Sleep Learning 9
Wind Avatar Guildmaster Mainz
Despite the unprecedented situation in third city Hairun, the Knights fled in order to protect the Third Crown Princess Ririade. Though Bern Fleet’s latest behavior was nothing if not a crime. If King Brutus knew that that Ririade had been forcibly returned to Varugoku, then the knights would surely be accused of crime. However, the upper cla.s.s knights such as Bern Fleet swear loyalty to Queen Ilia, which since ancient times has existed as a deterrent for the king. But if Queen Ilia speaks in their behalf, then that buffer will ensure their safety.
Above all, Ririade is not the daughter of the present Queen. Ilia was originally the second queen, though not a concubine. The former Queen and mother of Rirade died from a sudden illness several years ago. Ever since Ilia filled the empty position, the feelings between Rirade and Ilia have been extremely bad. Furthermore, Ilia governed/supported/supplied the Knights at hand, eager to prey even on the throne of the King. Fearing confrontation with Queen Ilia and her fighting force, Ririade fled the first city Varugoku to rule the third city Hairun.
Meanwhile, Ririade, though still restrained in the ropes despite her struggling, was calmly thinking on the report she would give to her father Brutus after being taken to Varugoku.
“Princess Rriade, please be at rest. We will arrive in Varugoku in about five hours. Then, you can speak with her Majesty Ilia after a long time. Ku ku ku.” (Bern)
Chuckling like a demon, Bern’s words cause Ririade to freeze. She didn’t know Bern was a part of the Queen’s faction. While in Hairun, he had not shown her such a manner. This was far too much, and she thought he had sworn loyalty to her. Her frustrated tears fell down her cheeks, dripping to the floor of the carriage.
“Oh my? What’s the matter? Shedding such tears…for the mother-in-law? Fuhahaha!” (Bern)
*Gatan!*
The horse stopped suddenly, causing the carriage to shake and Ririade to hit the back of her head strongly, and lose consciousness.
“What is it?!” (Bern)
Bern, opening the small window, called out to the coachman driving the horse-drawn carriage.
“Oh, Ah…” (Coachman)
“What was that? A falling rock!?” (Bern)
“This guy…” (Coachman)
In the direction the coachman pointed his finger was Guildmaster Mainz riding on the back of suspicious-looking spider variant monster.
“You are… Ah ah!” (Bern)
Bern jumped out of the carriage and the following knights readied themselves for combat as he pointed his sword to the waist of the old man. Indignation mixed sharply in his voice. He did not understand how he was caught after fleeing so quickly. Above all, his intense high/frenzy had been disturbed by the hands of Mainz.
“-‘s Bern Fleet from yesterday.” (Mainz)
“Why are you here?! We were way ahead of you! Blast it!” (Bern)
With Mainz looking down leisurely from the back of the spider-type monster, Bern’s screaming dissipated though his wrath accelerated. Though Mainz numbered only one while the Knight’s totaled about a thousand, in this situation Mainz was calm.
“One… rotten Knight. It’s just up ahead! But I’m sorry…well, from the beginning it didn’t go as you planned. Well originally Ja’s supposed to be like this six months ago with the Lizardmen, but that time Ja’s saved by her Royal Highness!” (Mainz)
“Says the old man! Those who catch him – killing, I don’t care! No, absolutely kill him!” (Bern)
“ “ “ “ “!” ” ” ” ”
The knights attacked the spider and Mainz holding a long spear. However, the spear danced through the air. The sound of metal rebounding off each other echoed around. Only one of the spider’s thick legs was dropped by the knights. The spear of a knight was repelled and he became defenseless, retreated backwards, he lost his life to two attacking legs of the spider.
The knights begin to flinch before the unknown monster. Among the many knights a person with the [Appraisal] skill screamed as he read the status of the monster.
– – –
Evil Wind Spider Tsuchigumo of Calamity
Level 444 Monster ranking SSS
A disaster-cla.s.s monster of the east country… feared as the “Wind of Leprosy”
– – –
“Hyiiiiii!?”
Upon hearing the status, the knights with skill destroy the formation in their escape. All the others shuddered in terror for their situation, leaving only Bern in the front line holding his sword. Mainz directed an expressionless face towards Bern.
“Who?! Why do you have that monster from the east country!” (Bern)
“Does knowing change anything? If you understand this circ.u.mstance the person will not escape death.” (Mainz) (「知ってどうするんじゃ？お主らの死は免れんぞ、この状況が分からん奴でもあるまいに」)
“ku ……”
Bern Fleet prepared for death. Seeing that, Mainz opened his mouth in admiration.
“Let me show you a souvenir of the other world!” (Mainz)
The accessory removed from his inside pocket rustled on its chain. On the emblem was an upside-down cross and a distorted skull. Bern fleet saw it and opened his eyes wide as fear wrapped his entire body.
“Avatar!? So saying, as for me…As for me! Did we always dance in different worlds?” (Bern)
“You barely understand at last. All your actions have already been decided from several thousand years ago. It was just rolled in with my secret plans.” (Mainz)
Avatar. Its existence is shrouded in mystery. Only that it’s presence is untouchable by any country is known, and that their upside-down cross emblem has been handed down since ancient times. According to legend, the ten disasters of the world which bring change and balance are known as Avatar. And, there was a country that was ruined in the last few years. The Platinum country which ranked higher than the Bronze country, disappeared overnight. The Avatars who did so, are feared all over the world.
“…So, this country has already fallen into your hands.” (Bern)
“If you talk of this the wind would carry the information everywhere.” (Mainz) (「さてのぉ これ以上喋れば儂の命も危ういしの 風は何処までも情報を運んでしまうのじゃよ」)
“You were the Avatar of the Wind?” (Bern)
“Heh. That’s, Ja.” (Mainz)
“Kill.”
“From the beginning Ja. Farewell, Bern fleet.” (Mainz)
The Bern Fleet who abandoned everything released his sword.
His body was pierced by spider legs. The remaining knights were frightened by the death of their captain, abandoned their weapons and fled. However, in a moment the spider reaped thousands of lives.
Mainz verifies the safety of Ririade. Fortunately or unfortunately Ririade had fainted in the horse-drawn carriage. If he had to erase any memories with magic, it would have been about Mainz being an Avatar.
“It is bad, but ‘ll have you stay asleep. When that girl finishes defending the town, my grandchild who you love will come here riding on a white horse.” (Mainz)
Mainz is just an old man of an Avatar who supports the love of his son Gin and Ririade wholeheartedly. To tell the truth, because the two had such a difference in status they did not approach each other, but were still drawn to each other.
The kind smile Mainz has when wiping the tears of Ririrade with a sleeve of his clothing is different from the expressionless self he had shown to Bern Fleet.
“I’m relieved. He can protect the city.” (Mainz)
Watching from afar, Mainz saw the third city Hairun wrapped in an enormous number of monsters.
AN: *The reason dream eating was triggered on Guranka.s.so of Bahamut-san,*
For those who wondered about Bahamut’s [Telepathy] being seen as a magical attack to Harumi during sleep, as it is used to talk.
Whether there is malicious intent or not doesn’t matter, dream eater can only judge if an attack is obstructing sleep. Therefore, [Telepathy] certified as a magic attack and so dream eater responded.
When Gin shakes the sleepy Harumi, the dream eater did not trigger because Harumi was not fully asleep. I think you’ll see this because he answers Gin’s interrogation while half asleep? We have to tell those that want to be adventurers. I think that it can be read that there was not a full sleep state. When harumi falls asleep during the fires and the dream eater activates he hears “fire skills [Sleep Learning]” as it is a voice that is always flowing! It’s strange but I’ve explained with care if you read the comments.
I was startled with thoughts in regard to the truck driver. Everyone has keen insights too that I liked. But, please be at ease. I have written only with this. Because it becomes spoilers above this…