Volume 2 Chapter 3
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I sat across from Ms. Winna in a calm, cozy restaurant. The table was filled with a bunch of condiments, but I had no idea what they tasted like, so I didn’t want to touch them. It seemed like it would be tough to remember them all.
”I was just wondering… is there a way to hide magic power?”
While eating grilled white fish, I asked about something that had been on my mind.
”What do you mean by that?”
”I have a magic tool that detects magic, but there were suddenly people appearing out of nowhere, like they weren’t there a second ago… there were a bunch of those kinds of magic.”
Ms. Winna took a sip of her soup, slowly swallowed, and then replied.
”Cherie would know more about that than I do.”
That girl from earlier. She still looked like a kid, but she was good with magic. Or maybe Ms. Winna just didn’t know much about it?
It’s scary to think she might know but is just pretending not to. If she can dodge my questions like that, I won’t be able to gather any info.
Maybe I should start with some common knowledge questions.
”This island belongs to some country, right?”
”Yes. Officially, it’s considered a resort area of the Minsten Kingdom.”
”What’s the population of the kingdom?”
”I’ll explain the history and details to everyone later, so please wait until then. If I say something personally, it might lead to misunderstandings.”
Hmm. She can’t even answer such simple questions; this is a pretty tight organization. Ms. Winna has been giving evasive answers, and her guard is surprisingly high.
I might have to give up on getting info from her and focus on that girl, Cherie. She’s probably easier to talk to than an adult.
”It’s starting to snow outside.”
Ms. Winna was looking out the window at the scenery.
”I’m worried about the people who went to the ski resort.”
As I was about to get up, she stopped me.
”Sir Hyakudou, you don’t need to go look for them. Please leave it to us, who are used to the island’s weather.”
I’d rather leave it to them than go looking and end up in a second disaster… but I still don’t really trust the people from Ice Eden. I’ve got ‘Base Magic,’ so if I get lost, I can probably handle it.
”Sorry, but I’m the type who wants to see things with my own eyes.”
Ignoring Ms. Winna’ words, I stepped out of the restaurant, and Hiiragi was waiting for me.
”Mr. Hyakudou, you should avoid acting alone.”
”Yeah, it seems like the folks on this island are a bit shady.”
I could get to the ski resort quickly if I relied on Hiiragi’s teleportation magic, but just to be safe, I’ll let her handle something else.
”Hiiragi, could you gather the others? Splitting up for free time might have been a mistake.”
Hiiragi chuckled a bit.
”I feel like I’ve been asked to chaperone a school trip.”
”…Now that you mention it, it does feel a bit overprotective.”
”I don’t think you need to worry about everything, Mr. Hyakudou. As I said before, if we die in Another World, it’s our own fault. You’re not responsible.”
Hearing that from Hiiragi made me feel a little lighter.
They’re just having fun at the ski resort right after coming to Another World. I guess having that little sense of danger makes life seem more enjoyable.
”That said, it’s not good to lose our strength. I don’t like being a guardian, but I’ll go check things out.”
Before leaving, I made sure to tell Hiiragi this.
”If you find Kashiro, tell her to analyze whether this blizzard is artificial or not. Just in case.”
After confirming that Hiiragi nodded, I headed toward the ski resort.
* * *
Using the magic detection necklace, I moved through the blizzard while checking the location of Takaizumi and the others. The blizzard had turned so fierce that I might have given up searching without the necklace.
”──Hey, Big Brother Hero, are you okay?”
I gripped the battle axe I was carrying.
A small shadow──it’s the girl we talked about with Ms. Winna.
Cherie.
A silver-haired girl with a side ponytail held up by a scrunchie.
”…I thought you were with Takaizumi and the others.”
I didn’t notice her getting close since there was no magical response until she spoke to me. I wonder how she noticed me.
”Sorry. Cherie got lost… I was looking for the Heroes. Why are you here, big brother?”
”I’m worried about my friends.”
”Did you come alone? You really are a Hero, huh?”
Cherie peered at my face like she was seeing something rare.
”I don’t have time to chat. Sorry, but if we have the same goal, follow me.”
”Do you know where they are?”
”Yeah. I have a magic tool that detects magic.”
”I see. Then I’ll follow you, big brother.”
She smiled brightly and looked up at me. She seems totally unfazed by the situation; maybe she’s used to it. From the way she talks, it doesn’t seem like it’s her first time meeting a Hero.
As we were going down the ski resort, Cherie stopped after we got a little ways down.
”Big brother. It’s dangerous ahead. There might be Demonkind there.”
”Then we need to hurry even more. I’m worried about my friends.”
”…I can’t go any further. I was told not to. I’m sorry.”
Well, I guess it can’t be helped.
I wouldn’t want to take a kid like Cherie to a dangerous place either. But leaving her here feels risky too… I can’t just abandon Takaizumi and the others.
Staying here is her choice. For now, I’ll prioritize my friends.
”Got it. I’m sorry too. I can’t escort you, but are you okay with that?”
”Yeah. Be careful, big brother. The Ice Golem is strong, so if you run into it, don’t fight it, okay?”
Cherie watched me with a smile.
I looked away from her and continued down the ski resort.
* * *
The snow was getting heavier.
As soon as I felt that, I noticed a figure approaching from ahead.
There was only one.
I tried to check the magic with the necklace, but… for some reason, it didn’t react.
When I picked up my dual axes and got close enough to see, it was clear this person wasn’t friendly.
They were in full-body armor that hid their whole body, with a heavy longsword. Even in this blizzard, wearing a helmet must’ve made it hard to see, but they seemed to recognize me just fine.
”Are you from Ice Eden?”
No response.
I quickly got my dual axes ready, preparing for a fight.
The armored figure stomped through the snow, moving heavily as they closed the distance.
I took the hit from the swung longsword head-on… and I was shocked by its weight. I could tell right away this person was no joke.
”You came at me out of nowhere, so don’t blame me if you die.”
I swung my battle axe with all my might, aiming to smash their longsword.
”…”
Maybe because I shattered their weapon, the armored figure paused for a moment.
I stepped in closer, ready to land a hit on their exposed torso, but──.
”…I’m starting to lose confidence. That was my full power, you know.”
The full-body armor caught my battle axe with both arms.
Even with gauntlets on, this was unexpected. Is this Another World really full of monsters like this?
If they stopped my ogre’s battle axe, it means they blocked it with pure strength, not magic. I might be in more trouble than Takaizumi and the others.
”──.”
When I moved my other battle axe, the armored figure jumped back.
”Looks like it’s better to take you out here.”
I felt a rush of excitement. For now, I’ll forget everything else and focus on this fight.
They’re taking my hits head-on without even trying to dodge──just my kind of tough opponent. I couldn’t help but smile.
”If one hit doesn’t do it, I’ll keep swinging until it does. I’m confident in a dirty fight.”
After all, I’m the guy who’s been losing to my big sister all this time. Getting my full power blocked is just another day for me.
I’m used to losing, and honestly, this is where I really shine. Even if big sister beats me up, I’ve gotten back up every single time. It doesn’t matter if they’re stronger. I’ll show them how stubborn I can be.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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