Chapter 74.1
Seventy-Fourth Episode~ Demon Steel City Holkerbam
I immediately search the city for a suitable place .
There is a crossroad right inside the eastern gate .
The crowd of people and cattle mills through the roads under the beautiful weather .
I stop Popobumu at the edge of a street and speak to Misty .
“Misty, I’m going to release you somewhere we won’t attract attention . ”
“Okay . ”
Now then, where should I release her?
The road on the left heads south and narrows .
It splits into small alleys and old houses .
I look to the right road that heads north .
The road is uphill, and there are newer high-class residences painted white and yellow .
Being built on a slope makes the houses look like staircases .
The middle road heads west . The broad road makes me think it is the main street .
“Looking to the hill on the right . I’ll release you there . ”
“Un . ”
I go up the hill and enter a side alley .
I lower misty to the ground and remove the magic shackles on her arms .
I remove more than ten gold and silver coins from the item box and give them to Misty after putting them in a suitable leather bag .
“This…”
“Won’t it be hard without money?”
Does acting this way make me look like an easy mark to Misty? (TL: Could also be saying Misty looks like a soft person?)
“…Why…this much . ”
Looks look back and forth between me and the bag of gold coins .
Her eyes are misting over (TL: Heh, see what I did?), one tear, two tears, they stream down her cheeks .
“I’m just a guy who half-heartedly interfered . I’m weak to women . Also, you can use the gold to hire a carriage, so getting a fresh start should be easy . ”
“…Thanks, fufu, what a meddlesome guy . Purposely saying something so harshly . Trying to hide your kindness is useless . However, it’s good I met you . Our time together was short, but my view of life changed . I, until now, have only ever lived for my own pleasure… knowing a good person like you exists, I want to believe what you said, that this world isn’t only filled with evil . Shuya… can we meet again?” (TL: How many girls is this? I think this is a new record . )
Misty says while wiping away her tears .
Her casual words touch me . Helping you was just the right thing to do…
However, I don’t let her see such feelings .
“…We may meet . If Misty lives seriously, we will surely meet again . ”
“Really?”
“Ah, well then,”
“Nyao . ”
“Ah, ma-”
We part on friendly terms .
I can tell that Misty doesn’t want to part, but I prompt popobumu and head down the slope .
I return to the crossroads and join the crowd .
I have releases the former noble turned thief .
Honestly, I pity her a bit because she was Zoru’s younger sister .
Seeing the seal on her forehead makes me recall that time .
Zoru and Theta smiling as they died, then leaving Yui…
Ma, I am irresponsible .
It could be said that I drove off a troublesome person with money and a vague promise to meet again .
I move down the main street with such a guilty conscience .
I advance down the main street heading west .
A luxurious hotel is situated at the corner of a group of large buildings .
There are old-fashioned trading companies and new armor shops lined up .
This area has ambiance .
There are multiple chimneys near the blacksmiths .
Dense black smoke is rising from them .
I’m curious, so I guide Popobumu to toward those shops .
It’s like a shopping street . (TL: Think Tamako Market)
There is a lump of black ore in place of a signboard .
The name of the shop 【Hadi’s Shop of Flame and Edge of Steel】 is carved on the sign .
The next sign is carved a giant sword and says【Gateau & Feizman】 .
The shop next to is a round steel bar with【Elizado’s Miscellaneous Goods Shop】carved .
Then is a mallet, shield, and multiple shops with crystal-like signboards .
Each of the signboards has a common point .
The signboards are all under the eaves, and a small wooden dragonfly hangs from the signs .
Even now, the carved dragonflies shake in the wind .
It’s not a replacement for wind-chimes, perhaps is a sign indicating they can handle demon steel alloy .
The emblem is probably something like a mascot .
Looking in from outside it gives the impression of a shopping street .
Small alleys are stretching from the shopping street .
The smaller roads lead to the depths of the city .
I like the fact that I can casually find the back-streets .
Reopening the back-alley street?
I’ll make a detour and take a little look .
Perhaps, the great tree might be this way .
The houses a built differently than the ones in Hector, there are plenty made from stone . With the feeling of exploring, I push Popobumu forward .
It looks like there is an established sewer, I can’t be sure, but there is a metal manhole cover .
Stepping cautiously on the cover with Popobumu, we advance through the narrow and slightly dirty street .
For a little, we pass through the small streets- I then hear jeering sounds .
Curious, I approach the sounds .
“Surround ’em, surround ’em, corner them . ”
“Ben, you sure?”
“Ah, 【Gaia’s Scale】 (TL: Balance scale) Iron Hammer Victor . Also, that woman is the leader “Fireball Mia . ” (TL: New heroine, get)
There’s a fight in a cul-de-sac .
A bunch of bearded bandit looking men wearing strained dark robes are gathered .
“Oh, that woman next to the hammer guy is the leader?”
“Yeah . The subordinate has become the prey of the iron hammers . It’s a mistake, right?”
The group of dirty men is talking .
“However, it’s not ‘Dumas’s Four Arms . ’ Be careful . ”
A thin and weak looking man is instructing a fat man .
“Zoha-ani is cautious . In this situation, it can’t be helped even if we’re careful . When it comes to Dumas, he’s a helpful guy . Look, these are the only guys left . If we take their leader’s head, the well-established 【Gaia’s Scale】 will end here . ”
The fat man laughs as he walks forward .
A guy to the side has an enraged expression .
“That’s right . Isn’t luck on our side?”
“Oh! Uhyahya, chance, chance . Before taking her head, that woman…hehe . ”
The fat man is looking at the woman with his weapon in hand while breathing roughly .
“Ah? You after something too?”
“Salad, are you stupid? (TL: Heh, what a stupid name . ) Do you think I’ll let such good woman go?”
“Then, Ben, it’s a contest . She’ll go to whoever kills her soldier . ”
“Good, I’ll have my fill! Do it, you hear? Gooo, crush, crush, crush!”
They’re working themselves up to fight the soldier, they look like bandits, but they seem to have a leader .
“The first kill, dieeeee!”
“Hyahha, kill!”
They noticed me since I approached .
I tap Popobumu’s stomach and advance .
I approach the side of the group .
“Oi, doing whatever ya want, you, what, want to compete? It has been decided that I’ll take that lass . ”
The skinny man says with hallow eyes .
“Ha? Zoha Aniki, what did you say? I’m going first!”
“Ben and Salad, I, the oldest brother, am going first . Ano, I’ll be the first one to take that smooth ass, hehe . ”
The men are talking with vulgar looks .
“Again, aniki always goes first, let us have a taste once in a while . ”
“Iya, iya, even that woman, if I were her I’d rather be violated by a thin man than a fat one . ”
“-Oi, Ben, Salad, you perverted brothers, it’s useless, capture Mia alive, it’s an order from Oze and Jane . ”
That? Those noisy brothers seem to have been vice-leaders .
The one who spoke last must have been the actual leader .
With a long sword in hand, he scolds the fishy men with a commanding tone .
However, suddenly .
Entering the alley, I encounter the inter-guild war .
Although a say that, it’s 40 people versus 15, it looks more like a war of extermination . The small number is back into the corner .
It’s one-sided .
-Oh?
The suspicious men were saying there was a beautiful woman among those who were cornered .
It’s a beauty with long black hair .
Black eyes and tiny arched eyebrows . She’s a Japanese looking woman?
Cornered, her eyes contain a harsh light, but they seem to say she will absolutely survive . So, I can feel her intentions .
Her dress reveals her white thighs .
The leather armor she is wearing has visible tears and damage .
Her thighs look soft, they’re splendid .
Her dress is torn .
In such a state, I can understand why the perverts are so worked up .
She has a cane in her hand, so she seems to be a magic user .
Next to her is a middle-aged man who is desperately protecting her .
He swings the large iron hammer with a severe expression .
Oh, he blew away an enemy with it .
You know, that guy .
He’s cool . He reminds me of the two Deva kings standing guard .
The wrinkles on his face stand out, and with his hammer and old man beard, he looks like a guardian Devas .
“Guaa-”
“Tch, Iron Hammer Victor, huh? As expected, he’s strong . ”
In this case… Should I side with the old devas and the beautiful woman? (TL: I’m translating 仁王 as Devas guardian, a Devas is from Buddhism, but it doesn’t sit right with me . If anyone has a better translation leave a comment or mention me on the discord . )
To say, I think I’ll generally save someone if they’re a beautiful woman .
Where to put Popobumu…oh, there, there . I’ll leave him in the alley over there .
I quickly hurry there .
“Popobumu, stay still here in the shadows, alright?”
“Bubo~”
Popobumu calls out lively .
While patting Popobumu, I tie to some metal parts of the building .
“Rollo, let’s go, prepare for battle . ”
“Nya . ”