Volume 3, Chapter 2.3
Translator: Kureha
Editor: Weasalopes
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「I see.」
With Haruna and Mio assisting, Hiroshi finished telling the events which took place at the construction site. Makoto, who has now heard the entire story sighed. An organization having an eye on them was one this. But attracting Dentlis and Alvan’s attention was a pain in the neck.
Moreover, the way Hiroshi told the story was very neatly organised. The story didn’t sound as confusing as they initially indicated, smaller incidents which were not necessary to the main issue has been trimmed down. For example, there was a conflict before Dentlis hit on Haruna. Or how there was a newbie adventurer who got in the way of the battle because they tried to catch Alvan since he’s a wanted man. Or just when the battle was coming to an end, Dentlis and Alvan started to argue (in reality it was more so that Alvan was teasing Dentlis for the sake of it). Like that, there were much smaller incidents which made the whole scenario more complicated than it had to be. However, as expected, Hiroshi was unaware of those incidents as he was avoiding the girls temporarily.
「So, this Alvan, is he hot?」
「Good looking enough that Mako would write up a smut fan fiction of him.」
「I see, I’m glad I asked.」
「Han’some ya say…」
Seeing Hiroshi’s speechless expression, everyone else looked at him with a strange look. Normally, Hiroshi wouldn’t take notice of something like other male’s physical features. Seeing that Hiroshi reacted weirdly to the credit everyone was giving to Alvan, they thought that Haruna might have a chance with him after all. However…
「Hey Haruna-san, can I ask ya somethin’?」
As if to hype up everyone’s reaction, Hiroshi asked Haruna.
「Um, what is it?」
「Durin’ game time, are ya absolutely sure that Alvan was a male?」
「huh?」
Everyone widened their eyes at the unexpected question.
「Sensei, wait a minute.」
「 hm?」
「Are you saying that Alvan is a female?」
「Welp from wot I gained, I thought Alvan’s a female.」
「Are you absolutely sure?」
「Ya really think I’ll misjudge a person’s physical appearance?」
Everyone fell silent to Hiroshi’s extremely convincing argument. Thinking back to Fum, whose gender was very hard to distinguish apart from her body type and her hairstyle due to her upbringing, Hiroshi was immediately able to tell that Fum was a female. Apart from that, he could spot a cross-dressing male adventurer with ease, even if they were a skilled crossdresser. Although this skill was coming from the place of trauma, his ability to distinguish other’s sex was something out of ordinary.
「Nevermin’ dat, who cares if Alvan’s a male or a female.」
「hold on a second!」
「Yeah don’t just “nevermind” this matter.」
Hiroshi casually cut off the important question which he has brought and Tatsuya and Makoto commented on it.
「C’mon what’s the big deal?」
「Don’t you think it’s a little problematic that a person who’s hitting on Haruna is a female?」
「I agree.」
「What type o’ people others are into ain’t any of our business. Their gender doesn’t change the fact that they were hittin’ on Haruna-san.」
「Now that you put it out like that, I really don’t know anymore…」
Everyone agreed that regardless of Alvan’s orientation, it didn’t change the fact that they were hitting on Haruna. If anything, the most problematic thing was how likely it was for Hiroshi to be relieved that even if Alvan becomes forceful, there’s no need to worry about unwanted pregnancy. But even Haruna knew that just because the other person lacked the male parts, it didn’t mean that she wasn’t at risk of being harassed.
Even if Alvan was a female and did the “thing” but didn’t take away the thing which Haruna wanted Hiroshi to take, she would still feel as if Alvan has corrupted her. Haruna never had a problem reading books where the intimacy wasn’t limited to male and female. However, it clearly indicates that she is straight as she was repulsed by the idea of doing anything like that with someone who is not male.
「But I feel like the two people who were hittin’ on Haruna-san today ain’t the forceful kind. So I think ‘t should be fine as long as Haruna-san keep turnin’ em down.」
「And why are you so confident about that?」
「Welp, if they were forceful, Alvan aside, Dentlis-san would’ve threatened ya with his social status and attacked ya a lon’ time ago.」
「Oh, I see.」
Hiroshi was a type of guy who had a phobia towards female, had no interest in 3-D woman nor did he like having physical contact with them. However, he was oddly sharp when it came to issues such as this. This is something which must be kept a secret, but Hiroshi had a well-developed analysis skill due to his phobia towards female.
「I mean you can never be sure that nothing will ever happen so how about we just let Hiroshi take Haruna’s first time?」
「The heck ya just say? Don’ say somethin’ so terrifyin’…」
「Terrifying you say? You really think Haruna would do something that bad if it’s consented? 」
「’T might be fine in tis universe but I don’t even wanna imagine the things I would hafta deal with when we get back. So, I couldn’t possibly lay my hands on some tis not 2-D.」
Azuma Hiroshi, a guy who would feel immense suspicion and fear even if someone initiated the offer. Haruna also understood where Hiroshi was coming from, so when Makoto brought up the suggestion, Haruna put aside the unrealistic hope and decided to change the topic.
「Come on guys, let’s put aside something like that.」
「Agreed, with Dentlis, we’ll take the matter to Farlane palace in the worst-case scenario ‘n bring in the court. With Alvan, for now, there’s nothin’ we can do ‘ight now. We’ll just waste our time sittin’ here think’ ‘bout it.」
Although Haruna succeeded in changing the topic, she was aware that currently, her face was bright red from the hope she had from Hiroshi’s initial question and Makoto’s blunt suggestion. She wasn’t completely fine with Hiroshi’s third-party response, but she knew it wasn’t the type of things Hiroshi could help with. So, seeing that she couldn’t really ask for any help, she didn’t have any negative opinion on his response either. Even though Hitoshi and Haruna were party members, they weren’t lovers. In fact, it would have been very unnatural for Hiroshi to bring up anything when he knew Haruna was very much capable of handling the situation herself.
「This incident, do you really think the Dark God Templar is involved?」
「I mean, looking at the situation I think it’s harder to believe that this was done by some other organisation.」
「Using summon type monsters was the same even with Barold.」
「The aura pattern of that person up on the roof was very similar to Barold’s as well.」
They brought up evidence one after another. Compared to Farlane, their method was very straightforward. However, they would have had broader activity range in Farlane so they were more cautious about where they attacked.
「But don’t you think something’s odd? Considering their way of attacking us?」
「I think so too. They were much slower at approachin’ us back in Farlane.」
「Do you mind telling me more about the incident?」
To Hiroshi and others who were getting all hyped up about analysing the information, a calm old man spoke up. To his words, they jumped up in shock and slowly looked towards the old man who nobody noticed him walk in.
「Apologies for my late introduction. I am the Head Priest of this Darl Branch of Igreos temple, Bordova. Would you mind telling me more about the incident you have been chatting about?」
To the sudden appearance of such a powerful person, the Japanese people had no option but to deep dive into the incident.
==
Meanwhile, in the family office at the Darl Palace.
「… You seem to be in an unusually good mood…」
「Oh, so you have noticed?」
「You sneaked out palace without telling anyone then you come back with that expression on your face. Of course, I have noticed.」
Sergio was the confidant of the Queen who has a habit of sneaking out of the palace often. Every time she has run off, her confidant has shown this attitude, so she wasn’t concerned by his attitude.
The Queen of Darl, Misheila was currently 28 years old. She was old, going by the basis of this universe. Yet she had a very feminine face and was a very elegant woman.
Her long golden hair weaving gently, the iconic tanned skin tone, and the well-structured face which appeared slightly intimidating yet gorgeous. Her physique wasn’t at Haruna or Artiem’s level, but it certainly had a curvy outline. She really did have an irresistible appearance.
Not only that, immediately after she was promoted to be the Queen, but she also had three beautiful children with a husband who she met through an arranged marriage. She was a very responsible mother as well. The eldest prince is now old enough to start engaging with political matters more seriously and for his age, he was very calm and intelligent. To such a responsible son, his mother was very dependent on him. After all, she has been slacking off on parenting apart from showering them with affection. It was impressive that none of her children has gone down the wrong path under such up-bringing.
「Come on, don’t look at me like that. You know how important this matter is to me, right?」
「If you were to just walk around the town under a disguise, I would not be scolding you this much.」
「Liar.」
Before Sergio could mention how they wish for her majesty to stop being so reckless, the Queen herself sent out a rejection to the yet to be spoken request.
「A being like you would definitely nag on even if I just walked around the town under a disguise.」
「I, I wouldn’t…」
「Furthermore, negotiation is something which a person states their doubtless opinion and without saying a single word, the status of that person stating the opinion is cemented. I understand where you are coming from. However, I gain nothing from listening to your advice. So, why shall I listen to your advice?」
Misheila stated as she showed an unwavering smile on her face. As expected of someone who stands in an equal position with the other countries, it was hard to win against her in a verbal argument.
「Either way, I managed to find out some quite interesting things about that group I had my eyes on for a couple of days.」
「Is that so?」
「Well this is information I gathered from classified personnel I have hired. Apparently, they have high enough combat skill to easily win against Gram Dawn.」
Misheila emphasised the word classified personnel as if to summon some sort of evil doing. Getting the implication that this information is strictly between the two of them, Sergio showed a bitter smile. Yet they couldn’t help but be impressed by the given information.
「As expected of the heroes who have saved Farlane.」
「Precisely.」
The Queen talked cheerfully, grinning widely like a child who was just given a brand-new toy.
「Unfortunately, it seems that the first contact has been made by the temple. Well, it’s not that we have any rivalry going with the temple, so I guess there’s no need for us to step in at this point. Also, if there was no falsehood in the words of Farlane’s royalty, for them to achieve their goal, they have no other choice but to make contact with our family.」
「Agreed.」
Listening to Misheila’s response, Sergio bowed deeply. Even from his perspective, he saw no issue in forming a friendly relation with the group which has saved Azuma Workshop. Both for the sake of the country and for the sake of Queen.
「That aside, those food which the girls were making at the stall were all very delicious. They’ve been active as Adventurer’s these couple of days. Though to be honest, I’m disappointed that they’re not running the food stall anymore. The one called fish cake was especially nice. I wonder if they will bake them if we send a request to them?」
「Your majesty…」
Even if it was necessary for the kingdom, Misheila’s taste and bad habits were something which was giving Sergio a headache.
The moral of this story is that Hiroshi needs to be more sensitive towards others.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m