Volume 3 Chapter 2.1 (1/2)
Volume 3 Chapter 2.1
Translator: Kureha
Editor: Weasalopes
「So, what happened with you guys?」
「Nothin’ in particular, we’re jist separatin’ the crystals from the stones.」
「No, no, what I wanted to hear was what happened before that…」
The group was currently at Darl Branch of Igreos temple. Reuniting after they finished their jobs and filling in necessary paper works, they decided to have lunch (their meal was rice and seaweed bento. Although it was a stereotypical meal in Japan, in this universe, it was a very exotic mix of ingredients) that was a detail which Hiroshi failed to notice. Usually, Tatsuya would have made a common comedic gesture seen in Japan. However…
「whaddaya mean by before that?」
「Like where did that massive pile of stones came from, or why the newbies were looking up to you guys so much and so on.」
「Welp I guess lotta stuff happened…」
「Sensei, Haru-nee, where should we start explaining?」
「dunno,」
To Tatsuya and Makoto’s question, they started to discuss where they should start explaining. Not a long time has passed. However, so many things have happened in that short period of time that they had no idea where to start.
「… er whad happened again?」
「You’re kidding me.」
「Seriously, there was lots more happenin’ than what y’all saw. If we were reactin’ to somethin’ that was happenin’ in front of us, bam! ‘nother thing’s happens behind ya.」
「I guess it’s better to explain it in the order that it happened.」
「Even when ya say that, flow of the story aside, I don’t ‘member everythin’ that was goin’ on. Since I was focused on what was in front of me. 」
Apparently, a lot has happened. With Hiroshi, it was very likely that he didn’t even notice half the things which were going on since he was too focused on what was going on in front of him.
「Anyway, we want some time to sort through our thoughts so how about you guys go first?」
「Alright. Well, we don’t have much to explain anyway.」
「Yeah, you’re right. We were just hunting down ants than a swam of Rock Worms showed up on our way back. There were chariots nearby and one of them happened to have the priest and the priestess from the temple. The other one belonged to a travelling merchant on their way back from the sweltering tower. And that’s about it.」
「Hold up, Rock Worms as in…」
「That bothers you too Haruna?」
To Haruna and Makoto’s exchange, Hiroshi showed a confused look for a moment, then his face suddenly lit up. On the other hand, Mio could not tell what was wrong with that situation.
「Heya, Makoto-san, how many Rock Worms were in dat swarm?」
「I’d say around fifty. To be honest, if the knights weren’t holding back the worms, to begin with, we wouldn’t have been able to take them down.」
「Dat’s real strange.」
「Hiroshi-kun, you think so as well?」
「Ya.」
At this point, Mio started to understand what was wrong with the situation. However, as she didn’t know much about the monsters in this area, she wasn’t exactly sure what was wrong with the situation.
「Is it really that abnormal for Rock Worms to be in a large group?」
「Well, they certainly don’t make a colony of that size?」
「T’ would be inconvenient for em, ‘specially lookin’ at their size.」
To Mio’s question, Haruna double-checked the information with the other members; to which Hiroshi confirmed.
「I don’t know much either but I’m pretty sure it’s unusual.」
「Ye, if there’s more than two of em, the worms’ll eat each other til there’s only two left. Tis why ya only ever see young Rock Worms ‘round.」
「Is that so?」
「Tis true. Just think ‘bout it, these worms would’ve used up all the resources if they always formed colonies of that size. ‘Specially since the nutrients in soil ain’t well balances. It just ain’t practical for their survival.」
「I see, that makes a lot of sense…」
Everyone agreed to Hiroshi’s explanation. However, this situation was now more peculiar than the group has originally thought. In fact, it was at a point where the group saw it as some type of bad omen.
「By the way, Rock Worms have a real fine magic-based stone on em. How many did ya guys manage to bring back?」
「That’s the first thing you ask?」
「’T important」
「Well, I guess …」
As expected, the first thing Hiroshi asked was the materials. With a bitter smile, Tatsuya gave an honest answer. After hearing that they were only able to bring back three Rock Worms, Hiroshi started to mention things like how they still had time to go back. To begin with, there weren’t a lot of people who could properly take down Rock Worms. So, around about now, people would have taken them down enough so that they could clear out the road; leaving the pile of treasure on the side.
「Leaving aside the materials, you guys were involved in a temple related incident too, huh?」
「Well, something like a swarm of Rock Worms is probably aimed at people who are working for the temple.」
「When you say ‘too’ I’m guessing your drama had something to do with the temple as well? 」
「Well, I’m pretty sure they’re the cause.」
「What do you mean?」
To Haruna’s words, Tatsuya and Makoto could only frown in confusion. To their reaction, Hiroshi gave a tired-out smile. Hiroshi got so excited about the materials that he forgot how much of a hustle the incident was.
「Seriously, what happened?」
「I’ll explain from my perspective so Haruna-san and Mio, could ya back me up??」
「Okie dokie.」
「Sensei, please don’t go off track.」
「I’ll try.」
After giving out an uncertain answer, Hiroshi started to explain what has happened.
==
It was around the time when Tatsuya and Makoto were taking down Stone Ants.