CCM 09 – Yo, Seems like I hit the Jackpot Though

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*Dooon!* *tugug*

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[Woah… There, there.]

[Waaaa!]

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The carriage stopped all of a sudden and the momentum made me and Rei uncontrollably lunge forward.

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It was quite an impact but it’s a good thing I had my training. As such, I was able to regain immediate control of my body.

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But that’s not the case with Rei though.

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–*boinngg*

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Somehow, I can feel some indescribable sensation lingering to my back.

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So soft.
I wonder what’s this.

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I turn my gaze to my shoulders to find Rei’s chin there fully resting in place. We are sitting side by side so her whole body ended up fully carried away by the momentum.

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….So, hm?
If that’s the case, then this sensation perhaps are from the things I am thinking of?

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[Oi. oo-iii….]

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I’m feeling kind of awkward but let’s try calling out the princess for now.

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[….Ehehe, Arios’ smells so good… eh, ah!!!]

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She’s rested for quite a few seconds before she returns to her original position. As usual, her face is flushed red.

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[So-sorry. You must have hated that, right…?]

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Rei is looking at me anxiously.

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[Well… It’s alright. We’ve always been close anyway.]

[Me and Arios —- always close….]

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I’m not sure why but Rei’s face starts to redden further.

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…But seriously, just what had happened?

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This is a rented carriage you know. It’s hard to imagine that they will deliberately put their customers in danger. Did some incident occur?

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With these thoughts in my mind, I decided to descend the carriage.
As for Rei, I’d have her stay inside. We can’t risk being discovered if she’s seen by other people.

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[Haaa. Can’t we ain’t getting through anyhow, eh?]
[We deeply apologize but this is how the guild arranged it. If you really wish to proceed then we would like you to cross the bridge over there instead.]
[Tha-that’s just too much for a detour! It’d take three days to reach our destination then!]

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Seems there’s an argument going over there.

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There’s the coachman and… adventurers it seems. There’s quite a lot of them aren’t they.

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The adventurers’ equipment is far better than the one I blew up earlier. Looking at their appearance, they seem really capable. 

One of the adventurers then took notice of me.

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[Oh. You are…]

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I don’t really want to introduce myself but… Guess there’s no helping it so let’s keep it brief.

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[I am Arios Makuba. It’s nice to meet you.]
[Arios… Then you’re a–]

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This adventurer probably already knows a thing or two about me such as my current social standing just from hearing my name.
However, he didn’t show any mockery or disdain but instead proceeded to bow his head a little. 

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[I’m Yuya Astray. A B rank adventurer.]
[B rank….]

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Then he must have experienced being into the brink of life and death for lots of times already. But unlike the adventurers that messed with me back in the capital, Yuya has this strange gentle air around him.

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Must be the reason why I am comfortable talking and asking him despite this just being our first meeting.

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[Yuya-san, about this road being blocked… Can I ask if there’s any story behind that?]
[Un. Actually, if you proceed further from here then a giant orc will appear.]
[Gi-giant orc, huh…]

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Now that’s quite a surprise.
It’s a class A monster if I’m not mistaken.

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It will be a more troublesome opponent than the earlier black grizzly.

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[Well, my companions are currently fighting it off but… the situation isn’t that really good so to say. We are working with the guild in Rastal Village but we still can’t really settle it for good even until now.]
[I see…]

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They’ve gathered a lot of adventurers but it is still not enough for them to win.
Class A monsters are just built really different, huh.

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[With that being the case, we have no other choice but to close off this path. I’m sorry for the inconvenience it causes you but it’s all for the sake of protecting the people. Please understand.]
[I see… I understand.]

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But seriously, just after the black grizzly, another monster just really have to appear, huh. What the heck’s happening.

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The coachman then calls me out as I am contemplating on things.

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[Sir, apologies but we ain’t prepared to camp outdoors for a three day trip, don’t you agree? If you don’t mind, I suggest we return…]
[No need. It’s alright. I’ll set out.]
[He….?]

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The one who got surprised by what I said is apparently Yuta.

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[Set out…? You?]
[Yes.]
[Bu-but aren’t you-]
[Yuya-san, it’s true that I wasn’t able to become a sword saint. … However, I still underwent a lot of rigorous training. I could offer some help even at least for a support role, don’t you think?]
[Fumu… We sure are short of helping hands but…]

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Yuya then rubs his chin and thinks for a while.
He then lets out a deep breath and looks straight into my eyes.

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[Got it. But you should know that what we are dealing with is an A class monster. If I judge the situation to be pretty dangerous, you have to retreat as I say. Is that clear?]
[Yes. That’s fine.]

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The current number of abilities I can use now is three.
To be able to find such a strong monster, it’s rather a jackpot giving me a good partner to experiment using this opportunity.

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I bump two of my fists together as I feel the thrill of the battle that took a while since I last felt.

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