Chapter 9
Alfan Mountains II [Hero Crane]
TL: I loved this chapter. It’s one of my favorites so far. There’s also a bit of politics between the countries of this world, which almost makes me wish I had a map. Anyway, Enjoy!
Crane Fafnir is the current Kamiko of Light. (TL: Or, the Child of God, or of Light, as he is also referred to as in this chapter)
Born in a farmhouse, he helped his parents to grind the fresh flour and occasionally fight with the monsters in the forest, where he lived until the age of twelve. When the demons and monsters became active, and he heard that the Kamiko of Light finally arrived at the Demon King Castle, for some reason at the same time Crane got magical powers.
It did not take long for him to realize it was the power of the Kamiko of Light.
The previous generation’s Kamiko of Light had fought fiercely as one of the strongest magic librarians from the Devil King Defense Force, and died to overthrow the Devil King to allow a temporary peace to come to this world.
You see, two years ago the Devil King Defense Force had been gathered and selected, each one of the five people the best from their respective kingdoms.
The Empire brought their strongest magic librarian from the best combat group.
From the Republic of Halberdia was a world traveler blessed with a certain mutation.
The Kingdom selected their sword Excalibur, the best swordsman.
The Principality called the highest-ranked adventurer in the guild they had. (TL: It calls them “rank-braver” but I think adventurer is more easily understood)
And from the Professor country, the single child chosen by the God of Light to bear the outrageous spiritual power from the God.
However, the battle was extremely fierce, and in order to barely defeat the Demon King the five warriors died. At the last moment when the national prides of the kingdoms fell, the light of the goddess scattered, and Crane Fafnir became the successor to the Child of Light.
“Fuu… I wonder if it will be okay. That guy was barely defeated by the continent’s best five, but it should be better this time, right?” (Crane)
“It will be okay with Crane. At any rate, I‘ll let you recognize my ability.” (Rudi)
“Well, Rudi’s foolishness aside, Crane is strong.” (Haruna)
Since they were tired from the dramatic climb, the three people were sitting on rocks and taking a short break.
One person is Crane, the Kamiko of Light, the second who followed was the young Prince Rudius of the Kingdom, and the third was the adventurer Haruna from the Principality. After Crane left the Professor Country, he had gained these two important companions on the road. Now these three people were continuing on their adventure, step-by-step searching for clues to the Devil King.
“I’m not sure which of my words were foolish, but…well anyway. At the very least we have here the nations’ best including Crane, the best mage, and the Kingdom’s strongest swordsman, myself. Do not worry.” (Rudi)
“Thank you, Rudi.” (Crane)
“Hey, wait! You have forgotten this one from the Principality, the priestess Haruna-chan!” (Haruna)
“Ha ha! This F-ranked adventurer should just be thankful we picked her up.” (Rudi)
“I cannot accept that?!” (Haruna)
“Ahaha, I will also depend on Haruna.” (Crane)
While gnawing dried meat, Crane laughed. Sitting in front of him is the red-haired swordsman who had become a close friend since they met in the Kingdom. Truthfully, his sword arms are strong indeed. The King of the Kingdom was also a powerful man who could fight against the three all together, though he knew that the three would definitely become stronger on this adventure.
The girl with pink hair down her back and staff was Haruna. On the way to the Principality, she had fallen multiple times from hunger and passed out where they found her, and after her recovery she had become a reliable companion.
“Hehe.” (Crane)
“What’s so funny?” (Haruna)
The two looked suspiciously at his involuntary smile. Though he continued on this dangerous journey, he felt secure if these two people were here.
“But what was it that the fortune teller said? If you go get the flowers at the top of the Alfan Mountains, you will get more clues to the Devil King…” (Rudi)
“After that, ‘you will meet a tremendous ‘power’ in the road. It is not an enemy, but it is not a friend.’ I remember better than you do Rudi.” (Haruna) (TL: man, the fortune teller is on point with changes on the world)
“Silence, you guys. …However, the ‘clues to the Devil King’ and the ‘Power.’ Hey Crane, if this is true then this unresponsive mountain range might give us some hints.” (Rudi)
Rudi and Haruna were remembering and discussing what had happened with the fortuneteller in the port city. It worried Crane, but he also thought it would be better to ignore any prophecies not related to the goddess.
“Well, if there’s nothing then let’s go to the Empire. Because the only country that we haven’t gone to is the Empire.” (Crane) (まあ、もし何もなかったら帝国に行こう。行ってない国は、あとは帝国だけなんだから)
“Empire? … I don’t want to go…” (Haruna)
You should go to the former Republic, even though it was swept up by the Empire there may be clues leading to the Demon King in that area.” (Rudi)
“Oh, that’s right.” (Crane)
Two years ago, the five people and pride of the five countries visited the Demon King Castle. It was the Empire that had spearheaded the attack and allowed the Devil King to be defeated.
Originally, if it were not for the threat of the Devil King the five countries would be incompatible, and because the Empire had swallowed the Republic, the other three nations, including the Kingdom and Principality, created an alliance that opposed the Empire.
Crane, who is the Child of Light, has traveled leisurely because of the alliance, but in the Empire he must act quietly. This is also true for Rudi, the prince of the Kingdom.
However, the remaining hint to the demon kingdom is in the Empire, or in the Far East Island Jappon next to the third continent…Other than that they currently had no idea.
“Well anyway, whether we go to the empire or not, it is obvious to conclude we should go up to the top of the Alfan Mountains first. My stamina has almost recovered…and you guys?” (Crane)
“I’m fine, what about Haruna?” (Rudi)
“OK – OK –, do not worry!” (Haruna)
*Pyonko pyonkoko* (sfx for bounciness)
Crane turned gentle eyes towards the jumping Haruna. Rudi slightly shrugged his shoulders and jumped off the rock lightly.
“Well then, there is still a little bit to the summit, but let’s do our best.” (Crane)
Once he saw Rudi and Haruna nod, the party again begun to capture the Alfan Ranges.
And at that time.
“Tsu!?” (Crane)
“Get down!” (Rudi)
“Wha-What is this…pressure…!?!” (Haruna)
Crane reflexively raised his wand, Rudi stepped forward to protect his friend, and Haruna began to look around fearfully.
Surrounding the three was a tremendous pressure. The looming violent intimidation, that was dull enough to be considered heavy pressure, left them no choice but watch their surroundings as they were sandwiched between the cliffs.
“Where is…!?!”
At Rudi’s shaky voice, Crane’s eyes widened. That brave fellow’s eyes were shaking, his lips trembling with the dregs of fear.
Although this mighty force suddenly appeared Crane pretended this was merely a warm-up…For Crane could feel nothing but fear, and who it is said there is none who are his opponent in the Kingdom, this might be the first time he has felt this. (クレインとてこんな強大な力をどこからともなく感じるのは恐怖でしかなかったが、前衛たる彼……ましてや王国で敵無しともうたわれるような彼にとっては、初めてのことなのかもしれない。)
The air of the overwhelmingly strong.
“Please…Where is the source…?!?” (Haruna)
A magical pulse emitted from Haruna’s staff. At the very least, there would be no way to retreat if they didn’t know where this pressure was coming from. However, the response may have been too late. Before her explorative magic could demonstrate its effect, Rudi shouted at the shadow of a person in front of them.
It is not a human. The two twisting black horns insist on that point.
In response to its arrival there was the sound of wooden clogs, and the dark blue Kinagaishi fluttered in a sudden wind. The black aura clinging to it is filled with a torrent of “power.”
Is a monster with this kind of power even from this world?
“Ah…ah…Aaaaaah!!” (Rudi)
“Wait Rudi!!” (Haruna)
Unable to suppress his trembling, Rudi swept the sheath from his waist and tried to jump at the demon, but the echoes of Haruna’s screaming voice stopped him.
Meanwhile, the demon-like silhouette did not budge. Feeling the swordsman’s pressure from Rudi, Crane gulps and also held completely still.
“Wait…” (Haruna)
Next to the stationary Rudi whom she pulled back, Haruna passed by him step by trembling step.
What was she doing? To Crane who thought of trying to stop her, he remembered; In the town, they had heard a prophecy.
[After that, ‘you will meet a tremendous ‘power’ in the road. It is not an enemy, but it is not a friend.’ I remember better than you do Rudi.]
What frightful power. Was the demon in front of him an existence of “power” itself?
“W-was…there s-something you needed?” (Haruna)
Crane gratefully admired her for her courage. And was ashamed at himself who has done nothing. She spoke without hostility, against the threat of fainting from merely approaching it. Crane felt he would be killed if he cast a spell even once. It was the same for Rudi, who did not move while he gripped his sword.
“No, only a delivery.” (Shuten)
“Tsu!”
It talked to her. And certainly there did not seem to be any hostility. Purely replying to the words of Haruna, establishing a conversation. To Haruna who is a few steps away from the man, what does he look like? Crane didn’t know, but had no choice but to watch her talk without stepping forward.
“Deliver…what?” (Haruna)
“It’s originally yours. I ended up getting it unintentionally. So I’ll pass it to you.” (Shuten)
“Er, Ah…” (Haruna)
The man pulled a familiar object from the inside of his Kinagaishi. It is that key. And it is the same one attained but a different color.
“Oh, thank…you.” (Haruna)
With the gentle clink of metal, the key fell into the hands of Haruna. To the unexpectedly polite and carefree man, Haruna lowers her head, shivering.
Even without doing something wrong, if they fought now they would fall before a single blow. It is not supposed to be that way.
“See you.” (Shuten)
“U-umm wait!”
The man really did seem to only deliver the item, as he had already turned around.
Crane and Rudi intensified their vigilance because they did not understand why Haruna called out, but her words were certainly with the same thoughts as their own.
“Oh, do you know what this key is…?”
“You’ll understand once you get to the top.” (Shuten)
“Tsu…!”
Only then did the man disappear into the fog.
As soon as the pressure was released a feeling of weakness enveloped the three of them.
“Puha…! (sfx for sudden exhalation) I-I thought it was strange…!” (Haruna)
“No, thanks to Haruna I was saved, thank you…” (Crane)
“…” (Rudi)
In the hands of Haruna who sits down in her spot is held the orange key. It is exactly the same shape as the red key of Crane. There was doubt about what exactly it is, and apparently the question would be resolved if they go to the top.
However, rather than thinking about such a thing, the brains of the three people were filled with the mystery of who that man was.
“…Rudi?” (Crane)
“…I am still weak.” (Rudi)
“To think Rudi would say such a thing.” (Haruna)
And from the boy who had not uttered a word, the two others naturally turned their heads at the murmur. He finally re-sheathed the sword he was clutching.
“It may be that everywhere we’ve been there only happened to be weak monsters that come out. Such a monster being alive…We have to become stronger. We have to defeat the Demon King.” (Crane)
“Yeah, you’re right…” (Rudi)
“Let’s do our best one step at a time?!” (Haruna)
The strong point of these three is that they never succumb to fear. Now, it doesn’t matter if they lose. There was hope that their growth has not reached its limits.
“Well, shall we go? I pray the clue at the top of the mountain is not as terrifying as that guy.” (Crane)
“Ah, the first person there gets a one on one.” (Rudi)
“Even if it rushes you, don’t do that!” (Haruna)
Looking towards the summit they do not yet see, the three people renewed their determination.
The heated battle of the three people against one of the Four Heavenly Demon Kings on the mountain summit, and their easy victory, is another story.
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