Volume 3 Chapter 9.1 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 9.1

Translator: Reflet

Editor: Weasalopes

「Became more of a long haul than we initially thought, eh?」

「Yeah, I never thought we’d be stayin’ the night right after leavin’ the ruins.」

This was the fourth day since their excursion into the desert, slightly after 10. Everyone breathed sighs of relief upon finally being able to see the entrance to Darl. They could see the vast barley fields as they got closer, which felt oddly comforting.

「It seems that we need to check in at the temple once we get back.」

「Big Sis, the only future I see for us is admonishment……」

「Technically speaking, we have contacted them daily, and the time spent away wasn’t really something we were responsible for, so I don’t think they’ll get angry at us……」

「I get the feeling that we’ll get quite the long scolding for worrying them……」

Thinking about what they would deal with later, the Norton sisters sighed once again with rather melancholic faces. The guilty party, the Japanese members of the group looked at the two of them.

「But couldn’t you have just returned using transportation stones or transportation magic?」

「If it’s about two hours by car, then I figured y’all could still get back home as long as ya didn’t dilly-dally.」

「Well, I mean, there is some truth to that, but……」

「Besides, if ya teleported back to Darl, ya woulda ran into Barold. That woulda been real bad, right?」

Unable to counter Hiroshi’s argument, Tatsuya simply made a grim face. They had all but entirely suppressed Barold because of the minivan and its many functions, but if they had tried to face him head-on, they certainly wouldn’t have had it as easy. He had many ranged attacks, so it would be out of the question to fight him downtown where so many people were. Then again, fighting him in a deserted, wide open area risked his summoning spells getting out of hand and overwhelming the team.

Barold just so happened to have started the fight, and thanks to that they were able win in the easiest fashion: by bumping into him with the car. Otherwise it would have escalated into quite the bothersome fight. Carrying baggage like the Norton sisters while ensuring no one in the vicinity got hurt and having to deal with guerilla tactics on top of all that could have really done a number on their nerves.

It wouldn’t have been a bad idea to drive the car home in a nonchalant manner, but if they hadn’t gone investigating after the whole underground ruin excavation, the Norton sisters would not have been absent for so long. In that sense, Hiroshi was really the one who had to reflect on what he did.

Then again, Tatsuya and the others didn’t know this, but their actions had caused Barold to lose sight of where they were, forcing him to think up a more optimal plan.

「Well anyhow, this is all water under the bridge, so let’s think of what’ll happen from now on instead.」

「Umm, but that’s exactly what frightens me……」

「Wait, we’re not going to be involved in that too, are we？」

「I’ll leave that stuff to y’all. I gotta weave some clothing.」

Hiroshi tried to leave the decision-making to everyone else.

「Hey don’t run away! You’re the root of this issue!」

Right after Hiroshi said that, Tatsuya immediately interjected. Letting him go meant he might repeat the same mistake again.

「Why’s it matter if I’m there or not, mate?」

Hiroshi continued to attempt his escape from trouble.

「That’s not the issue, dude.」

Tatsuya continued to put pressure on Hiroshi to do the right thing. Smiling awkwardly at the two of them, Haruna glanced out the window and sensed something unusual.

「……Hm？」

「What is it？」

「Haru, something happen?」

「Don’t you think security seems a little heavy around here？」

Now that it was brought to their attention, the other members began observing their situation. And then

「Yeah, the atmosphere does give off a strangely…not quite murderous, but agitated aura.」

「I wonder what’s going on？」

Everyone’s eyes widened at the heightened security. There were clearly more guards than usual at the gates. They seemed to be taking quite a bit more time examining everyone entering the city, and there were many people waiting their turn in line.

「It really is quite heavy.」

「Was there some crazy incident when we were away, ya think?」

「I can’t say it’s totally out of the question, but I can definitely say things weren’t this tense with the apprenticeship incident!」

「Then somethin’ mighta happened outside.」

They continued their incoherent conversation without even considering that they might be responsible for this.