Absolutely Do Not Touch ELdmia Egga – Chapter 152

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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While we shared the amusement of having thoroughly outwitted the guild master of Riviel, the meal that arrived was modest.

Unlike myself and Asirye, who had flown in that morning, the four of them had been up all night, leaving them with little appetite.

They ate more out of a sense of professional duty, forcing down sustenance to replenish their energy.

Despite this, the earlier events allowed them to maintain a cheerful atmosphere.

“I couldn’t pull it off myself, but it was quite the experience. Like Asirye said, it was like a thug shaking down a merchant, but the logic was sound. Some people only respond to that kind of approach.”

“Best to avoid those kinds of people altogether, though.”

Rellie and Yekaterina nodded, understanding why I had acted as I did.

While Asirye, still embarrassed by my behavior, nudged me in the ribs, Gaendal, having finished his soup, spoke in a serious tone.

“By the way, what do you make of the guild master? Do you think he’s connected to… your reason for attacking the mercenaries?”

As expected of a seasoned adventurer, he was perceptive.

He had clearly recognized that my earlier mention of the rebellion had been purely situational and was choosing his words carefully.

I had been considering this myself, so I shook my head immediately.

“I’m skeptical. I think it’s more likely that some Riviel official wanted to reap benefits without fulfilling their duties.”

Finding unauthorized refugee settlements and taxing them was one thing, but for the city, processing villages that voluntarily sought recognition and offered to pay taxes was another.

This was near the capital, after all, and most taxes went to the royal family.

Even if the city diligently supported, built, and helped settle these villages, they would barely break even.

In wartime, they might even lose money.

While the city wasn’t entirely without its cut, it was a high-risk, low-return task.

“Perhaps they accepted bribes to expedite the process. Then, to erase the evidence of their corruption, they sold the information to those connected to slave traders, allowing them to wipe out the villages. Of course, I can’t be certain.”

“But finding those settlements wouldn’t have been easy…”

“That’s where the capital nobles’ connections come into play. It wouldn’t have been that difficult if they set their minds to it.”

From Count Bosha’s perspective, gaining influence over the cities around the capital would have been beneficial.

He would have certainly made some attempts.

Even if he couldn’t sway the city lords, a few high-ranking officials might have been tempted by his offers.

At this point, Yekaterina asked, surprised.

“You were gone for over a week. Seems like you were involved in something big.”

“Uh… you could say that. But what about you? Did something happen? You sounded like you were looking for me.”

Explaining my adventures in the Empire, the dizzying whirlwind of events, felt premature.

I smoothly changed the subject, and Rellie answered, easily diverting the conversation.

“We realized we worked well together during the abandoned dungeon incident. It felt like a waste to just part ways after one job, so we talked about forming a party.”

“Oh…”

“We couldn’t find you, so we started without you. We were hoping to invite you on this request as well.”

I hadn’t realized these discussions had taken place while I was in the Empire.

We had worked well together; it was a textbook example of a successful party.

Asirye, unaware of these events, tilted her head and asked.

“Abandoned dungeon?”

“Uh… there was a request I handled before I helped Levi. I formed a party with these adventurers, and it went very smoothly.”

“Aha.”

Asirye, having picked up on the fact that I had referred to Lagnis as Levi, seemed to understand what I was and wasn’t saying.

She simply gave a short exclamation and didn’t press further.

Her years of experience showed in her ability to avoid potential missteps.

However, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by an unexpected, well-meaning question.

“By the way, are you alright? Concussions can be problematic later on. You were caught in quite a large explosion.”

Ginh’s casual concern sent a shiver down my spine.

“…Explosion?”

“Oh, Asirye hasn’t heard yet. This friend of ours acted quite heroically.”

“Ha, ha ha. Ginh, really… I didn’t do anything…”

I tried to subtly steer the conversation away from the topic, but everyone except Ginh seemed to notice my discomfort.

“Don’t be ridiculous! It was no exaggeration. Later, we heard he followed a mage through a gate without hesitation and was caught in a massive explosion. He went flying! He bounced three times before he stopped! It was that big!”

“Ha ha! Ginh, you’re exaggerating!”

“…Hee hee. Eldi, really… Dwarves don’t exaggerate. I haven’t heard this story either. What happened?”

Oh no.

Asirye was going to collapse again…!

“Exaggeration? Nonsense! Apparently, he discovered a magical bomb that was being created on the other side of the gate and detonated it on the spot. He was caught in the blast. It could have been dangerous for everyone around, but he saved the day!”

Ginh winked at me confidently, as if saying, “I’m being discreet. It was a confidential request, so I’m just omitting the details!”

I wanted to cry.

“Sis? You said you’d respect my decisions…”

Asirye responded by hitting me hard on the back.

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Fortunately, I wasn’t subjected to a continuous barrage of back-smacks throughout the meal, but her glare made it clear she was only holding back because of the others.

I imagined she was mentally beating me black and blue.

I, too, couldn’t explain about the mana circuit I had gained, and could only promise to tell her later.

I should have explained it properly earlier, but recent events had kept me busy, leading to this unfortunate situation.

I couldn’t exactly say, “I can see the lines now,” either.

Asirye would definitely be concerned.

I had to explain it to her properly later.

Finally, after receiving an awkward look from Ginh, who had finally grasped the situation, I promised to explain everything later and managed to appease Asirye.

“Ahem, ahem. My apologies. I was thinking like a dwarf.”

Of course, if a dwarf’s family member risked their life for a great achievement, they wouldn’t smack them; they’d throw a celebratory feast.

It was an understandable cultural difference, so I smiled and replied.

“It’s alright. It’s my fault for not telling you sooner. I’ve been busy.”

“By the way! What have you been up to for the past week? You seem to have been quite busy.”

It was a well-intentioned attempt to change the subject, but it was the very topic I was trying to avoid.

Was there something wrong with my life if every attempt at consideration put me in a difficult position?

“I was helping an acquaintance. I had to travel quite far, even through a gate. It wasn’t that busy, just away from the capital.”

I carefully chose my words to avoid any slip-ups and finished my explanation.

Yekaterina then joined the conversation.

“Well, we’re together now, so it doesn’t matter. Anyway, what do you think about Rellie’s suggestion, Eldmia?”

“About forming a party? Unfortunately, I’ll be leaving the capital soon, so it won’t be possible.”

“Leaving?”

“Yes. I’ll have everything I need soon. I’m going to the battlefield.”

No one asked which battlefield.

They simply looked at Asirye, surprised.

It was an understandable reaction.

How could I casually mention going to war with the demons right after being scolded for risking my life?

Asirye, as expected, remained silent, and the others exchanged confused glances.

“I have some personal matters to settle.”

“…The revenge you mentioned to the refugees?”

“Yes.”

I smiled, but their expressions remained grim.

It seemed like I was going to my death.

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[My guy is going to war…… the war of LAW]