Chapter 48

Located in the northwest of the Ribel Kingdom there is a by no means large town called Attis. Although not quite a rural village, it has lush greenery and in one sweep of the eye one can see a lake spread out before a mountain range several thousand meters tall in all its beauty in the refreshing sun.

In that Attis, there is a small restaurant in the corner of the town. A little past noon, during a time that where customers are sparse, a lone girl raises her voice bitterly.

Aah, Why cant I pass!?

Sitting at the counter, although not quite drunk she kept repeating the same complaint.

Maybe because he couldnt overlook her, the owner called out to the girl.

You seem pretty mad, Jou-chan.

Of course Im mad! Even though I came all this way, how could it be blocked off right before my eyes...

Blocked off?

I want to go there.

The girl points outside the window at the symbol of the mountain range, Mount Giran and answers.

The shop owner reacts almost too surprised to that answer.

Eeh!? Jou-chan, you plan on entering Mount Giran?

What about it?

Give up! I dont know what your objective is but there are a lot of monsters in the mountains.

I know. Thats why theres a restriction to entering the mountain. For that reason I hired those guys to come with me...!

As she remembered, her anger returned.

Mount Giran exceeds 4000 meters with the last 1000 meters is always covered in snow; its the largest mountain in the Ribel Kingdom. Adding onto just the difficulty of climbing it, the snowy mountain is dominated by powerful monsters.

Thats why she hired 5 mercenaries to act as her guards. It seemed favorable until they arrived at Attis, but when she told them they were climbing Mount Giran they scattered in all directions.

Just that proves how dangerous it was, but she couldnt accept it. She paid half up-front but the journey didnt have many perils so she couldnt help but feel like she was ripped off.

At any rate, for various reasons the girl Lifa was angry.

The capable people in this town also turned me down...

With no spirit Lifa spits out the words as if they were poison. Seeing that a bitter smile appears on the shop owners face. Because they live in Attis they all deeply understand the dangers of Mount Giran.

It cant be helped. You need permission from the Knight Order to climb Mount Giran anyway.

TL Note: I believe the Knight Order is the Chivalric Order from the previous translation but Im not sure so Ill leave it as is.

The ones that give permission to enter the mountains is the Knight Order that are currently blockading the mountain range. They wont give out permissions to someone with superficial strength.

For that reason Lifa hired mercenaries, but since they ran away the problem is she cant receive permission.

Coming all this way and not being able to do anything.

Is there anyway I can enter~...

Rifa fell down on the counter table.

When she did that, the bell for the shops entrance rang as it opened.

Then a little after it opened surprise spread in the shop.

Sensing the disturbance Rifa turns around.

The first impression is black. A young man whos atmosphere was filled with indifference stood there. Looking at all the customers with distant eyes he mumbled something to himself. It couldnt be described as a good atmosphere.

Whos that?

Being caught by the surrounding customers tension Rifa asks the shop owner in a small voice. But the answer came from a different place.

Hes Harold Stokes. He carries the nickname Knight Killer and is the countrys strongest swordsman. Before he was called Bad Boy Harold.

Hmmm... And, you are?

Im just a humble traveler.

Sporting grey hair and honey color eyes with an androgynous face and voice. The traveler had a large inflated yellow hat that stood out.

Although the traveler seemed to about Rifas age she could not tell if the traveler was a boy or a girl.

Before that, Harold Stokes is quite an infamous name. Do you not know it?

Unfortunately his infamy hasnt reached where Im from.

More accurately, Rifa was a bit of an eccentric and was isolated in her hometown so learning something by hearsay is completely impossible.

She hungrily pursues her own interests, but anything else is shutout. Its her first time hearing about someone with the dangerous nickname of Knight Killer.

But for Rifa that kind of thing didnt matter. The important matter was the next point.

You said he was the strongest swordsman in the country. Is that strong?

Of course. To the degree that he could take on the several tens of the elites of the Knight Order and come out unharmed. His strength could be said to be near the current head of the Knight Order, Vincent.

TL Note: It is the same order looks like but Im too lazy to change it. So it will now be Knight Order!

So hes in the strongest class of humans then.

Rifas pupils glittered suspiciously.

If hes that strong then he could probably get permission to go to Mount Giran.

Oi oi, Jou-chan, it cant be...

Seeing through her intentions the owner tried to stop her but his voice fell on deaf ears.

Standing up with vigor she quickly walked until she was standing in front of Harold.

The 140 cm tall Rifa looks up at the 180 cm tall Harold. However there wasnt a speck of hesitation in Rifa.

Got a minute?

...Who the hell are you?

Im Rifa. Youre Harold right?

...

Harold doesnt confirm or deny. Just silence.

But his face warps in distaste. From the previous talks it seems hes famous, but it looks like he doesnt like that.

Feeling that Rifa continues the conversation.

I have a request that suits your capabilities. Of course there will be a reward.

Request, is it?

Thats right. I want you to climb Mount Giran with me as my guard!

Walnut colored hair done up in braids. A blouse with red as its base, a miniskirt with a check pattern, and knee-high socks; a set of clothing full of cleverness. Above all, her characteristic white robe that went down to her knees.

Rifa Goodridge.

Harold encountered the self-styled genius inventor that could be said to be the head of the loli department in the heros party. Moreover she asked him to be her guard.

(I just wanted to get some food, howd it become this...)

Rifa isnt from Attis but rather Weiss village. Harold isnt sure why shes here but since hes in the middle of a job he has no obligation to listen to her request.

He doesnt but strangely their destination is the same Mount Giran.

Although theyre only separated by 3 years he looked down at Rifa who had a height difference with him that was closer to a child and an adult.

With a confidence that didnt match her stature she gazed back at Harold. From the top of her head 2 antennae-like strands of hair stood up proudly.

A little brat like you wants to climb a mountain? Dont make me laugh.

TL Note: Although kisama is normally translated as bastard I think it sounds a bit awkward calling girls that. The literal translation of kisama is just a very rude way to say you, so Im going to take some liberties.

Even though I look like this Im 15 years old!

I knew that. Compared to her age, including her height, various parts havent grown well but its clear that shes around 15 years old.

That was the setting of her profile, too.

In the first place whats your objective? That mountain doesnt have anything like toys or amusement parks.

I want to get data on the body of a Hydra. If possible a sample too.

On Rifas words, not only Harold but everyone in the store lost their words.

The Hydra is Mount Girans chief. In short its a boss monster. Mercenaries and knights would only be lambs to the slaughter at most.

In the game if the party fought it around level 20 theyd probably win. But thats only assuming they challenge it in a group. For Rifa to challenge it alone theres the danger of her dying.

In the first place just getting to the Hydra alone is dubious. The encounter rate of monsters in Mount Giran was high.

Considering that it was the right choice to ask Harold to be her guard.

But I dont have any obligation to listen to your stupid request?

Im not forcing you. Ill ask others.

I dont think such a suicidal guy can be found easily though.

...a month or half a year, Ill keep at it. I have a reason to go that far.

He could feel her obstinacy. If Harold refused shed probably keep looking for months like she said.

But thats where the problem is. Its just before the start of the original work.

Originally if Rifa who met Liners group at Weiss village wasnt there, the original works party was in danger of being very different. In the game, when she joined the party the compound command became available.

If handled poorly they might not be able to make items and weapons. At the worst they wont be able to obstruct the miasma breaking out in the Sumeragi territory or stop Justus plans.

Her magic and scientific knowledge were important to the continuation of the story as well.

In short if Rifa is stuck at Attis the situation wouldnt be very good.

Then its better if he did his job along with taking the request and quickly send her back.

...Fine. If youll take my conditions Ill lend my power.

Eh, really!? Yatta-!

Without even hearing his conditions Rifa wholeheartedly celebrates. Looking at the girl in front of him he was definitely going to be dropped into a dangerous situation, thought Harold as he sighed.

Then before the conversation could be settled an interruption came.

What an interesting conversation.

A voice, like Rifas, that Harold was used to hearing from the game.

A casket cap and yellow overalls. Inside those clothes wearing nothing but a cotton wrap around the chest. And a packed shawl bag resting on the shoulder.

A 15-16 year old boy or girl that could be said to be beautiful for either gender stood there while smiling.

If its alright, I hope I can come along too.

Before he knew it standing next to him was the information broker Giffelt who asked without breaking a smile.