Volume 2 Chapter 17 Chinatsu Asakura Becomes A World-Famous Celebrity
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Something about this place used to be really scary, but now it just seems normal.”
”Yeah, I feel the same. Probably a sign we’ve gained some peace of mind.”
I stood in front of the garrison with Rira-chan. There were two locations—one to the east and one to the west—each housing a battalion. They regularly explored labyrinths as part of their duties, so the garrison was relatively close to our base. When I greeted a familiar soldier, they went off to fetch Kanare-san for me. The fact that we—without even citizenship—could meet the battalion commander was thanks to our old relationship right after teleportation.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. The battalion commander is at the training grounds, so you may go in,” the soldier said, guiding us inside.
They seemed like they wanted to say something else.
”Uh, is something wrong?” I asked.
”No, I was just wondering if that girl wasn’t with you today. Lately, she’s been practicing with the battalion commander and ‘Swift’ Weed-dono.”
(T/N: The honorific “-dono” here indicates a respectful, somewhat old-fashioned address.)
”Chinatsu-chan, you mean? Unfortunately, she’s busy today preparing for the move.”
”Ah… I see. I’ve already received the notice. You guys have been traveling back and forth a lot lately. You’ve been pretty busy. There’s big news, but I’d prefer the battalion commander to tell you that.”
Big news? Without hesitation, we headed toward the training grounds. Right after teleportation, we had gone through a lot of training here. Back then, some had complained about being forced into training and how unreasonable it was, but looking back, it was a huge benefit—considering they gave us free education. We hadn’t realized how fortunate we were, since we thought education was just something you got for free.
Well, I barely trained and instead spent my time learning to read and write, sacrificing sleep for it. I was seriously getting only two hours of sleep a day. I was desperate to learn, but it was shocking to see Shiori-chan learning at the same pace as I was.
At the training grounds, the familiar scene unfolded. Kanare-san and Weed-san were sitting on a higher platform, observing the training and occasionally offering advice to the soldiers. When we approached, Kanare-san noticed us first and gave a polite bow, still as humble as ever.
”Ah, Takumi-kun. You’ve really been doing great lately.”
”My apologies, battalion commander. I must have overstepped with all your kindness.”
”No, no. You’re the clan owner and head of the merchant guild, so you don’t need to be so formal.”
”Yeah, the gold coins I first gave you were mere pocket change, right? I do have an eye for people, you know.”
Weed-san grinned as he looked at me. He might seem like a casual old man, but as expected, he had once been the vice-commander of a knight order, so he was no ordinary person.
”Hey, Kanare. Show that thing.”
”Ah, right.”
Kanare-san smiled and took out a bundle of papers. I recognized it immediately—it was a list of rankings for this world. But the latest version wasn’t supposed to come out for a few months, was it?
”When there’s a big change, sometimes it’s released as a special edition.”
”Ah, I got pushed down to last place because of Chinatsu. Being 31st doesn’t sound too great.”
”Huh? Does that mean…?”
I quickly took the ranking sheet and scanned through it. When I lowered my gaze from the top, I found Chinatsu-chan’s name right away. Rira-chan and I looked at each other, confirming our shocked expressions.
”Rank 12, ‘Hakuheki’ Chinatsu Asakura…”
(T/N: ‘Hakuheki’ means ‘White Wall.’)
”That’s really Chinatsu-chan’s name, huh? Rank 12… that’s incredible, isn’t it?”
”Quite a cool alias, right? It’s one of those nicknames someone from the ranking board probably gave her. My ‘Divine Speed’ was like that too. Sometimes the names change, but that’s how it goes. I was called ‘Swift Foot’ at first.”
Weed-san smirked and added an explanation. Rank 12… which probably meant she was the 12th strongest person in the world. This ranking was known for being almost always accurate. Who could have predicted that Chinatsu-chan, who had struggled against goblins just a while ago, would rise this far?
”That’s not all. Keep looking at the rest.”
I was urged by Kanare-san and continued to read through the list.
”Rank 86, ‘Witch of Destruction’…”
”Ah… yeah, you’re right. There’s no previous ranking listed for this person.”
”Yep, those two are the new faces in the double digits. And they’ve jumped from unranked to this high. The whole world’s probably in an uproar about this.”
Weed-san answered Rira-chan’s hasty attempt to cover up with amusement, but I wasn’t in the mood for that. This was definitely Haruka-chan. The witch’s name was undisclosed, but the fact that she was a terrifying human weapon had now been revealed.
”Actually, that’s not all. Look at the very last one.”
”Ah, okay…”
I flipped through the bundle from the back and quickly realized what Kanare-san was trying to show me.
”Rank 962, ‘Flame Blade’ Ginga Kitou… I can’t believe Ginga-kun made it onto the rankings…”
”He’s always had enough talent. He’s probably started to shine now that he’s gained experience in the middle ranks. Congratulations, Takumi-kun. Now your clan has three ranked members.”
I panicked at Kanare-san’s words. Rira-chan, who was next to me, reacted similarly. It was Kanare-san who had warned us not to speak lightly of Haruka-chan’s existence, so what was this carelessness about?
”Don’t worry, Takumi-kun. Weed-san is fully aware of the details.”
”Yeah, I was planning to go play in the mid-levels with Chinatsu yesterday, but I couldn’t help but notice that silver-haired girl I met there. Then she was using the Agilaus Staff and casting magic that doesn’t follow the principles of incantation magic… Kanare, Takumi, your concealment is lacking. Anyone who knows what to look for can see at a glance that witch is something else.”
Ah… Haruka-chan, let’s be a bit more cautious… It’s not just Chinatsu-chan; she’s too much of a battle maniac to exercise self-control. Kanare-san, who received the warning, also had a bitter expression.
”Well, don’t be so tense. I’m about to tell you all some good news, you know? And it’s really good news.”
”That’s right. Takumi-kun, Weed-san is making a very meaningful proposal.”
”Takumi, I’ll take on the role of military advisor for your clan. Leave the combat department to me.”
Weed-san, stroking his stubbly beard, looked back and forth between me and Rira-chan, grinning.
”I’ve even served as the vice-captain of a main knight order in a nation, you know. You can’t have any objections, right? Of course, I’ll expect a decent payment.”
There was no way I could object. If someone as experienced and accomplished as Weed-san joined my clan, he would surely be able to rein in Chinatsu-chan and Haruka-chan effectively. But if Weed-san joined, our clan would have terrifying combat power—with three members in the double digits of rank. Even if we hid Haruka-chan’s true strength, she would still be among the very best in the world.
”Of course! If Weed-san comes, Chinatsu-chan will be happy too. Please, I look forward to it.”
Well, he might start saying something like, “Now we can have duels every day,” and get excited, but Weed-san was similar, so it should be fine.
”Ah, yes, thank you, owner. Actually, I’ve been thinking about training Ginga from your place as well. Magic isn’t my specialty, but even just training with a sword can yield great results. And there was one more person…”
”Is it Kotaro?”
When Kanare-san mentioned Kotaro Kano-kun’s name, Weed-san nodded.
”Yeah, that’s the one. Unfortunately, that ‘strong sword’ of his isn’t a type I can train satisfactorily. But if he finds a good teacher like Takumi, he could make it into the rankings.”
”This is getting a bit scary with how good the news is. Is this thanks to Hikari-chan, I wonder?”
Rira-chan whispered to me. “Yeah, I think so too.” When Weed-san called out to me in a corner of the market, I was still running around since before dawn. After all, it was Weed-san who gave me Chisame, and I could say it was also due to Hikari-chan’s ‘ageman-kyoku’ skill.
(T/N: ‘Ageman-kyoku’ roughly means ‘luck-enhancing skill’.)
”That’s true. I was able to report back during the visit to the graves again.”
As I remembered the graves of Iizuka-kun and Sakasaki-san in a corner of the base, I tightly grasped Rira-chan’s hand.
Notes:
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Haruka-chan – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Kotaro Kano-kun – 2nd Division leader. Pragmatic. The brother of fake-sibling.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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