New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 123

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

It had been several weeks since Adelaide-senpai joined the party. During that time, we had been traversing the third and fourth floors, discussing which would yield greater profit. Travel time, drops, monster encounter rates, and lastly, experience points. As for experience, we still understood little. The only thing we knew was that defeating stronger monsters seemed to raise one’s level more quickly.

Nations were attempting various approaches, yet none succeeded. Perhaps, in the end, it would require someone capable of endlessly raising levels solo to remain on the first floor, recording every goblin defeated and submitting appraisals to derive the truth.

Thus, we decided to hold a strategy meeting in preparation for summer.

“Welcome~♪ Please, do come in!” (Muze)

“Muze, that was my line.” (Kouta)

After much consideration, we had decided to meet in my room.

There were several reasons. In discussing our future endeavors, there would inevitably be times when we needed to speak of equipment and skills. In a library or family restaurant, that would not do. Of course, the guild was out of the question.

Visiting someone’s home would trouble their family. Thus, my room had been chosen. It would have been preferable to have a larger space, but there was no helping it. Since Mira and the others studied Japanese on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the remaining days available were Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Saturdays and Sundays were precious days when we could enter the dungeon from morning, so those were avoided. Thus, we gathered on Thursday.

“Here, a cake. Let us all share it. I also bought water for Muze, so please drink to your heart’s content.” (Sofia)

“And here, tea.” (Mira)

“Fuooh!? Sofia, you are the best!! A whole case of Suntory! Today is a festival!! Kouta, this is acceptable, is it not!?” (Muze)

Muze was so excited by Sofia’s surprise that Mira’s words were completely lost. Still, Mira handed me the canister of tea, clearly meaning for me to serve it with the cake. Unfortunately, I possessed no elegant item such as a teapot.

“I shall do it. May I borrow the kitchen?” (Adelaide)

Adelaide-senpai offered to prepare the expensive tea. However, her touch was excessively familiar… indeed, sensual. Emilia’s frequent skinship was troublesome enough, though hers at least carried warmth and affection. Adelaide-senpai’s, however, bore a heady allure that was…

Meanwhile, Muze busily spread a vinyl sheet to prevent the floor from becoming wet.

“Sofia! Now, let us begin!!” (Muze)

She immediately began absorbing the first bottle. Whether it was two liters or 1.8, I did not know, but she sprayed only the faintest droplets around as she absorbed all of it. No matter how often I witnessed it, the sight was strange beyond words.

As for me, living alone meant I was forever short on cups, plates, and all else. I possessed not a single chair, so everyone sat upon the bed or the floor. For one living alone outside the city, the room was spacious enough, but with six people plus Muze, it was inevitably cramped.

The cake was well received by all except Mira and Sofia, who remained reserved. Muze, of course, was absorbed in her water.

“Now then, since everyone has their tea, let us begin the meeting!” (Mira)

Mira raised her cup and called the gathering to order. Everyone responded, though each held a different vessel. Haruka-kun had a soup bowl, while I myself drank from a rice bowl. Muze, after downing three bottles, seemed temporarily satisfied.

“First, let us begin with an assessment of our current situation!” (Mira)

Mira’s voice brimmed with vigor.

“We have all attained level four! To reach level four in such a short time is an achievement without precedent! Yet our leader Kouta has gone so far as to reach level six! I ask you, does the word restraint not exist in your dictionary!? Emilia’s level ten has a deadline of three years, yet you seek to reach it within one! Just how precious is Emilia to you!?” (Mira)

No, the truth is simply that I enjoy venturing into the dungeon. Emilia?

“…More precious than the world?” (Sofia)

“More precious than the world!!?” (Mira)

Have I erred?

Everyone was staring at me in astonishment. Even Mira’s eyes were wide with shock.

“Er, more precious than Earth itself?” (Kouta)

“More precious than Earth!!? …Haruka… I leave… the rest… to you…” (Mira)

Emilia blushed crimson, burying her face in her hands. Mira, gasping for breath, entrusted the meeting to Haruka-kun. Sofia and Adelaide-senpai offered words of blessing from either side, and Emilia seemed on the verge of tears.

“If possible, once everyone surpasses level five, I would like us to annihilate the Goblin Settlement.” (Kouta)

At my words, all eyes turned toward me once more, filled with astonishment.

“Kouta, that is–…” (Mira)

“For that purpose, I intend to play one of my trump cards.” (Kouta)

I deliberately spoke over Mira. It was discourteous, but I wished to convey my intent.

“Kouta-kun, could it be…?” (Adelaide)

“It is all right. I have already confirmed it. The only question is whether we can defeat that chieftain-like goblin.” (Kouta)

Once again, surprise filled the room, but of a different kind. The once-relaxed atmosphere grew taut with a tension so sharp it almost hurt. It was precisely this sort of tension I found most difficult to endure. I waited until the gravity of my words had sunk in, then continued slowly.

“…Our equipment is already in order.” (Kouta)

The others exchanged glances in confirmation.

“…Our skills are as complete as could be hoped.” (Kouta)

All eyes turned toward Haruka-kun and Adelaide-senpai. Both accepted this without flinching, their determination reaching even me. At that moment, I drew one deep breath. It was an act born of my weakness.

“…All that remains is for me to steel my resolve.” (Kouta)

Why do I hear no response?

Muze, looking frantic, pressed water upon me.

Ah… I have simply grown too tense…

And then I lost consciousness.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)