CCM 68 – Yo, the Scale is Getting Way Too Big Tho

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Well, a lot happened along the way but it’s nice that we managed to arrive safely in Rastal village.

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The night has already deepened so that worked in our favor as well.

It made it easier for us to head straight towards the guild without encountering any of the villagers.

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Oh, I also called Rei as we passed by her house so she’s here with us on standby.

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[Members of Saviors of Arceurs, huh… and there’s three of them right here…]

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Arturo greets us with such words and suprise is evident in his widened eyes.

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[I can’t believe it… For these troublesome people to be captured and restrained so easily…]

[No, no, no, no. It’s not because of me. This is all thanks to my companion right here.]

[I am a servant who shall satisfy the will of Arios-sama – Viin desu]

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This ancient weapon then starts to rotate its circular body while returning Arturo’s greeting.

Seriously, this guy’s been doing these weird antics since recently.

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[A s-servant, you say…]

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Arturo mutters his reply as his shoulders shiver. What’s wrong with him now?

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[Oh, Arios-dono. Do tell me that this is rather just a dream. This one you call Viin, from what my eyes can tell, this one is far from what I know as people of humanity.]

[Well, that’s true… If I have to say, it’s some sort of ancient weaponry.]

[A- an ancient weapon…]

[Yes. I had served the Goddess Dies-sama previously in the far away past.]

[T-the Goddess Dies… Oh, please… Stop… This old man’s head cannot take it any longer…]

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*thuds*

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…Those words were Arturo’s last just before his body fell down. He actually fainted.

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[Old man!! I shall help you right this immediately!!]

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Which made Viin, a machine, suddenly scream.

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[Another loud and noisy one has joined the rounds, isn’t it….]

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Rei then whispers as she laughs weakishly.

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★

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The ruckus ended just immediately.

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Right now, we’re sitting down all together to discuss the matter at hand.

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Oh, these are the topics that we talked about:

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・The reason for the Saviors of Arceus (SoA) to take Em back.

・The connection or relationship of some sort between the SoA and the Ald family.

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There might be some finer details but everything should work around these two subjects. Even I didn’t imagine I’ll be bumping heads with the SoA just because I picked up Em afterall.

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I already briefed Arturo about Em too.

I mean, as someone who is working under the banner of the guild, it would be better if I remain honest and transparent to its master.

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[By the way, Arturo-san…]

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There’s a certain matter I remember that I want to consult with him about.

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[Me and Yuya-san were able to capture members of SoA’s as well just the other day. I heard those guys were transported somewhere to be interrogated but… Is there any news after that?]

[Hm…. Regarding that matter…]

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Arturo, whose chin rests on top of both of his hands, looks at me as he answers with his voice quivering.

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[…I was told that the captives have escaped. It was so abrupt and sudden that there was not even a footstep left to trace.]

[Eh!?… But how could that be…]

[Furthermore, to avoid spreading fear and panic amongst the people, this information was only told to quite a handful. But I want you to hear more about this story.]

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Arturo then lays his arms across his chest while his face remains stern.

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[The captives were firmly held in their cells which was natural. The preparation for the interrogation had just been completed as well. However — without anyone noticing, the captives had suddenly vanished. Right in front of the security.]

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What the.

We’re talking about the Royal Capital’s security here, right?

Just how could the captives escape considering the level of their tight knit supervision and surveillance.

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[Obviously, it is deemed as a large incident. There’s even a reconnaissance team formed secretly just to look for these captives. But… until now, it still hasn’t been productive.]

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I mean, we’re talking about terrorists here that have long been wanted but had just gone and suddenly vanished. Of course it’s natural to respond that way in such a big incident.

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Man, I really can’t just shrug my shoulders hearing about this story.

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[It’s probably some kind of a <Shadow Stone>.]

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Viin then shares his thoughts as he looks at us who remain to be speechless.

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[Haven’t everyone seen one of them already? It’s a jet black jewel that’s emitting some kind of mysterious waves on its surroundings.]

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That jet black jewel?

Now that’s quite a surprise.

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[Are you talking about this, Viin?]

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I took the jet black jewel out from my breast pocket as I showed it to Viin.

It’s the same stone used by the members of the SoA to summon monsters. 

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–That summon which allowed monsters to appear just like they teleported…

Teleport..?

Don’t tell me!

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[That’s right. That’s a shadow stone I was talking about.]

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Viin, whose attention focuses on the jewel, speaks with a tinge of disgust in its tone.

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[That’s the only thing I’d never forget. Even after 2000 years when the disaster had come.]

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The disaster that had fallen in the last 2000 years…

It must be the same disaster that had been talked about by the Goddess Dies.

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What now then?

The scale of things is getting bigger and bigger than what I expected though.

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[The people of SoA that you are talking about are under the protection of the Shadow Stone. That’s probably why they are strong… Still, they will be nothing but playthings if they go against Arios-sama’s will.]

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…I see.

Though the mysteries have increased, at least there was something we were able to understand from it.

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This jet black jewel that is actually named as Shadow Stone.

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We still don’t know what this stone actually is fully capable of but there is one thing we can be certain about. SoA uses this stone as their source of strength and its members are relying on it to gain power….

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[Uhm… Arturo-san, there’s something I’d like to ask.]

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Arturo then returns my words with a smile on his face.

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[Fufufu. I do understand what it is that you want. There is no need for you to speak more of your mind.]

[Hahaha… I guess you already figured it out.]

[Hohohoho. That’s what I expect from the true sword saint afterall.]

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Well, I am not really someone that lofty though.

I can’t take my hands off with Em’s safety and slavery, and more importantly, the involvement of SoA in this case is something I just can’t leave unchecked. I think it would be hard for me to resolve this case but atleast I want to be able to contribute as much as I can. 

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[…Then be it. Though not through official means, as the guild master of Rastal village, I formally ask the adventurer Arios to take part in this case.]

[Ofcourse… I’ll accept it gladly.]

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I said these words before I determinedly nodded my head.

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Translator’s Notes:

1. Release 2/4!
2. Ooooooh, things are actually connected up to there. Things are moving so fast – atleast for me. I must have been so used to paces of novels with thousands of chapters already.

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