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

 

 

Chapter 149

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

(POV switch – Mira)

Is it still continuing?

While glaring at Adelaide’s chest, which was still trembling, I suddenly realized something.

Kouta said he would give it either to me or to Adelaide. That is strange. Including Kouta, there are four of us who require MP: myself, Adelaide, Kouta, and Haruka. If we are thinking about party stability and overall strength, it should be either Kouta or Haruka who consumed it. Yet…

Ah, I see. He wants to draw attention to the two of us, Adelaide and me, as magic users while concealing Haruka’s presence. He put on an act, even preparing props for the occasion, all to protect him through to the end.

Kouta, you really are something else.

While Adelaide, nearly in tears, was comforted by Kouta, the negotiations resumed. The most surprised at this restart was likely her father’s side.

“This will be the final piece of information for today.” (Kouta)

With a sly grin, Kouta urged Adelaide to proceed. Following his lead, Adelaide placed the “Skeletal Staff” on the table. The intelligence officers and soldiers were beside themselves with excitement.

At her father’s signal, all the stacks of bills that had been left behind were moved before Adelaide. It was the moment when her father was made to pay out every last coin he had prepared for information.

“…This ‘Direct Pain’, what exactly is it?” (Officer)

“This magic causes pain as though countless needles were piercing every part of the body. If you wish, I can let you experience it.” (Kouta)

At that, she quickly shook my head.

After all, at Kouta’s suggestion, we had already experienced it, myself, Kouta, Emilia, and Haruka. It was a magic that inflicted needle-like pain from the top of the head to the tips of the fingers, every part of the body without exception. The eyes, tongue, throat, even the groin. The agony was so great that time itself seemed to lose meaning.

Behind me, Emilia was also shaking her head desperately. Haruka was probably doing the same.
There was no need to make anyone else endure that kind of torment.

“I shall decline.” (Officer)

“Is that so? What a pity.” (Kouta)

He said it with such genuine disappointment that it was terrifying. In his stead, I explained the pain caused by the magic.

“Could it be… the ‘Nightmare of Pain’?” (Officer)

“What is that?” (Kouta)

I had never heard of it either. It seemed to have slipped out unintentionally from the information officer.

“Please, off the record. It’s a phrase that appears several times in the reports of a nation’s army when they once challenged a ‘Goblin Settlement’. They called it ‘the Nightmare of Pain’.” (Officer)

That army had planned to annihilate the goblins with overwhelming numbers. At first, everything went well until they entered the settlement. Suddenly, they were struck by unbearable pain, and their soldiers were slaughtered one after another. Other reports mentioned phrases like ‘Hell of Needles’. From then on, it became common sense either to obliterate any goblin settlement with overwhelming firepower or to avoid it entirely.

I felt as though I had just learned why so many nations now left those places untouched. That kind of truth was never circulated.

The ‘Goblin King’ must have used that magic.

“Ah, I see. That explains it. Oh, do you want this?” (Kouta)

Kouta, looking oddly satisfied, grabbed a random stack of bills from the pile in front of Adelaide and offered it to the information officer.

“N-no, that will not be necessary…” (Officer)

He was trying to pay the information fee back. That meant Kouta saw real value in what had just been revealed.

“If you do not mind, could you tell me what you realized?” (Officer)

The officer was completely drawn into Kouta’s pace.

“Hm? That’s all you want to know?” (Kouta)

“Yes!” (Officer)

“It’s simple, really. You know the ‘Goblin King’s Sword’ that was reported earlier?” (Kouta)

“Yes, I’m aware of it!” (Officer)

I remembered that too. Its attack power was not disclosed, but it was known to possess a self-buff skill. It had caused quite a stir when it was announced.

“I just realized that the items dropped by the ‘Goblin King’ are usable by the ‘Goblin King’ himself. I always wondered why it was so strong when we fought it. Didn’t you think the same, Haruka?” (Kouta)

“Yes, compared to other monsters, it was overwhelmingly powerful!” (Haruka)

Haruka agreed immediately.

“Besides its self-buff, perhaps it also possesses good armor.” (Kouta)

“Ah! That explains how tough it was!” (Haruka)

Only the two who had fought the ‘Goblin King’ at the front lines could truly understand that. Both seemed convinced. It was indeed the truth.

“It has been a profitable transaction. Thank you very much.” (Kouta)

“No, thank you as well!” (Luca)

Kouta reached out and shook hands with Luca, the intelligence officer.

Ordinarily, it would be proper for the ambassador to go first, but knowing Kouta, he probably did it on purpose.

After exchanging a handshake with her father too, Kouta stuffed the stacks of cash into a plastic bag and began to leave the room. We followed, exasperated.

Both sides had lowered their guard now that the deal was done.

“Oh, right! You may already know, but the Rainbow-Colored Treasure Chest does exist. I confirmed it myself. I’ll sell you that information someday too. Thank you very much for today!” (Kouta)

Leaving those words behind, Kouta swiftly exited the room.

…What are you, a monster?

 

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