Chapter 110

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Clutches of Evil

「Finally…」

Hikaru made it out of the forest . Beyond the plains he saw the town of Borderzard . Smoke rose high above, but he could hear no screams, an indication that the battle was most likely over . The way back was much easier . After all he didn’t have to worry about any Earth Dragon anymore . Plus he was familiar with the path now too .

「I gained a rank as well . 」

Just one rank, though .

「I think things went great overall . I got an excellent loot and I was able to test the new bullets . But man, I’m starving . 」

He only munched on a bit of food this morning . He wanted to get back as quickly as possible .

「I hope I can have lunch with Lavia . I want some of her tea too . 」

Hikaru hurried back to Borderzard .

The black-haired girl stood firmly, arms folded . Watching her with a wry smile was a beautiful lady — somewhere between a girl and a woman — with blonde hair pulled up in a chignon . Selyse Lande still had her silver breastplate and protector on in case of a monster invasion .

「Quit sulking, Selica . You’re ruining your pretty face . 」

「But I can’t find her anywhere!」

「The Mage?」

「Yeah!」she said with an attitude, but Selyse simply watched her with a smile .

Selyse was only two years older than Selica, but she sometimes acted more like a mother than an older sister . Sophie and Sarah weren’t around, so right now they were working together .

「I’ve been looking so hard for her!」

Selica strolled through town while constantly looking around as though she was on patrol . She was searching for the incredible mage who fired a high-level fire spell — Flame Gospel — in succession from on top of the mud wall . By the time the fight settled down, the mage had disappeared . Selica searched every nook and cranny and even asked the guild for any information, but they had nothing .

「The situation is still messy . It’ll be difficult to find her . 」Selyse said .

Borderzard was in a state of chaos; the injured were being transferred, citizens rushed back after evacuating, crowding the streets, reports of burglars flew about .

「But I had my eyes on her!」

「It’s probably her cloak . A Mage that powerful would want to hide their identity for their own safety . 」

「If that Mage is an adventurer, I’m sure they’ll collect their reward!」

「What if they’re not an adventurer?」

「………」

Selica pursed her lips . Selyse stroked her head, but Selica brushed the hand away .

「Are you saying a powerful Mage like that is just lurking in Forestia?」Selica asked .

「I don’t know . We have little information about foreign countries . 」

「The guild staff said he didn’t know them . Is that even possible? Staff from all three countries are gathered here, but not one of them were aware of this person . Even if we assume they’re a noble, there would still be some info on them . It feels like if I let them go now, I won’t see them ever again . And I just can’t shake this feeling that I need to meet them . 」

「“Feels” this “feelings” that…」

「My hunch is always right, okay?!」

「So you say, but you sure get lost a lot . 」

「I’m just not very good with directions!」

They were walking around town when they heard an adventurer raise their voice .

「It’s the Four Stars of the East!」

「Thank you so much for your help! I’m so lucky to have fought alongside you!」

The ruckus drew the attention of the townspeople .

「Our combined efforts brought us victory . 」Selyse said with a smile . She was used to dealing with these types of adventurers, but something was different this time .

「That huge fireball was your doing, right?!」

「Man, that was so cool! Great Flame is a fitting name!」

「No, you idiot . Um…」

Apparently they thought Selica was the Mage who cast those powerful spells .

「It wasn’t me who cast that fireball!」Selica protested .

「I know . Since Selyse is called Sun Maiden, I suppose you’re more of a “Young Star” . 」

「You’re not listening!」

Selica tried to deny it, but the adventurers didn’t pay her any heed . Soon enough other adventurers arrived as well .

「You moron!」a smart-looking adventurer interjected . 「”Solaris” sounds much cooler . 」

「Solaris! The Solaris Mage!」

「Solaris! Solaris!」

「Solaris of the Four Stars of the East!」

The misunderstanding spread .

「I’m trying to tell you that it wasn’t me!」Selica exclaimed .

「What? It’s not?」

One person finally realized they made a mistake .

「But still that magic was amazing!」

Or not, apparently .

「Solaris! Solaris!」

「Solaris Mage!」

People’s chants surrounded the ladies .

「Like I said…!」

「I suggest you give up, Selica . Anyway, let’s get away from here for now . 」Selyse wore a stiff expression on her face .

Selica gave up on trying to correct the people . She thought it would all die down sooner or later anyway . Selyse pulled her away from the adventurers .

The people were still in an uproar, not even noticing the ladies were gone . The joy of their success in defending the town still remained within them, most likely .

「Did you feel it?」Selyse asked .

「I did . A gaze as filthy as sewer water . 」

While they were surrounded by adventurers, they noticed someone was watching them . They didn’t who it was . The person disappeared, but the revolting sensation remained .

Ever since they formed their party, they got more and more sensitive of people’s gazes . The four ladies always stood out . They could feel the emotions through the people’s eyes — curiosity, envy, lust, and many others .

「It’s not often we sense such a disgusting stare . 」Selica said .

Selyse nodded in agreement . 「If only one of our members who’s good at investigating was here…」

「Well speak of the devil!」Selica pointed at a figure weaving through the crowd .

「I’m back . 」Sarah said, her face grim .

「What’s the matter? Why do you look like that?!」

「Yeah . What happened? Wait, is the dragon coming?」

Selica and Selyse were on guard quick .

Sarah waved her hands . 「No, that’s not it . Sorry . The monster’s dead, so don’t worry about that . But there’s something I need to check . 」

「Same here!」

「Yeah . There’s a huge chance some rather vile scoundrel slipped into town . It would be awful to have someone like that around the next time we have to fight monsters . Can you look for them?」

「Ah, uhh… Hmm? Who… are you?」Paula asked, confused .

「Oops . 」Lavia muttered, covering her mouth with her hand . 「Does “Hikaru’s partner” ring a bell?」

「Huh… Wait, what?! Hold on a second…」

Paula’s eyes spun and focused back to one point .

「I-I get it now!」

「R-Really?」

「You’re crossdressing right now! My, you’re beyond redemption…! But that’s okay!」

Paula let out a strange-sounding giggle . Lavia froze . Apparently she thought Lavia was originally a boy . After some explaining, she was finally convinced that Lavia was, in fact, a girl .

「I see…」Paula looked extremely disappointed .

You’re the one who’s beyond redemption, Lavia thought .

「Now it’s your turn to tell me about yourself . What did Hikaru do?」

「I can’t tell you . Hikaru-sama said not to tell anyone . 」

Lavia nodded . Looks like we’re good . She won’t leak secrets that easily . I’m guessing Hikaru used the Soul Board to boost her stats .

「All right, then . I’ll change the question . Did Hikaru tell you to leave your friends? I believe I have a right to know . After all, me and Hikaru are living together . 」

「What?!」Paula’s eyes widened . 「Uh… yes, h-he did . 」

「Did he say he was going to take you along with him?」

「Yes . He told me to devote the rest of my life to him . 」

Yikes . That sounds like something he’d say, all right . He decided he can’t let someone, who suddenly became powerful through bizarre means, just running around unchecked .

「But you did something that drew people’s attention . I’m guessing that’s why the guild staff is looking for you . 」

「Yes…」

「Here, wear this . 」

Lavia took off her cloak and switched it with Paula’s . Her cloak was specially made with materials from a Camouflage Dragon . By wearing it, one gained the Stealth buff . Lavia could just use her own Stealth .

「Let’s move somewhere quiet for the time being and wait for Hikaru . 」Lavia said .

「Oh damn, I was right!」A man’s voice came from out of nowhere . 「Found the Count’s daughter!」