New chapter of Ordinary Person is out (1/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 36

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

From the topic about Emilia’s chest having grown, we couldn’t quite break away, which was troublesome, when Mira called out.

“It would be better if it just perished…” (Mira)

Even though breathing seemed difficult, that was all she wanted to say. I tried to change the subject. Since Emilia probably felt Mira’s aura too, she should respond to this.

“By the way, did you see the news that Italy’s ‘Alexandro Rossi’ reached Lv 16?” (Kouta)

“I saw it, I saw it! But some reports still say Alexandro’s level is self-proclaimed!” (Mira)

“Yeah, Alexandro stubbornly refuses appraisal. But as an explorer, that’s understandable.” (Kouta)

“I totally agree. Just the level is one thing, but revealing stats and skills is impossible. The world is trying to forcibly secure holders of useful skills, even if it’s for research. It’s reckless. Japan’s highest official Lv holder, ‘Kamizumi Nobutsuna,’ is Lv 14, right?” (Mira)

“Yeah, that’s what the official announcement in Japan says. Though the name is obviously a pseudonym.” (Kouta)

“Really!?” (Emilia)

“Y-yeah, because it’s the name of a famous Japanese swordsman. The name is too old. I don’t think anyone with that name exists nowadays.” (Kouta)

I was surprised Emilia was surprised.

Well, it’s natural that foreigners wouldn’t be familiar. Maybe some know Oda Nobunaga or Tokugawa Ieyasu though.

“Of course. No matter how low Japan’s crisis awareness is, they keep personal info of high-level explorers secret. Kouta, sorry to keep you waiting. Sofia, are you ready?” (Mira)

“Yes, I’m fine now. Sorry to keep you two waiting!” (Sofia)

Finally, we could resume hunting… No, since I am surrounded by beautiful girls, I shouldn’t complain. If there is a god watching, though…

“‘Alexandro’ is the one who opened the rainbow-colored treasure chest, right?” (Sofia)

“Yeah, that’s the one. Some say he reached his current level because of that, others say he was originally a natural bodybuilder, and the performance was to gain sponsors through publicity.” (Mira)

As expected of Mira, she answered Sofia’s questions flawlessly and even had info I didn’t know.

What does “natural” mean here?

“If he can clear dungeon floors with a performance, that’s a kind of talent! He’s a genius!” (Sofia)

“Exactly. No need to waste time with fools who don’t understand. But probably they pretend to be foolish because they want to peek at his stats.” (Mira)

“Even that much… That’s sneaky!!” (Emilia)

Emilia stole my line.

“You get important information that way. There’s no reason not to try.” (Mira)

“Italian media are cooperative about dungeon research, but journalism is a profession with deep karma.” (Kouta)

Italy is a small country but the second largest dungeon-holding country after Japan. Because of that, they actively provide dungeons for various exploration experiments, receiving high praise worldwide.

For example, what happens if a dungeon is left alone? The answer is monsters overflow endlessly. This experiment was also conducted in Italy. By the way, the experiment has a continuation, monsters that come out get stronger and stronger. More precisely, when monsters from about the third floor appeared, the experiment was forced to stop urgently.

After that, no country took over the experiment. From this, it is now the established theory that monsters must be regularly hunted inside the dungeon.

“Hey? That’s the ‘Goblin Knife’ Emilia has, right?” (Kouta)

I had noticed Emilia’s equipment had gotten slightly better. But I didn’t expect her to have even gotten a new weapon.

“You noticed, Kouta!!” (Emilia)

Well, of course I noticed when you pulled out a knife. But since Emilia looked so happy, I decided to refrain from making a rude comment.

“Did you get something good?” (Kouta)

I attacked with a realistic question.

This shouldn’t be far off!

“No! The government invested and bought it for me!” (Emilia)

The government… investment? What’s that?

I looked at Sofia and Mira, but they seemed calm. Apparently, I was the only one who didn’t understand.

“It’s an investment in individuals. It’s not common in Japan, but it’s been done for a long time in Europe and America.” (Mira)

“I-is that so?” (Kouta)

“What Emilia received is close to a student loan but completely different from Japan’s. Don’t misunderstand that.” (Mira)

There was a killing intent in Mira’s gaze. But more importantly, I didn’t understand student loans. So, I just nodded.

“Y-yeah.” (Kouta)

“Student loans are loans, investments made to individuals, earning interest. But some companies offer full exemption in exchange for several years of work, securing talented human resources.” (Mira)

“So, tuition is free?” (Kouta)

“Not just tuition. It’s different from Japan. The entire amount is exempted, the full amount borrowed.” (Mira)

Seriously? The world is amazing…

“Human resource education costs money, and securing talent is worth that much.”

I looked at Emilia involuntarily.

On the surface, she is perfect! But I feel the inside doesn’t quite match.

“Our country, Germany, is focusing on cultivating excellent explorers.” (Mira)

Mira’s words sent a chill down my spine. At this age, she was speaking with the determination to bear the country’s weight. But Mira continued with some difficulty.

“What Emilia got involved with is an explorer’s loan.” (Mira)

…? With Emilia, if it were a student loan, it would be debt hell. The explorer loan is… No, isn’t it the same? Emilia is better suited as an explorer. But if she borrows money, she has to pay it back. Of course.

“There are two kinds for explorers, too… both three years, but one is 1 million yen, the other 5 million.” (Mira)

One million yen in three years!? Monthly… about 30,000 yen? But that means she has to pay it back…

“Emilia chose the 5 million.” (Mira)

My head felt like it was going to explode.

The exchange rate between euro and yen fluctuates. Right now, the yen is super strong, at an all-time high. That’s because of dungeon-sourced items. So, if Emilia earns money in Japan, repayment is fast. But when she returns home…

“Seems Kouta understands the exchange rate, Emilia here didn’t understand at all.” (Mira)

Ah, Mira stopped Emilia as a friend. But Emilia didn’t stop.

“But she has a loophole. Germany wants high-level explorers. So, depending on the level reached, they will exempt the full amount. They prepared bait…” (Mira)

Is it okay for a country to do this to its own citizens? Policies that pressure and corner citizens… are they acceptable? Not yet! Germany doesn’t even have dungeons yet…

But I can understand. The feelings and thoughts of the person who made this. For now, peace is maintained, but nobody knows what will happen with dungeons in the future. So, for the sake of their country, they prepare now.

If I’m right, the creator of this has accepted that they will take the blame. To protect their beloved country’s future.

“Emilia has to reach Lv 10 within three years.” (Mira)

Five years to reach Lv 16, the pinnacle of humanity!? In Japan, it’s 14! Leveling up gets harder the higher you go, it’s game mechanics! But still…!!

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)