Chapter 158: To the Scorching Desert
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
“That shoe fetish pervert left this weird note behind and disappeared!”
At Shui’s powerfully outraged voice, Ramis and Hyurumi rushed out from their tent. Director Bear of the Hunter Association also emerged from his tent.
The people who had been lying around me groaned and clutched at their heads from the commotion. I felt bad about aggravating their hangovers, but this was an emergency, so let’s ignore them for now.
[1] “Do calm down, Shui,” said Director Bear. “Could you show me this note?”
“Ah, um, yeah, here.”
Shui handed a badly crumpled note to Director Bear. She had clenched it hard [1] in her hand and it took a bit of time to smooth it out. Ramis and the others also peered at the note.
“Something, something… I have to leave due to personal reasons. Once I have settled these personal matters, I shall rejoin the quest, so do not worry. PS: Cherish your life and shoes,” Hyurumi muttered under her breath as she read out the note.
Although the wording was kind of flowery and excessive, it was not difficult to guess where Hevoy had disappeared to. Anyone who knew about yesterday’s exchange would know.
“I guess this means he’s probably heading towards Scorching Sands, right?” said Ramis with a little tilt of her head.
“Given what happened yesterday, I would say so,” said Hyurumi.
“What happened?”
That’s right, Director Bear was not present when the shoe incident happened. Someone should explain it to him.
After Hyurumi gave a summary of what happened, Director Bear let out a small sigh.
“I knew about his obsession with shoes, but it looks like there’s a reason beyond mere perversion. Do you know something about it, Shui?”
Everyone’s gaze turned towards Shui, surely if anyone knew something about it, it would be Shui?
However, Shui merely tilted her head in confusion.
“Um, I just thought he was a weirdo. He had been like that from the moment we met.”
If this was an act, there was no way we could distinguish it from his passionate speeches and general weird attitude.
I have to wonder, did he pretend to be a shoe fetishist while searching for his target via shoes? That way, if he established himself as a shoe fetish weirdo, no one would think twice about him staring at everyone’s feet and shoes.
“The fact that his demeanour changed after seeing those first-prize shoes. He must have gone to the Scorching Sands to gather information. I had always thought of him as a weird but composed guy. It’s just… I have to wonder what those shoes have to do with anything,” muttered Hyurumi.
“Should we go after him…?” said Ramis.
Everyone fell silent, none of us knew what to say.
There was no reason for us to go after Hevoy now that he was acting alone for personal reasons. If it was Hyurumi or Ramis, I would insist of going after them, but since it was Hevoy…
He must have his own agenda and was actively pursuing it by himself. Even if we wanted to help him, do we have the right to do so? Not to mention, with the current emergency situation, can we spare the manpower for it?
It was also the first time I saw true emotion on Hevoy’s face.
It was like looking at a whirlpool of conflicting feelings, joy and sorrow were entangled with furious anger. Thinking back to that moment even now sends shivers down my spine.
“I do have plans to head towards Scorching Sands soon. However, it is a bit of a bother. The heat there is unbearable, especially for species like us. We carry our fur coat wherever we go after all,” said Director Bear.
I guess that means Director Bear and the Big Eater party can’t join us? I guess it’s understandable since, as Director Bear said, they do have coats of fur that must be unbearable in hot weather.
“The reconnaissance team I had sent to check out the place should be back soon. It would be best to make plans once we hear from them…” [1]
“Director!” A staff member rushed out from the Hunter Association office. “The scouts have returned from Scorching sands!”
[1] “…Looks like we can start making our plans now.”
Uwaah, that employee came in just at the right time. The timing felt a little too convenient, but I’m not going to question it for now.
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“Everyone, let’s head inside. We should listen to this report together,” said Director Bear as he led the way.
We entered the Hunter Association hall and saw a bearded man in a brown hooded cloak. He had the rugged face of a seasoned warrior.
“Welcome back, what can you tell us about the situation at Scorching Sand now?”
“Yes. Similar to other floors, the monsters on Scorching went berserk and started attacking the village in great numbers. However, we managed to repel all of them. We also captured someone who fits the description of a ‘commander’. There were no issues with food and other supplies as the village is self-sufficient. In short, things were fairly normal aside from the sudden group attack from the monsters.”
So, they managed to resolve the issue on their own? I must have misunderstood the situation on other floors because I had been going around giving help to those floors. Still, it would be strange that Clearflow Lake is the only floor that could solve the situation by themselves, wouldn’t it?
“No wonder that guy was put in charge as the Director of Scorching Sands. He was the former leader of a well-known dungeon party after all.”
I’m pretty sure I have seen the Director of Scorching Sands before… He had reddish-brown skin with hair that stood on end. He was quite distinctive looking with his loud, Hawaiian shirts and shorts. A very summer look.
“Also, Scorching Sand’s temperature is even more severe than usual. Residents who had been there for a long time even commented on it. I believe that newcomers and hunters from other areas going after treasures would be greatly affected by the heat.”
“Even more severe? That would be difficult for Shimerai and Yumite… Hoxie should probably not go either.”
Even in modern Japan, the issue of heatstroke is a problematic matter indeed. Although the elderly couple and the principal were considered formidable hunters back in the day and were tougher than regular people from Earth, all three of them were quite old.
“Right, so Ramis, Hakkon and I will be going, of course. Maybe Shui, too. I would like Kikoyu’s party to come, but Kuroyata would not be able to withstand the heat.”
That’s right, dark colours absorb light and heat. I can’t imagine what it would be like for poor Kuroyata. Since this is an ‘Other World’, there is a possibility that he could burst into flames while flying. Botan’s bushy fur would not help either.
Not to mention, Kikoyu is a Snow Spirit. The general rule was that beings like Snow Spirits would be weak to heat. It would be difficult to get them to help.
“For now, they have sufficient combat power. However, they were also conserving the waters from the oasis,” continued the scout.
“Oa-SIS”
By raising the volume of the last syllable, I was able to convey my word as a question.
“Fumu, looks like Hakkon is unaware of this. The majority of the Sorching Sand Floor is desert, but there are a few oases there. We have established our settlement on one of these oases.”
An oasis town. Now that’s something that we should expect from a desert adventure.
“In short, if it’s a water shortage issue, Hakkon would be the best person to resolve it. If that’s the case, Ramis and Hakkon should head over to Scorching Sand first, while I scrounge up some useful magical tools. If I still have that water-freezing magical tool, I’d bring it, but…”
Hyurumi looked at Ramis, who quickly averted her eyes.
That must be the magical tool that Ramis had used to freeze the accumulated water over the crack before shattering the ice with her fist.
“What about you, Shui? You want to go with Ramis?”
“Mm, hmm, well, I don’t really care about that Hevoy, but since I’m worried about the situation at Scorching Sand, I don’t mind going. I can stand the heat.”
Was what she said, but judging from her overly emotional outburst this morning, it was clear that she cared more than she let on.
These two who had not joined the former Whimsical Fools party when they turned traitor may have a closer bond than we think.
“So, I guess Shui, Hakkon and I will be going first?” asked Ramis.
“Yes, I will head over later with another team once I have prepared the necessary magical tools.”
“Apologies for the trouble. Should you need anything, do let us know and we shall give you the necessary assistance,” said Director Bear.
Just like that, the party that would be heading for the Scorching Sand Floor was quickly decided.
Since the decision was a little sudden, we would not be leaving on the same day, but rather on the next day. [1] Once news got out, there was a line of people in front of me, aiming to stock up while I was away.
“I’ll need plenty of liquor and snacks, please. With so many people moving into Clearflow Lake, the dining hall had gotten quite busy,” said Munami as she appeared with a cart. [1]
Ramis helped load the things onto the cart. She was not obligated to do this, but was helping out as a friend.
“You two seemed to be quite busy moving about between the floors. As a shop owner, I would like it if Hakkon could just settle down and stay on this floor.”
“Umm, that might not be possible for a while. Hakkon and I have things to do…” said Ramis awkwardly.
“Now, now, don’t push yourself too hard, dear. You’ve always been a bit reckless, I’m really worried about you losing yourself.”
She may like to nag, but it was all a sincere worry over Ramis. Even though no one could see it, I nodded along with Ramis without arguing.
“Ah, but as long as we have Hakkon with us, it will all be fine. No matter what, he will protect us!” said Ramis with a grin.
“Welcome”
That’s right, I shall work myself to the bone to protect this girl. Well, I don’t actually have bones, but you get the idea.
“I’m counting on you, Hakkon!”
“Le-a-ve to me”
I shall shield us from the scorching sun rays and blistering heat that burns the skin, ensuring a comfortable journey for everyone.
The only issue is… would my points run out causing me to self-destruct!?
I don’t think I would be affected by the heat much, but I should think about maintaining a constant barrier before any malfunction occurs.
I won’t actually overheat… right?
[Gumihou: Well, machines and people overheating are real issues…]
[1] Adjusted text
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