage with holy water and silver weapons to weaken them.”

In response to Lieselotte’s grumbling, Cestlavie nodded with a bitter expression and agreed, “Indeed.”

“Oh? Cestlavie, can you not use ‘purification’?” I asked.

He shook his head with a look of exasperation. “Of course not. Those who can use ‘purification’ are usually stylites or high-priestesses—old men and women. There’s no way I could use it, and I doubt I will be able to in the future.”

“Is that so?” I could use it, though — or so I was about to say, but Luke suddenly grabbed my hand. Startled, I looked up to find him peering into my face with a gaze so serious it was almost frightening.

‘Do not say that out loud!’ his eyes warned me, and I realized I had nearly said something careless. I quickly shut my mouth.

“Lady Jill, please don’t overexert yourself,” Eren said, her voice tinged with concern.

“…Yes, I’m fine. I understand,” I replied softly, feeling guilty for causing them to worry.

“Hmm?” Although it was a brief exchange, I hoped it went unnoticed. Lieselotte, however, narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at our joined hands, her lips curling into a smirk.

“Saint Campbell Church—I recall it being a memorable place where Lady Clara and the current Frontier Count Aulanthia once prayed together. Since then, it’s become a place where couples who visit are said to be destined to marry. Perhaps you should continue holding hands as you enter?”
““Eh?!””

We nearly toppled over at Lieselotte’s teasing words, delivered with a mischievous grin.

♦♢♦

Suddenly, the tide of battle turned, and the front lines fell into chaos, causing Orlando to feel a growing sense of urgency.

“Damn it! To be so easily outmaneuvered by a single ogre!!”

Initially, they had been effectively exterminating the undead. The dead, both human and beast, lacked proper judgment, allowing the heavy warriors with shields to restrict their movement and methodically eliminate them as planned.

With minimal losses on their side, Orlando was confident that it was only a matter of time before they completely wiped out the enemy. However, at that moment, a massive ogre burst out from the forest.

The ogre, wearing a strange mask, wielded a huge sickle with a two-meter blade. It struck the rear of their unsuspecting comrades, tore through the front lines, and even approached their main force.

Of course, it was outnumbered. Magic and arrows hit the ogre from a distance, causing it to stagger and be blown away repeatedly. Yet, in the next moment, it would rise again as if nothing had happened, unscathed.

Faced with this literally immortal monster, fear began to creep into the eyes of the once-bold adventurers.

“It’s a monster… It’s Gus the Immortal Ogre that appears from Lake Quartz on a full moon night…!”

A murmured exclamation spread rapidly among the troops, causing panic.

――This is bad. At this rate, we’ll suffer a total collapse.

Biting his lip, Orlando grabbed the spear he had stuck in the ground nearby.

“Even if it’s immortal, we can inflict damage! If we can immobilize it and burn it like the other undead, it won’t be able to resurrect. Those who are free, use spears or ropes! The rest, eliminate the smaller enemies! Let’s go!”

Responding to his rallying cry, the comrades who had been waiting near Orlando took up their long weapons and charged at the ogre.


Author’s Note:

Jill mastered purification at the age of 12, four years earlier than Clara. Normally, even those with the talent require 20 to 30 years of training, making the youngest existing healers who can use purification in their late 30s.

Because Clara was able to use it at 16, there were high hopes for her to pass on her lineage and produce even better priestesses and priests. However, she failed in that regard (she actually succeeded, but it remains a secret to the society).

Therefore, if Jill’s ability were to be discovered, there is a high possibility she would be treated as a child-bearing vessel.

Additionally, the “登塔者” (Stylites) mentioned in the story is a reference to “Simeon the Stylite.” It should be understood as a monastic saint who, after rigorous training, awakened to the power to heal people.