Sakura Bullet

~In a Sword-and-Magic Fantasy World, a Town Girl Who Can Use Neither Meets a Pair of Handguns. She Just Wants to Know Where She Came From—Don’t You Dare Call Her a Hero~

 

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

“I hereby return your fate to you.”

With that single line, one girl’s story begins to move.

◆ Informal synopsis ◆
A lively long-haired black-haired girl adventuring in another world.
Plenty of fights and food-teasing.
If that sounds like your thing, please read Chapter 0.

◆ Proper synopsis ◆
A world after the Demon King has fallen.
A certain small town. A girl named Ouka, raised in a church where orphans live.

The heroes of salvation, summoned from another world.
Ouka has the same black hair and black eyes as they do—a heretical look, rare in this world—and yet she has always been a bright, forward-looking girl.

Her days are ordinary and unchanging, but she finds happiness in that ordinary life.
The church children she loves, the townspeople who are kind to her.
And above all, the days she spends with Sister Naria, who has been a parent to her, are irreplaceable.

Then, on her fifteenth birthday, a parcel and a letter arrive.

In the parcel: a pair of red-and-white handguns that should not exist in this world, and a small ring engraved with a mysterious language.

And in the letter, a strange line.

“I hereby return your fate to you.”

To get to the bottom of her own birth, and of the meaning of that strange message, she sets out by coach for the royal capital.

This is the story of one ordinary town girl.
Of daily life, of fighting, of cooking, of adventuring, of being given sweets by the people around her.

And, before long, of fairy-tale heroes and an entire country getting pulled in.

A story of days that will not sit still.

Chapter 0: Preview Extra

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/1/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

A pack of monsters in front of me.
Five combat magitech dolls. Even veteran adventurers are said to have a hard time handling that many without a party.

Facing something like that, my body shakes.
I’m scared. I want to run right now. Tears are about to come.
This is not an enemy a mere town girl should be taking on just because she was handed a weapon.
The sheer unreality of it chills me through to the pit of my stomach.
Ahh, I never should have taken that weird request at the Adventurer’s Guild.

Even so.
Behind me, there are still little children.
Kids huddled together, fighting not to cry.
To them, these expressionless monsters lurking in the mansion they snuck into on a test of courage must be a nightmare itself.

I have something I want to protect. People I want to save.
And if this hand holds the power to fight—borrowed or not.

There is no world in which I back down.

Fragments of mirror scattered everywhere catch my reflection.
Long black hair, black eyes. Slight, and short. Even I can see I look unreliable.
That is exactly why I put up a front and smile.

I draw the red-and-white handguns from the holsters at my hips and grip them.
I speak a single word to the ring hanging from a chain at my chest.

“Ring!”
“—Sakura-Drive Ready.”

A familiar, androgynous voice. I answer my reliable partner.

“Ignition!”

Continue reading →

Chapter 1: The Usual Morning

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/2/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

My day starts before dawn.

I get out of bed, change into my usual plain white blouse and faded brown shorts, and head for the washbasin.
I wash my face, brush my teeth, and check that there’s no bed-head in the bangs trimmed above my black eyes, or in the long black hair I wear down my back.

That’s me, ready.

Same as always, I head for the kitchen and make breakfast for twenty.
Today it’s red-bean soup and black bread.
Plain, but the soup shouldn’t taste bad.
I simmered in the vegetable scraps I was given yesterday, so even with not much in it, you get a lot of flavors.
I taste it just in case. Yep. Pretty good today too.

∞∞∞∞

On the way to the dining hall with the pot, the little ones start getting up.

“Morning. Go wash your faces, hurry up.”
“Okaaay!”

They answer in chorus and clatter off.
Energetic first thing in the morning—can’t ask for more.
All right. I brace myself and totter along with the heavy pot.

I’m setting the soup pot on the hall table and laying out dishes when Sister Naria comes out of the chapel.
I pause and greet her with a smile.

“Good morning, Ouka.”
“Morning, Sister Naria.”

Against the pitch-black habit, the silver hair spilling from her hood catches the sun and sparkles.
She’s beautiful today too. I don’t know why, but it makes me a little happy.

“It smells good again. You’re a lifesaver, every day.”
“You say that every day.”
“Hee hee. I suppose I do. You, on the other hand, still won’t call me Mother.”
“Guh… Ah, look, breakfast’s ready.”
“Ufufu. Yes, yes.”

Once everyone is there, we put our hands together and say “Itadakimasu” in unison.
Apparently they don’t do this elsewhere, but this church has always done it before meals.
It means we receive life, I’m told.
I don’t know who started it, but it feels kind of nice, and it looks well-mannered, so everyone copies it.

Today, too: Itadakimasu. Continue reading →

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Ring and Breakfast

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/3/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

What was that.
The ring glowed, and then it talked.

“Eh, what, a ghost?”

I would really rather not have ghosts in the church.
Ugh, my heart is hammering.

“…What even was that, seriously.”
“—Confirm. By ‘what,’ do you mean me?”
“It talked agaaaaain!?”

I scramble back.
Window behind me. Worst case, I go out that way.
Then around to the front and get the little ones out. Yeah. That’s the plan.

Ah, have Sister Naria exorcise it, or…
No, ghosts are probably too much even for her?

“—I am not a ghost: I am an interface for interpersonal communication.”
“…Ha? What?”
“—I am an interface for interpersonal communication.”
“Interpersonal commu… uh, so you’re not a ghost?”
“—Negative: I am an interface for interpersonal communication.”
“You’re not a ghost, then?”
“—Affirmative: I am an interperson—”
“No, that’s enough of that.”

An interface for interpersonal communication, huh.
You’ve said it enough times. I remember.

Anyway, I don’t really get what it’s saying, but… we can talk, apparently.
Also, apparently not a ghost.

“…Uh. Do you do bad things?”
“—Negative.”
“Are you on my side?”
“—Affirmative.”
“…Got it. Then I’ll hear the rest later. Can you wait?”
“—Affirmative.”
“All right… hup!”

I pick the ring up, gingerly. No problem.
It isn’t glowing anymore. Just an ordinary ring.
…Looking closer, what’s this even made of?
If it’s silver, maybe it would sell for a lot.

I set it on the parcel for now. No change. Hmm.
Well, for the moment it doesn’t seem to be a bad one.
I can’t imagine a ring could do much mischief anyway. First things first: do what I have to do. Continue reading →

Chapter 3: The Red-and-White Handguns

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/4/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

What I’ve figured out so far: apparently no one but me can hear Ring’s voice.
I tried hanging it from a chain around my neck, and at breakfast and during laundry, nobody reacted to it at all.

Is this thing really not a ghost. It’s pretty suspicious.
Well, for now, I should probably leave that part out when I explain to Sister Naria.

“So anyway, there was a ring and two handguns in it.”
“…I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“Yeah, I don’t either.
And apparently there’s someone at the Adventurer’s Guild in the capital who might know what’s going on.”

According to Ring, the sender, Glad, is there.
I’d like to ask for the details, but it isn’t a distance you just pop over.

“Ah, the sender.”
“I’d like to hear the story from that person, but it’s the capital. So I’m stuck on what to do.”
“…Hmm. What did the letter say?”
“‘I hereby return your fate to you,’ I think.”
“…Fate, is it.”

She looks like she has no idea.
Well, of course. I don’t either.

“Hmm. All right—why not go?”
“Eh. To the capital?”
“Yes. You might learn something about your parents.”
“Hmm. I don’t really care about that, though.”

Frankly, I have no interest in the people who abandoned me.
Besides, my mother is Sister Naria.
The person who raised a heretic with black hair and black eyes this far. My benefactor.
I’ll never say that out loud. Too embarrassing.

“I mean, the capital’s like a week round trip? You’ll be in trouble if I’m not here, right?”
“We’ll manage among ourselves for a while. And it’s a chance for the other children to learn to do more.”
“Unnyu. I see…”

I’m glad she’s saying that. But. Hmm.
Those who-knows-what ring and handguns are my fate, huh.
Sounds like nonsense to me.

“And, Ouka. You said ‘handguns’ just now, didn’t you?”
“Eh, yeah. I did.”

“Ouka. What is a handgun?”

Eh, what is… wait?

What is a handgun?
I don’t know any such thing.

“Eh, wait? Why…”

Why do I know the name of something I’ve never seen? Continue reading →

Chapter 4: Birthday and Departure

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/5/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

—Specified date has been exceeded.
—Playing message.

—Happy Birthday, Dear Ouka.
—Blessing To Your Life.

—Sakura-Drive. Download.
—Ready: OK?

“…So loud… Do what you want… mngh.”

—Verified.
—Sakura-Drive. Downloading_Now…

—Installation Is Complete.

∞∞∞∞

I feel like I had a weird dream. I can’t remember it, though.
Something like a bard’s hero tale. A grand adventure.
…No idea. Anyway, get dressed.

A little earlier than usual.
The sun isn’t up yet. Even the chickens are still asleep, and here I am swinging a pot.
Heave, heave.

If you dry-roast grains like wheat and drive the moisture out, they keep.
But they’re heavy. Relentlessly heavy. I rest between swings.
Trying to do it all at once was a mistake.
Heave, heave.

At the same time I smoke dried sweet potato in my homemade smoker.
This is a lot too. Smoking dried sweet potato makes it keep even longer, and it tastes better.
It’s just incredibly billowy. Smoky, but kind of fun.

I’ve also made pickled vegetables, salt-cured fish, all sorts of things.
With this much, we should be fine for a while. I want to think so.

Morning prep will be hard until they get used to it, whatever else you say, and having things they can eat right away should make it easier on everyone.
I made my own travel share at the same time, so it came out to quite a volume, but…
Well, fine. It’s a pretty spectacular sight. I’m satisfied.

…Ah. I haven’t made this morning’s. Need to add soup. Continue reading →

Chapter 5: A Pack of Monsters

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/6/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Morning. I wake at dawn, same as always.
At this hour, it seems no one else is up yet.
Well, of course.
Careful not to wake the girl sleeping beside me, I slip off toward the kitchen.

I check the coach’s stores: still plenty of potatoes and beans.
Hmm. I’ll make morning and midday while I’m at it.
I crush the dried beans, mix them with mashed boiled potato, knead with water, and bake, and it stands in for bread.

The dried sweet potato is… yeah. I’ll chop it fine and mix it into the bean bread.
Better if it has some chew.

The rest of the beans I’ll stew with potato.
Ah, there’s dried meat left. In it goes.
Heh heh. That should give us a nice savor and salt.

Now then. No laundry to do. What now.
Nothing to do. Well, I’ll skim the scum while it stews.

Still, I left on a journey and I’m doing pretty much the same things I do at the church.
Well, I do feel like I’ve been swept along.
When there are hungry people, I can’t help thinking of soup kitchens.

When you have something to spare, be as kind to people as you can.
That’s what Sister Naria taught me.
Once you can take care of yourself, you help the people around you next.
The world turns by repeating that, she said.

It probably isn’t all that pretty in practice, but those words have stayed in the deepest part of me.
Pretty words are fine. If you live them, they become true.
That’s a secondhand line too, though.

Anyway, it should be about done; I should wake everyone… ah, they got up, drawn by the smell.

“Big Sis, good morning.”
“Morning. Food’s ready, so go wash your face. There’s a well over there.”
“Okaaay!”

Mm-hm. Energetic is best.

“Morning, miss. Ooh, looks good today too. Thanks.”

As the girl runs off, I see the adventurer casually pinch up a piece of bread, and I stop his hand.

“Hold on. We eat once everyone’s here. While you wait, would you get ready to leave, please.”
“That so. I’ll go pack the bags, then.”
“Please. Ah, you merchants too! Come over here when you’re done getting ready!”
“Ah, got it. We’ll be right there, wait for us.”
“Thanks!”

Once everyone is gathered, I put my hands together as usual, and they look puzzled.
I tell them about the church custom, and they say that’s nice and put their hands together with me.

All right. Itadakimasu. Continue reading →

Chapter 6: Orc Barbecue

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/7/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

When I get back to the coach, everyone is worried sick.
They fuss over whether I’m hurt; the old woman scolds me for being reckless.
The girl comes clinging, crying.

…I’m really sorry.
I’ll make food again today by way of apology.

“I was surprised, though. Miss, were you an adventurer?”
“No, I’m not. Just a town girl.”
“…Well, there are things one doesn’t want to talk about. I won’t pry.”

The father looks at me with very kind eyes.
That’s not it. It isn’t that I don’t want to talk. I can’t talk, because I don’t understand it myself.

“…Ah, right. Could we stop by the river? I want to butcher the orcs, so if someone could help, please.”

As for how to butcher, I had the butcher show me once.
I remember the steps, and I brought a knife, so that should do.
It’s good meat. If we don’t bleed it properly and break it down, it’ll go bad.

“Ah, then shall I produce water with magic?”
“Wow, that would help a lot. By the way, is there anyone else who can butcher?”
“Ou. I’m an adventurer, more or less. I’ve broken down orcs before.”

The adventurer raises his hand.
Oh, as expected of a veteran.

“Then let’s knock it out. Seven of them will take a fair bit of time, though.”
“We’ve secured food for the road. That’s nothing.
Oi, you lot, help carry as thanks. You didn’t have to dump your goods. That’s a light price, isn’t it?”

He tosses it to the merchants with a bright smile.
Both of them are looking this way with faces full of relief.

“Ah, if that’s all, I’ll help. Miss, thank you, truly.”
“Without this it would have been bad. Let me thank you as well.”
“Uh… you’re welcome.
Ah, driver, please wait a bit before we leave.”
“I heard. It helps us too; I’ll lend a hand.”
“Then shall we all go. I don’t like leaving the coach, either.
Is that all right with you, ma’am?”
“Of course I don’t mind. Thank you for thinking of us.”
“Nnh. Then let’s go.”

The driver leads the horses, and we all walk to where the orc pack was.
Looking again, it’s quite a scene.

“Ah… ma’am, could you wait in the coach with her?”
“Let’s do that. Come, this way.”
“Okay.”

It isn’t a sight I want a small child to see, so I have the two of them wait inside.

Now then. Let’s work.

Continue reading →

Chapter 7: The Adventurer’s Guild

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/8/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Clatter clatter, several hours of being shaken in a coach from morning.
At last we arrive in the royal capital, Eucria.

First impression. Huge.
The castle, the streets, the gate. Everything’s huge.
The gate guard is huge too, while we’re at it. I could hang off that arm.
…No, maybe I’m just short.

Anyway, everything I can see is big. How many times my town is this.
A place this amazing must have lots of delicious food too.
I’m looking forward to it already… no. The goal is the Adventurer’s Guild. That’s important.
…Well, a little detour might be all right.

This is where I part with the people from the same coach.
They were all good people. Nobody asked about my black hair. I’d like to travel with them again if I get the chance.

At goodbye, everyone thanks me for the food, pats my head, and the girl gives me baked sweets.
…Look. How old do people think I am.
I’ll have you know I’m fifteen.

As for the leftover orc meat, we talked it over and decided to give it to the merchants.
There’s no way we can eat that much, and better they sell it than it rot.
As thanks, they gave the girl and me candy, and copper coins to everyone else.
…I mean, I don’t mind.
I just feel like I’m not being treated as the same age.

I’m a bit put out, but I pull myself together and go to the gate guard.

“Excuse meee. Which way is the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“The Adventurer’s Guild? Straight down this road and you’ll get there.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you.”
“Ou, you’re a cute one, miss, so be careful.”

Continue reading →

Chapter 8: Herb Gathering

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/9/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Back in front of Adventurer’s Guild reception.
The same beautiful older girl is standing behind the counter.

“Ou, Liza. Register this miss for me.”
“Certainly. Can you read?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Then please read this first.”

Uh, let’s see, Adventurer’s Guild regulations?
…Look, I get “refrain from actions that harm the guild,” but.
“Don’t do bad things as much as you can”—what is this.

“That’s because if we write it in detail, nobody reads it…”
“Ah, I see.”
“Keep those two. Then please fill this in.”

She hands me a white tablet a little larger than my palm.
What is this, I think, and letters float up on the board.
Ooh, amazing. Some kind of magic?
Ah, fill it in, right.
Name, sex, age… eh, that’s all?

“Miss, only three fields?”
“Yes, that’s all. Rewards and punishments and so on float up on their own.”

Oh. Super convenient. Then: Ouka, female, 15.
Is this okay… ooooh? Now the letters vanished. Magic is amazing.

“Yes, thank you. The tablet, please.”

I give the board back and am handed a copper-colored plate instead.
Ah, my name’s on it. Hoh hoh.

“That completes registration. I think gathering requests would be a good place to start.”
“Eh, that’s it?”
“That’s it. If you do something bad it’ll show on that plate, so be careful.
See the stacks of request forms there? Right is gathering, left is subjugation.”
“Then these on the right. Let’s see.” Continue reading →

Chapter 9: A Really Big Bat

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/10/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

About two hours out of the forest, we reach a small village.
Myura Village, they say.
A few houses dotted about, and otherwise lots of fields in rows.
A very peaceful village.

Seeing chickens and pigs in a fenced enclosure reminds me of my town.
The same quiet life as there. Normally children would be running around everywhere.
But the air isn’t very calm right now.
Everyone in the village is on edge.

…Well. If monsters have settled near the village, in the worst case you might have to abandon it.
You can’t spend your days as usual in that state.

The two who guided me look uneasy too, and watching them I can’t settle either.

“Hnn. Anyway, for now. I came to visit your house to play, and from here we get separated. Wait at home with your mother.”
“…Haa? No, wait. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Yeah. Well. It wouldn’t. It doesn’t make sense to me while I’m saying it.
But I can’t think of a good excuse. Can’t be helped.

“It’s fine, I’ll be right back.”
“…I don’t really get it, but don’t do anything dangerous. I want to introduce you to Mama too.”
“Nn, I’ll do what I can.”

I wave and part from the two, who look even more uneasy than before.

Now then. I was on my way to visit the house of two people I’d happened to meet, and I carelessly got separated.
What now. It’s an unfamiliar place.
For now, I have to look, right?
And that completes the excuse. Continue reading →

Chapter 10: Two Letters

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/11/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The moment I get into my room at the inn, I lock the door, set down my things, and write a letter to the church at the desk provided.

Dear Sister Naria,

It has only been a few days since I left, but I hope you are well. I am well.
I came to the Adventurer’s Guild to hear the story, but I will be staying in the capital for a while, until I understand the details.
I will be late coming home, but please do not worry.

The capital is large in all sorts of ways, and I was surprised.
But everyone I have met is kind.
I have not been able to see the city at all yet, so I think I will take my time looking around another day.

I will buy souvenirs to bring home, so please look forward to that.

P.S. I became an adventurer.

Continue reading →

Chapter 11: First Sparring Match

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/12/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

In the back courtyard of the Adventurer’s Guild.
Right now I’m facing guildmaster Glad.
Hmm. Fierce-faced muscleman with a practice sword and shield.
The intimidation is intense.

I mean, from the side, isn’t this a pretty bad look.
I’m pretty small. Glad is huge. His face is scary.
Having a sword pointed at me and getting glared at is pretty scary, actually.

“…If I screamed right now, I think you’d get arrested.”
“Funny. I was thinking something close.”
“Fuhe. You’re kind, but your face is scary.”

Why is that. The scarier the face, the kinder they all are.
He’s doing this for me right now, too.

“Drop it. All right, we doing this?”
“Uuh, for real… Ring, I’m counting on you.”
“—Yes, my master. Sakura-Drive Ready.”

“Ignition”

Continue reading →

Chapter 12: The Giant

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/13/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Today’s lunch was a sandwich.
The kind packed with bacon and leafy greens.
Crisp-fried bacon and the crunch of the greens fit together well, and the mustard was working; it was very good.
Delicious food is justice. That’s the absolute standard in me.
I’m grateful to Liza all over again for recommending this inn.

But when I go to the guild, Liza isn’t there, of all times.
I was going to thank her for the good food, too.
That said, what isn’t there isn’t there, so I pick up the stack of request forms.
Yesterday I only looked at gathering; maybe I’ll look at subjugation too.
I have to earn lodging until the reply to the letter comes.

I flip through the not-very-thick stack.
Mixed in with goblins and orcs there are kobold and wyvern subjugation requests, but nearby it seems like only the standing goblin request.
I’ll memorize the proof parts written on them for now.
I might run into something while I’m killing goblins.
Goblins and kobolds are canines, orcs are the nose, wyverns are the hooked claws. I think I can manage those with the knife I have.

Ah. I kind of wish I’d kept some of the smoked orc I made on the way here, instead of giving it all away.
But I didn’t know you could sell it at the guild… the merchants were happy, so it’s fine.
Hmm. If I see more I’ll hunt them.
Anyway, to the forest, I guess.

Continue reading →

Chapter 13: Delicious Orc Meat

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/14/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Even with the knife I have, the ogre’s horn won’t take a nick; in the end I shave it off with a mana round from a handgun.
It’s big, looking again. The horn alone is more than half my height.
Incredibly hard, and it looks like it could be a weapon. Not that I could swing it with my arm strength.
I mean, dragging it all the way back to the capital was about all I could manage.

“So, this is the horn.”
“…You. You pull something every single day, don’t you.”

When I submit it to Glad, he gets a crease between his brows.

“What. You told me to report.”
“I didn’t think it’d be every day, normally.”
“It can’t be helped. I couldn’t just leave it.”

There are villages and towns around the capital too, and that forest is famous for medicinal herbs.
If I’d left it, who knows what would have happened.
…Well, I didn’t really think I could hunt it.
If you try hard, things work out. Yep.

“That’s true, but… well, fine. There weren’t any others?”
“Just this one. And a few goblins.”
“Don’t call a pack of seven ‘a few’…”

The guildmaster covers his forehead and groans. Sorry, I guess. Continue reading →

Chapter 14: A Walk Around the Capital

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/13/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

I’ve been told in no uncertain terms to stay out of the forest, so I think I’ll go shopping in the city today.
What I want is a holster for the handguns. Hanging them at my hips they stand out like crazy.
I came all the way to the capital and I haven’t even gone sightseeing; this is a good chance.
But first.

“Ma’am, morniiing. What’s breakfast today?”
“Morning. Salad and sausage and consommé today.”
“Ooh! Bread too? Is there bread?”
“Of course. Eat plenty.”
“Yay! Itadakimaaas!”

Watched over by the smiling lady, I polish off breakfast and head out into the city in high spirits.

It’s still early morning, but the main street is already lively.
Just the people on this street might be as many as in my whole town.
Coaches and dragon-drawn wagons run down the middle; all sorts of races pass on the sides.

Humans, demihumans with animal features, short dwarves.
Long-eared elves, even.
There were all sorts of races at the Adventurer’s Guild too, but the main street has even more kinds.
Just looking at it makes my heart race.
You can feel it: the world is wide.

Continue reading →

Chapter 15: The Flying Town Girl

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/16/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Ellie’s father’s shop was on the main street.
Probably the shop Ring was talking about.
I missed it completely, like an idiot.

Looking closer, the sign over the entrance has a leatherworker’s mark.
An old established shop, maybe. The building itself is quite old.
I push the door and go in: the distinctive smell of leather and oil.
And a stubborn-looking old man glares this way.

“Father, I’m home.”
“Ou, you’re back… oi, who’s that.”

Whoa. No social skills. Exactly a craftsman.
But I was a little surprised.
Ellie’s father is a dwarf.
Muscular and short, slightly reddish-brown skin, and a splendid beard.
He glares this way while working on his goods.

“Um, she helped me.”
“Haan? You got hassled again… miss, sorry. Thanks.”

His face breaks at once and he grins.
Yep. Scary-looking people really are all kind.

“I just happened to be passing by. More to the point, I heard you’re a leatherworker.”
“Ou. Around here, if you say leatherworker, there’s only me.”
“There’s something I’d like to ask for.”

I take the handguns hanging at my hips.

“I’d like a holster to put these in. Do you have one?”
“Aa? Mind if I borrow them a bit?”
“Go ahead.”

He looks over the handguns he received, one by one.
As he turns them, looking from different angles, his eyes gradually get sharper.
…What. Is there something bad about them.

“…You, these are magic tools, aren’t they.”
“Yes. Magic tools that fire bullets of mana… I think.”
“‘You think’?” Continue reading →

Chapter 16: Just a Little I’m Home

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/17/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

My first trip through the sky was comfortable.
A little cold, but the view is so good I don’t care.
The sky is close. When I drop my gaze, I can see the highway below.
I start to feel like I can see the whole world.

And it’s fast. Not even comparable to a coach.
Clouds and scenery stream by at an amazing speed.

Uwah! Amazing! This is so fun!

About thirty minutes out of the capital, I’m back in the town I grew up in.

“Faaast. This is amazing, super convenient.”
“—Suggestion: descending directly into town is dangerous.”
“Ah, okay. Shall I come down before the gate.”

True. I am flying by blasting mana.
I reverse-thrust a little, kill speed, and land slowly.
Man, that was so fun. All hail Ring.
My hair is a mess, though. I’ll tidy it a bit here before I go in.

∞∞∞∞ Continue reading →

Chapter 17: The Holster and a Trial

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/18/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

After going back to the capital, I eat dinner at the inn, take a bath, and return to my room early.
All sorts of things happened; I seem to have been a bit tired.
I apparently sank into the bed the moment I got to my room; the next morning, my hair is in an amazing state.

I spend a fair bit of time trying to fix it, and in the end I give up and put on a hat.

I also got up late, so by the time I show my face at the guild it’s almost noon.
Liza is at reception today too.
I start to greet her and she beckons me over, a little wave.

“Good morning. What’s the matter?”
“Ouka, what did you do yesterday?”

She asks with a troubled smile.
…Yesterday? What did I do.

“Uh. I bought a holster and went home to visit.”
“Hmm… I don’t really understand, but you have a visitor. That boy over there.”

I turn as told, and there’s a nervous, noble-looking boy.
…Who was that. I feel like I’ve seen him.

“O-ou. Thanks for yesterday.”
“…. Ah, the young guy who picked a fight yesterday.”

He’s dressed so fine I didn’t recognize him.
Clothes like that—is this guy a noble.

“…I think you’re the one who picked the fight.”
“So, what? What’s up?”
“No, um… yesterday was my bad. Sorry.”

He puts a hand to the back of his head and apologizes.
He looks vaguely sheepish.

“…Haa? What, you came all this way to apologize?”
“No, it isn’t that, exactly…”
“Then what.”
“Uh… um, well.”

…What. Half-baked.
Where did yesterday’s attitude go.

“I don’t really get it, but I accept the apology. If you don’t have other business, I have somewhere to be, so another time?”
“Ah, ou… later.”

Weird guy. Did he come all this way to apologize.
Scrupulous, unlike his looks. Or is it exactly like his looks?
…Whatever. Anyway, to Ellie’s shop.
It should be about the time we promised.

Continue reading →

Chapter 18: Rainy Days Are Days Off

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/19/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

When I wake up, it’s pouring.
I can’t see the view outside the window at all.
Rain this bad, it’s hard to even leave the inn, never mind the city.

And so. Today is a day off.

I try organizing my things, but I didn’t bring much to begin with, so it finishes right away.
I genuinely have nothing to do.
I roll around on the bed. I fall off. I hit my head.

Nuoh… that really hurts.

I flop spread-eagle as I am.
A dark room, rain hitting the glass.
Mixed in, my heartbeat. Slow. Beating.

The day I came to the church was a downpour too, apparently.
I don’t remember the details. I only remember that the sound of the rain was terrible.
Just like today.
That’s the oldest memory I have.

Black hair, black eyes.
The same color as the Heroes in the picture books.
Why is that, I wonder.

I have mana, but I can’t use magic.
Apparently I have no power at all to control it.
Why is that, I wonder.

Among children with no parents, I was especially heretical.
When I was little, I thought it was a curse.

And I thought I’d been abandoned because I was a cursed child. Continue reading →

Chapter 19: A Kidnapping

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/20/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The next morning. I come down the stairs still rubbing sleepy eyes.
Breakfast is a big sausage in bread.
Is this a relative of the sandwich.
Tomato ketchup and grain mustard on it.

This sausage is apparently the mistress’s own, with all sorts of herbs in it.
No meat-smell, strong savor; when you bite it it splits with a pari and the juice wells out.
The sweet-tart of the ketchup and the heat of the mustard are just right; it’s a taste you get hooked on.

Muu… since I came to the capital I’ve been eating nothing but delicious things.
I have to work at reproducing them. Continue reading →

Chapter 20: The Knight Order and Training

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/21/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

I show my face at the Adventurer’s Guild first thing, and receptionist Liza is there today too.
Getting to see a beautiful woman first thing in the morning is a good thing.
The fierce-faced guildmaster Glad doesn’t seem to be in today, either.

“Liza, morniiing.”
“Oh, good morning. I thought it was about time.”
“Eh, what?”
“A named request came in. Here.”

She hands me a request form with a bright smile.
Uh, what? Request details: combat training?
Client: the Royal Knight Order.
…Combat training? Eh, named, for me?

“…Why is a request like this coming to me?”
“Your name spread after the ogre subjugation, I would think.”
“Ah… this looks like a huge pain. Can I turn it down?”
“The guild would like you to take it, but… no?”

U. Liza, that sad face is cheating.

“Muu. All right, I’ll take it.”
“Will you? Thank you.”

Ooh. So this is what a smile like a flower blooming looks like.
Beautiful people are unfair. In all sorts of ways. Continue reading →

Chapter 21: The Hero

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/22/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

“The Hero,” Toono Tsukasa.
Among the Ten Heroes summoned from another world, the strongest Hero in the world, holder of the blessing “God-Demon Annihilation”—a body that can stand even with the gods.
That he punched the Demon King flying with his bare hands at the final battle is a story even children know.
The picture books painted him as someone who should be called “the Hero” in the true sense: outstanding strength among the Ten Heroes, and a strong sense of justice to go with it.
At present he apparently travels the world helping people in trouble.

No fixed address, unemployed. Well, maybe that isn’t wrong.

By the way. Putting a knee to the ground and bowing your head is apparently called “dogeza.”
In the Hero’s original world, it amounts to the deepest possible bow.

The moment I heard that, I tried to do the same thing, and everyone around me stopped me with everything they had.
I went through with it anyway.

Continue reading →

Chapter 22: Heroes and an Epithet

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/23/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

◆ Viewpoint: Toono Tsukasa ◆

After she finished talking with us, Ouka greeted Gios and left.
She was a rather interesting person.
Her manner is very ordinary, the sort you could find anywhere. A bit rough, but a bright, good-natured girl.

That impression changes completely in combat.

She has no fear of fighting, and no strain.
In situations where a small mistake would mean a serious injury, she was smiling as if she were having fun.
Her technique was high, but more than that, her heart is strong.
Combat that natural isn’t something you see often.

That person will get stronger still.
I’m looking forward to sparring when she’s gotten stronger.
Part of it is that the way her heart is resembles someone I look up to.

I wonder where that person is now.
The one who defeated the Demon King. Our leader.

Kyousuke seemed to be thinking the same thing; when I looked, he was smiling wryly, which is rare for him.
I’ll ask Kanon again sometime.
I was thinking that vaguely when white mana started to swirl in front of me.
A high kiin sounded, an image gradually took shape, and a face I know appeared.

“Ah, re. Did the guest, already, go?” Continue reading →

Chapter 23: A Talk with a Hero

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/24/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

At the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Kuku… yo, ‘Night-Sakura Fantasy.'”
“I’ll kill you.”

The Second Glad Subjugation War, now open.
Liza, don’t stop me, I’ll put a round through that half-laughing old man.

“Don’t get so mad. I warned you.”
“Guh. But I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t think.”

I just took a request. How did it actually come to this.

“I mean, normally you’d take it as an honor.”
“A town girl doesn’t need an epithet.”

I mean, what even is a town girl with an epithet.
I genuinely don’t get it.

“If you stopped calling yourself a town girl, that’d solve it, wouldn’t it?”
“This is a point I can’t give up.”
“That so. Well, I don’t care either way, but ‘Night-Sakura Fantasy’ has a visitor.”
“What now… what kind of mess?”
“That. That.” Continue reading →

Chapter 24: Legion

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/25/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

“So that’s why I’m going to the royal castle.”
“You’re going again?”

The moment I try to head for the castle.
Glad grabs me by the back of the collar and dangles me like a cat again.

“What. Let go.”
“You, if you barge into the royal castle with no warning you’ll get arrested.”
“Shut up. It’s fine, they know my face over there.”
“It ain’t fine. Why are you spoiling for a fight.”

Why. You’re asking that.

“…Listen. I get passed around every single time, and next it’s searching for a missing person?”
“I get how you feel, but calm down. I’ll talk to the castle. If you’re going, it’s tomorrow.”
“Tch. Fine.”

When I click my tongue, the adventurers watching from a distance jump.
What is it, honestly.

“You… that ain’t an attitude a girl your age should take.”
“Look, I just remembered, I haven’t had lunch.”
“Then Ouka, here.”

Smiling Liza shoves something into my mouth.
…Nng. Is this apple pie? Ooh, this is good.

“I thought you’d be hungry, so I got it ready.”
“Hahihahohi-hahan.”
“Everyone around is scared, so be a little more ladylike.”
“Gulp. Okaaay.”

Continue reading →

Chapter 25: The Story as a Peddler Saw It

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/26/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

I’m a nobody merchant who peddles.
This time too I’d sold iron goods in town, stocked wheat and cloth, and was heading back to the capital with my companions.

It had been a decent profit, so we were chatting about having a drink when we got back, when one of us looked behind and shouted.
Goblin Lord, he said.

Ah, a legion. I don’t know the exact numbers, but I could see a terrible dust cloud and an especially huge boss.
Apparently they were after us.

I thought we were done.
A legion led by a Goblin Lord is fast on its feet.
Even if you run the horses on a wagon all-out, they’ll catch you in less than an hour. Continue reading →