CCM 31 – Yo, It’s Looking Dangerous Though

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Into the hideout that we found beneath the meadows not far away from the village.

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Just from the temperament of the place, it can easily be said that there’s something fishy around this place. The air itself is thin and filthy.

If I want to, perhaps I can just activate cheat code manipulation and burn this place down as it is.

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However, I have to refrain myself from doing so right now.

It isn’t ideal to burn everything into dust without knowing what might be inside.

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That’s why we are now moving carefully within the hideout ourselves.

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[This is… a rather unusual place, isn’t it….]

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Yuya says so as he looks around with a grim expression on his face.

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[What’s more, for a man made hideout to be located in this kind of place… Arios-kun, perhaps you’ve just made a really big discovery.]

[Haha… I wonder if that’s really the case.]

[Un. At the very least, it is a very big achievement for a beginner adventurer.]

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Big discovery, huh.

That might be true.

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But, our business doesn’t end with just the discovery of this place.

We can never afford to put our guards down as long as we don’t know what’s lurking insid–

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[Hm?]

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I can’t help but sharpen my eyes.

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There’s something lying on the ground.

Something that is familiar and nostalgic.

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[Arios? What’s the matter?]

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Rei notices my reaction and asks so I point my finger towards the ground a few meters away from us.

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[Look. Can you see something over there?]

[Yes… a handkerchief…?]

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Indeed.

A handkerchief.

But this isn’t just your everyday thing.

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This handkerchief was something I gave to a certain maid back then when I was still in the Makuba estate.

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It has her name embroidered into it as I gave it to her in an attempt to soothe her considering how a crybaby she was.

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[………]

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I walk towards the thin and dirtied handkerchief silently as I pick it up and turn it over. 

A name is indeed written on it.

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[Maeri….]

[Maeri, you say…]

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Rei checks the handkerchief as well and her eyes widen in surprise.

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[Isn’t she a maid from the Makuba family…!? Why is that girl’s handkerchief in such a…?]

[I don’t know. However.]

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I have a bad feeling about this.

She’s quite a clumsy girl too.

I just hope she wasn’t carelessly dragged into some big mess…

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[Awooooooooooooooooo!]

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There comes then monsters’ cries all of a sudden.

I look towards our side and find numerous whitewolves around once again. It approaches us with their mouths salivating as if they are presented with the most precious meal.

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[…Right out of thin air again, huh.]

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I haven’t sensed any presence of any monster until now.

These monsters just poof out of thin air similar to what happened earlier.

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[This basically confirms our doubt, ain’t it? Something’s definitely lurking in here.]

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I pull out my sword without speaking.

I prepare myself to fight at any minute as I lower my posture —

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[Oh no. Hold a moment, Arios-kun.]

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Yuya then suddenly taps my shoulder.

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[Leave this place to me. You guys go onward and check further.]

[Sure…]

[Fufu, you might have forgotten but I am a B adventurer too. Let me show you that I can overcome this myself.]

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Yuya laughs with a bold expression on his face.

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But — even he himself should know.

If you consider how monsters are appearing suddenly without a trace, you have to keep in mind that the monsters you need to fight are not limited to the whitewolves that you can see.

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That’s why it’s almost certain that fighting the monsters in this place would take quite a lot of time.

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[Don’t worry about me, Arios-kun. You have someone out there to save, right?]

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Right then when I saw the determination on his face, all thoughts and ideas to persuade him and say all ‘no’ felt meaningless.

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[…I understand. Goodluck, Yuya-san.]

[Same to you, Arios-kun. You see, it’s not Leon-dono nor Dudley-dono I believe that is the true sword saint. I believe it can only be you.]

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Me and Rei run forward after Yuya sends us ahead with a thumbs up.

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Translator’s Note:

1. This is a late remark on the previous chapter but I was on a trip earlier and when Linkin Park’s Numb hits, I suddenly recall Arios. Oh gawd.

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