episode_0011

Otherworlder ’20 Mana’

“…. Ah….”

“Heeheeheeheehee…”

Now that I’m used to this, it doesn’t bother me much. Aria and I had set up a campfire on the hill next to the ruined Bosca and pitched a tent, where we were trying to sleep. But these days, perhaps because Aria has been bothering me, sleep just won’t come… It seemed my deep sleep hours had been cut short because of Aria.

“Whew… Should I go for a walk outside…?”

The moment I was about to go out, I saw Aria following me, moving her head. Ah, Aria’s sleeping habit… Hah… I can’t just leave her. I carried Aria on my back and went outside the tent. Fortunately, I had trained my body enough to be able to carry one woman…

“Ugh… the night air is quite cold… Hmm…”

With Aria on my back, I took a torch from the campfire and headed towards the ash-covered Bosca. Bosca, now reduced to mere building skeletons, looked truly hideous. I’d heard it was a flashy city on the outside… No one could have known such a city would be destroyed overnight.

“They used stone construction. Looking at the unscorched stones, they used expensive ones…”

It must have been a city built with money earned from selling slaves. Should I think it serves them right, or should I feel sorry for them…? As I thought to myself, many thoughts began to surface. Come to think of it, since Aria has been by my side, I haven’t had much time to think to myself like this… By the way, did the man who made this city like this really leave?

“20 Mana-ssi! Are you there!”

In the empty city, I shouted in a low voice so as not to wake Aria. But only my echo resounded in the empty city, and no other sound was heard. Ah, there was exactly one sound.

“Heeheeheeheehee…”

“…”

Aside from Aria, who was sleeping on my back with a very satisfied chuckle… no other sound was heard. Most people seem to have left. All that’s left here must be… uh… corpses?!

“Ughhh… how scary… I should get out of here quickly…”

Corpses… Even in Esrad, I was afraid of seeing corpses, so I didn’t clear those piles of rocks… But didn’t I drink a Potion of Swiftness and easily cut down three people?… I seem to become scary when I’m drunk… I should be caref—

“Whoaahhh!! Did someone call me?!”

“Aaaahhh!!”

What the heck, you startled me?! As someone suddenly shot up from the ashes next to me and shouted, I also screamed in surprise. Then, Aria’s laughter, which had been sleeping on my back, stopped. Aria then got off my back and shouted.

“Who is it!!! Who dares to harm Zeke-nim!!”

“Ugh… what… I fell asleep without realizing it… Huh?”

“Oh.”

…You said you left, Aria. The man who rose from the ashes was none other than 20 Mana. What is this person doing in the ashes… Wait… Does that mean he’s been in these ashes from midnight until dawn?

“20 Mana, didn’t you leave?!”

“Uh… that voice… Is that the Explorer? Ugh… I did put out all the fires, but I guess the fatigue built up so much that I just collapsed right there…”

“Don’t lie to me—?”

Just as Aria was about to yell at 20 Mana, she cocked her head upon seeing something else beside him. What did she see that made her stop so suddenly? Huh?

“Ah… let me explain, Explorer. This is a beastkin boy who was enslaved here. I found him by chance while putting out the fires.”

Next to the man was a beastkin boy with short brown hair. A beastkin who was a slave, huh… It seemed Bosca had kidnapped not only humans but also other races to make them slaves. This is new information for the records, but… it’s very unpleasant.

“I see… But you said your nickname is 20 Mana, right? Because you possess strength close to that of twenty ordinary people…”

“Oh? That’s right. It’s a nickname others gave me. Why do you ask?”

“For Aria and me, we call it ‘strength,’ not ‘mana.’ Aria, what do you call ‘strength’?”

“I call strength, strength, of course?”

“Ah, that. It’s like how different countries have different notations; other worlds use different terms. In the world I lived in, strength is referred to as energy or mana.”

“Ah… I see… But… are you really an Otherworlder?”

“As I said before, it’s up to you to believe it or not. I’ve seen many who couldn’t believe it. So, the judgment is yours, Explorer. You just have to believe it.”

“…. That’s a truly difficult explanation. Aria, do you understand?”

“Not at all… But isn’t it like how I love Zeke-nim, ooh?”

Aria suddenly looked at me with an enraptured expression. Now what’s making you react like that again? Then I heard someone’s laughter. It was 20 Mana’s laughter.

“Hahahaha! I know that feeling well, Explorer! You must be very tired too, right?”

“What nonsense! Zeke-nim is actually full of energy thanks to me! You, who know nothing, please butt out!”

“Hahahahaha!! What an audacious Saintess. I used to have a personality like that too… or did I?”

“…. Can’t you please just stick to one thing?”

“Haha… By the way, this Saintess’s nickname… is it ‘Black Saintess’?”

“Uh… Yes. How did you know?”

“Even in our world, a Saintess wearing black is rare… no, non-existent. It’s unusual, so I just made a guess.”

“Hoo… To be able to predict something like that. Do you also enjoy exploring like me?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m traveling to other worlds. But since I caused trouble here, I should leave soon… So, Explorer. I have a favor to ask.”

“Huh?”

“I need to leave this world quickly. If it’s not too much trouble, could you take this child home?”

20 Mana patted the trembling beastkin child’s back as he spoke. I thought he was going to ask me to accompany him or something… I can probably do that much—

“No way!”

“Huh?”

Huh…? Suddenly, Aria refused loudly. Why this time? He’s a boy, so it’s fine, isn’t it, Aria…?

“Can you explain why not, Black Saintess…?”

“Only I belong by Zeke-nim’s side! Whether it’s a woman, a man, or a child…! I can never let anyone else be by Zeke-nim’s side…! Never!!!”

“Ah… Aria, but…”

“No, Zeke-nim! Absolutely not! Only I can look at Zeke-nim alone… I absolutely cannot tolerate others looking at Zeke-nim… I cannot forgive it!!”

“But he’s a boy… Even if he comes along, you’ll be the only one looking at me, won’t you?”

“Th-that’s right! I’m a boy, so it doesn’t matter!”

Suddenly, the trembling beastkin child mustered up courage and shouted at Aria. Aria looked at the beastkin child with fierce eyes, and not to be outdone, the child also scowled and glared fiercely back at Aria. What am I, exactly, for them to fight over me like this…

“Aria, he’s still pitiful… Let’s take him to where he lives…”

“It might be a faraway place! No way!”

“Ugh…. Child, do you know where you used to live?”

“A-are you really taking me?!”

“No….”

“J-just tell me first….”

Ughhh… trying to stop Aria and trying to hear where the child lived, I’m losing my mind. In the midst of my confusion, 20 Mana looked apologetic, avoiding my gaze. Don’t just stand there, help me, you human! You’re the one who asked for help!!!

“Ka… Kartoon! I came from there!”

“Ughhh… Ka… Kartoon? Ah… I see. Just a moment…. Aria, calm down!”

“Ughhhh… No! Neverrr!!!”

Who could ever break that stubbornness… I quickly unfolded the map and began searching for Kartoon. Kartoon’s location…. Oh! This is a miracle!!

“Ah…. Aria! Alteon! It’s right past Alteon, our next destination! Is that okay!?”

“….Whew… I don’t want to give in, but since Zeke-nim is so desperate… Alright…”

Aria seemed deflated by my reaction, bowed her head, and let out a deep sigh. Cheer up, Aria…. You’ll just smile happily if I pat your back again…!! And indeed, when I patted Aria’s back, she grinned widely while still bowing her head. After the small commotion passed, 20 Mana spoke to me.

“Oh dear…. You’re having a lot of trouble, Explorer…”

“…. Well, it might become my daily life now… Anyway, don’t worry, 20 Mana, we’ll take this child to Kartoon.”

“Ah… it was short, but a truly enjoyable time. It’s surprising that there’s such a good person like you in this world… But Explorer. The last Saintess of Esrad I saw in your book earlier…”

“Yes. It’s Aria.”

“…. I see… Now I understand why the Black Saintess reacted that way…”

“…?! You understand that?!”

“Yes. Black Saintess, you love this Explorer very much, don’t you?”

“Of course!! No one can disparage Zeke-nim…! If there’s anyone who disparages him, I’ll kill them…!! That’s how much I love Zeke-nim!!”

“Whew… I pretty much understand what happened between you two. You’re truly amazing, Explorer.”

“Ah… that’s because I said something strange when I was drunk…”

“…. What?”

I told 20 Mana everything that had happened. I saw 20 Mana’s amazed expression gradually stiffen. Well, I couldn’t exactly predict this reaction. But… the child’s expression next to 20 Mana also began to stiffen.

“So… it was words of encouragement spoken while drunk?”

“Yes.”

“And the Black Saintess… almost actually killed someone…?”

“Yes.”

“…. Explorer… you really need to be careful….”

“I guess so….”

“That’s right! But I’ll protect Zeke-nim, so there’s nothing to worry about!”

…. I need to be careful of *you*… I’m afraid that you, and others because of you, might get hurt. 20 Mana seemed to think the same, looking at Aria with the same expression as mine. Then 20 Mana let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.

“Alright then… you said you don’t like being famous, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then I won’t tell anyone about you. Since it seems you dislike being bothered.”

“Thank you. Oh, but… can you really not tell me your real name?”

“No. It’s a rule, so I can’t help it. I’m sorry I can’t tell you that, Explorer. And… Black Saintess.”

“Yes? Why did you call me? So annoyingly…”

“…. Why? Does it annoy you when another man calls you?”

“Of course.”

…. You’re quite something, Aria, to say that so boldly. Perhaps flustered by Aria’s reaction, 20 Mana and the beastkin child also froze on the spot. Then 20 Mana let out a deep sigh and spoke to Aria.

“You’re not interested in gods or the world, are you?”

“No. It’s only Zeke-nim. Because I only look at Zeke-nim.”

“Right… keep loving him well… And child. Follow these people.”

“…. What about you, mister?”

“Why? Don’t you trust them?”

“Yeah. Especially that sister. She’s too scary.”

“Hehehe… But I’m kind to Zeke-nim, aren’t I?”

…. I’m scared of you too, Aria. Even though I’ve barely managed to persuade Aria to accompany me and do various things so far, I can feel her reactions growing stronger. Perhaps even I might not be able to stop Aria. Later, I’ll have to give Aria what she wants… Otherwise, she might actually kill me too…

“But that Explorer brother made a promise, so you don’t have to worry. I’m sorry I can’t take you home myself, mister…”

“…. But still, you saved me, mister. If it weren’t for you, I would have been crushed by the building. Thank you, mister.”

“Alright… Thanks for understanding. Well then… Explorer!”

“Huh?”

20 Mana suddenly stood up and threw a pouch at me. What is this? I opened the pouch and checked inside; it contained several monster crystal stones. These are harder to obtain than magic stones…?

“I heard that’s used as currency here. Is that right?”

“Ah… Yes.”

“It’s a thank you for taking care of this child. And though it was a short time, it was enjoyable, Explorer. I have to go to another world now. Well… that too…”

“Believe it or not… right?”

“Correct. But it might be good to keep open the possibility that other worlds exist, Explorer. Then I’m off! I pray you live long and complete your exploration of Krentid World!!!”

20 Mana ran off somewhere, waving his hand at me. I also waved back at him. Well… perhaps because we had an interesting conversation, I seem to have grown fond of him. Alright… then….

“Child. By the way, what’s your name? And what’s your race?”

“I’m Karina. A ca… cat beastkin!”

“Alright… Ah, don’t be nervous. We won’t harass you like the people of Bosca…..”

“It’s not that, it’s the person next to me…”

“…”

I see. It wasn’t me Karina was afraid of. To be precise, Karina was frightened by Aria’s dark smile, who was still unable to hide her discomfort at having a companion. Whew… Maybe it was a mistake to say I’d take Karina… But she’s pitiful…

“Oops….”

“Ah, Zeke-nim!”

As I swayed, Aria caught me. It seems I’m getting sleepy again… Indeed… I’ve been talking for over 20 minutes, so fatigue must have built up again… But where is that laughter coming from again…

“Heeheeheeheehee…..”

…. Are you making that sound just because you caught me, Aria… At this rate, it’s almost perverted… I wasn’t the only one dumbfounded by Aria’s reaction. Looking next to me, Karina was also staring, seemingly dumbfounded.

“Ugh… let’s go back to the tent quickly. The tent is big enough for Karina too…”

“Karina too, in the tent…?!”

“…. You allowed it…”

“…. Th-that’s right… I would never lie to Zeke-nim…. Ha… haha…”

…. Don’t think of hiding your anger with a smile like that…. That’s even scarier… Sigh… it was enough for me to be the only one scared by Aria’s reactions.

“Aaaah… the sister is scary….”

Now I have a companion to be scared with. This journey…. Will it really be okay…

“Let’s hurry back…. It’s a bit unsettling here, probably because people died in this place…”

“Ah, yes! Let’s go quickly!”

“Alright…. Huh?”

What? My eyes suddenly widened. No… Aria is holding me?! Aria lifted me cleanly with both hands and immediately began to return to the tent at a fast pace, and Karina also hurried to follow Aria…. I’ve lived my whole life, and now I’m being lifted by a woman. No one ever did that except my mother…