WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Irevi

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Chapter 61: You’re Not Human, Are You?

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A week had passed since then.

Had Mine grown at all during that time?

"Kieeeek!"

"Eek!!"

Not even a little.

Mine had somehow managed to get zero kills over the entire week.

Wow! A No-Kill Route!

Even while wearing armor that a spider monster couldn't scratch and carrying a magic wand that could crush a spider's head with a single swing, she'd gotten zero kills!

I considered myself pretty patient, but watching Mine collapse with nothing but an "Eek!" whenever a spider charged at her made my blood boil.

A newbie was one thing, but even veteran players wouldn't welcome a newbie who stubbornly ignored advice.

It would've been better if my kills automatically gave her experience, like in the original.

'I could really use an Exp. Share.'

The image of the benevolent Saintess was slowly being replaced by that of a useless Saintess.

Mine stood at the dungeon entrance, gasping for breath.

"Haa... Haa..."

What was she catching her breath for? What had she even done?

It was impressive, really. She looked like that, yet somehow managed to be completely unlikable.

"......What was your previous Follower's name again?"

"I-Inia..."

I hadn't asked because I was curious.

I just felt sorry for her.

I'd have to repay her somehow later.

"All right. Let's call it a day."

"I-I'm sorry. I keep disappointing you..."

'Then you should know better.'

With a heavy heart, I looked up at the sky.

One week. A whole week.

Enough time to collect ten Shards if we'd been running dungeons.

With some luck, we could've even aimed for Tier 3 Shards.

All that time had gone to waste.

'Tomorrow's the day they announce the practicum assignments.'

It was nearly time to start entering dungeons in earnest, but at this rate, we could train for a hundred days and still make no progress.

Unless I could get my hands on a Hyperbolic Time Chamber or something, I had no clever solution to overcome this.

'I'm really screwed.'

⁎⁎⁎

The following day, during lunch.

"Didn't you choose her knowing that would happen?"

"I didn't think it would be this bad."

"Talent as a martial artist and talent as a teacher are different. Perhaps you've overestimated your own talents?"

The first part was true, but I couldn't accept the second.

At the very least, I wanted Senia to watch Mine flail around for a week before saying that.

"Of course, I'm talented at both."

"Did you really need to say that?"

"But it's strange. Isn't this the first time Halibal has talked to us about someone else?"

I'd been so frustrated that I'd complained without realizing it.

When I looked up, Senia was smiling gently as usual.

That was right.

I was having lunch with the Ren sisters.

At some point, the three of us had become regular lunch companions.

Unlike the dungeon practicum, Followers took on a more supplementary role in the special practicum.

In other words, there was no need to stay with our Followers every waking moment.

That was why the three of us had left our Followers behind and come to eat together.

"Then how's your new Follower?"

"I'm far more satisfied than last time. For one thing, we can actually communicate."

"You aren't on especially good terms with the Reygal family, are you?"

"Eugene Reygal isn't personally a bad person. Our relationship isn't nearly as bad as it is with the Grace Family."

Senia's new Follower was Eugene.

She had chosen him herself, and Eugene had accepted.

Senia generally got along well with people, aside from Luna, and the same was true for Eugene.

He spoke bluntly, but he was a noble who knew how to get along with people he acknowledged.

Still.

"What's with you?"

"What's with me?"

Beside me, Cecilia couldn't hold back the laughter that kept slipping out.

Just looking at her eyebrows twitching like crescent moons told me she was in an extremely good mood.

She had never been that kind of character in the first place.

Senia let out a deep sigh.

"I think Halibal has ruined Cecil."

"I haven't done anything."

"Ever since you went to a dungeon with her, I can't tell what she's thinking. Look at her even now. She's been like that ever since Halibal started talking about Mine."

"Has she?"

"Do you know why she's acting like that, Halibal?"

Who knew.

I stared at Cecilia, and she popped a piece of seasoned broccoli into her mouth before speaking with a mischievous smile.

"So."

"?"

"You mean you miss me?"

Hmm. Was that what it meant?

Surprisingly, the only answer that came to mind was yes.

Lady Cecilia. I miss you.

But the way she said it so openly irritated me for some reason, so instead of answering, I picked up my tray and stood.

Must be nice being the protagonist. I was stuck with a useless Saintess.

"If you miss me, say so. I'll ask the instructors whether you can change Followers."

As if.

Her smile didn't disappear even as I left the cafeteria.

That afternoon, all the first-year students gathered on the training grounds for the special practicum assignment announcement.

For some reason, dozens of students had surrounded Mine and me.

This happened from time to time, but never with this many people.

"Halibal Velder. I heard you're planning to conquer an Abyss again this time."

"Saintess Mine is going with you too, right?!"

"I heard Mine asked you first."

Mine's expression darkened at the barrage of questions.

She had already been depressed because she hadn't lived up to my expectations lately. Being suddenly flooded with attention from so many people could only make her feel pressured.

A friendly male student leaned in and asked.

"Halibal, is this rumor true?"

I turned my head and searched for Pasha, who had to be somewhere nearby.

Sure enough, she was glaring at us from one corner with her Follower.

So the rumors really had spread.

If anything, a week had been a long time.

"The rumor is..."

"All right! Everyone, quiet down!"

Adeline calmed everyone by tapping the stack of papers on the desk.

Only after confirming that the students had returned to their places did she speak.

"You've all had a week to get accustomed to your new Followers, correct?"

"Yes!"

A thunderous shout rose from the students.

Why were all of you the only ones who had gotten accustomed? I hadn't.

"Come forward when your name is called and collect your assignment. And for your information, I don't recommend sharing your assignment with anyone other than your Follower."

Special practicum assignments were given individually according to each student's capabilities.

Naturally, if an assignment became known, competitors might try to interfere with its completion.

The students who received their assignments showed all sorts of reactions.

Sighs of relief, groans of despair, open complaints, and satisfied smiles.

Mine and I were waiting for our turn when Adeline said something unexpected.

"Halibal and Mine. I'm sorry, but your assignment will be given separately later. There's something under discussion at the moment."

"......Is that so?"

"Of all people, you had to pick only famous ones! You, I'll need to see you separately later!"

A few students murmured at Adeline's familiar attitude, but it didn't cause much of a commotion.

It was clearly special treatment, but as much as I hated to say it myself, I was a student worthy of special treatment now.

Most people seemed to simply accept it.

Alicia's words from a week ago naturally came to mind.

'We'll definitely conquer the third Abyss during this practicum period.'

She was probably working to secure us an assignment related to conquering a dungeon.

After the assignments had been distributed and classes ended for the day, I was dragging Mine toward the Spider Dungeon like a cow being led to slaughter when I sensed a familiar presence near the entrance.

When I turned around, someone wearing a black robe and hunching their shoulders was waiting for us.

Red hair was clearly visible beneath the robe.

"Senior, were you waiting for us to come out?"

"......Do people often tell you that you're clueless?"

This time, it seemed Alicia was the clueless one.

Having missed her entrance timing, she had no choice but to walk out with her arms folded.

"Take it."

She held out a slip of paper pinched between her thumb and index finger.

It was obviously a practicum assignment.

Just as I was about to unfold it, she added something.

"I'll tell you in advance. It isn't an assignment related to a dungeon."

"?"

"I-Is that true?"

Our reactions were completely opposite.

Mine was happy.

I was not.

Hadn't she put on a show about how I had nothing to worry about before disappearing?

"Can't be helped. More groups have recently begun opposing your dungeon conquests, Junior, and there are also instructors sincerely worried about Junior Mine's condition."

"Then what was all that confidence about earlier?"

"You'll understand when you see it yourself."

I unfolded the paper and read what was written on it.

[Special Practicum Assignment Notice]

Team Members: Halibal Velder, Mine Rose

Special Observer: Alicia Cyrus

[Overview]

A branch of the Tartarus Cult has been discovered midway up the Ronwood Mountains.

The objective of this assignment is to achieve one of the following.

1. Suppress and eliminate all cultists affiliated with the branch.

2. Completely eradicate the branch's base.

[Remarks]

This practicum reflects an actual combat situation. When submitting the report, you must include the grounds for your strategic decisions and a detailed record of the execution process.

I found myself rubbing my chin with my free hand.

Mine also let out a quiet groan.

I folded the paper and asked again.

"Then what was all that confidence about earlier?"

"Y-You don't need to ask the same thing twice!"

My head throbbed.

'Why are you bringing me this now?'

A branch of the Tartarus Cult.

I had been indebted to one when I first fell into this world, so I had intended to wipe one out someday.

But I didn't feel like it right now.

In the original, the quest to clear out a cult branch only appeared after conquering the third dungeon.

By then, it was issued to Aren Bright, who had risen high enough to be considered strong, in the form of a bounty.

Yet the reward was only money, and the cultists that appeared were generic mobs that didn't even drop rare items.

It was an inefficient quest that required considerable combat power, even if it wasn't on the level of an Abyss.

And they were assigning that to a first-year?

Hadn't they just said they were worried about Mine?

"Mine carries the title of Saintess, after all. Considering the recent matter with the Church of the Main Gods, that's probably why they assigned this task."

"Even so, clearing out a cult branch? Isn't this something we'd have to risk our lives for?"

"You're quite worried about it, Junior. I heard someone say putting your life on the line was your hobby."

"Who said that?"

"Cecilia Ren."

‘Cecilia, did you sell me out?’

I wouldn't let her off later.

"Don't worry so much. According to the investigation, the forces there aren't particularly strong."

"Then shouldn't the people who investigated them clear them out themselves?"

"If a large force moved in, wouldn't they tuck their tails and run immediately?"

'...That's true.'

I had once reported the branch where I had been imprisoned to the military.

But when I returned with soldiers, it had already vanished without a trace.

They must have abandoned the base as soon as they confirmed that I had escaped.

"I'm more worried about you, Junior."

"Why?"

A strange gleam suddenly appeared in Alicia's eyes.

"Have you... ever killed a person before?"

"......"

Had I killed someone before?

I had. Once, immediately after falling into this world.

Still, I didn't answer.

Cecilia had landed the finishing blow on Maliaas, so officially, I had never killed anyone.

Recklessly answering yes here would only invite unnecessary suspicion.

Of course, remaining silent would give it away too.

"...I see. I don't know whether I should call that fortunate or unfortunate."

Perhaps realizing the meaning of my silence, she lowered her sharp gaze.

At times like this, the airheaded princess looked like Red Scales.

'Phew. What a life.'

Sighing inwardly, I subtly pointed toward Mine.

"Even if the assignment can't be helped... what about Mine? She can't even properly enter a dungeon yet."

How could someone who had panicked all week in the Spider Dungeon kill a person?

Alicia looked at me as though I had said something utterly bizarre.

"What are you talking about, Junior? Since when is a cult branch a dungeon?"

"......?"

Come to think of it, she was right.

No matter how centered Academy of the End was around dungeons, ordinary fields still existed.

If monsters only existed inside dungeons, humanity would have no reason to be wary of the Evil God's Abyss.

Demonic energy leaking from dungeons contaminated ordinary fields, so monsters did appear there as well, though their numbers were drastically lower. Dungeons and fields were clearly separate spaces.

'But isn't that just six of one, half a dozen of the other? Does her dungeon phobia really only apply to "dungeons"?'

No way.

Then Mine, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke with a perfectly calm expression.

"...I think I'll be fine as long as it isn't a dungeon."

"......Really?"

I asked in surprise.

There wasn't the slightest trace of uselessness about her now.

Instead, she looked like the Empire's Saintess for the first time in a very long while.

"Yes. And I don't think you need to worry too much about killing people either."

Mine nodded and added.

"The Evil God's followers aren't human, are they?"

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