Chapter 63 : Tribulation of Hell Starting From Nineteen
The thing that was waiting for us as soon as we land our feet on the island was a giant hole and mountain.
「Buu, we got no chance at all. Sou-kun. Since you didn’t let us have a chance…you should leave the rest of this case to us. Okay?」
My heart that is astonished by the scenery in front was immediately brought back to the battlefield with Yukihime-san’s words.
「My sister is……….. In this place.」
Kanon muttered, eyes locked to the huge mountain before us. I could tell that she’s filled with anxiety, hope, and maybe a wish.
Unfortunately, although I wanted her to stay behind with those pirates, Kanon wouldn’t budge no matter what we said. Since that was the case, I was left with only one choice, namely protecting her while saving her sister, Lilith.
「Don’t worry, Kanon. I will save your sister for sure.」
「…… Yes.」
Thus, we entered that gigantic cave.
■ □ ■ □ ■
「…we don’t even get a welcoming party now…」
「….. Ri~ight.」
Originally, I expected to be welcomed with armies of ogres. However, the truth was different. So far nothing had happened. While I felt that it was for the best since we could safely advance further without wasting our time in battle, yet for some reason I felt something strange. The current situation was just too weird.
「B-but, safety takes priority, right.」
Aoi-san said that despite this huge “不安/Anxious” letters written so blatantly on her face. Perhaps she had felt the same thing I did. Or perhaps it’s just due to her normal demeanor.
「Well, you’re right. Now we just need to find Lilith as soon as possible.」
「Tokkun was scouting this area just now, but it has yet to find anything. In that case, we should advance a bit more.」
Tokkun was another partner of Mop-san, a bird type monster. It was a really cool-looking monster about the same size of an eagle with a pair of wings created from fire. Honestly, I’m so damn jealous of this guy’s job.
Well, disregarding my momentary feeling, we continued to advance into the islands. However, we didn’t find anything particularly special whilst whilst mapping the inside of this island. Enemy aside, we didn’t even find any living creatures during the short break we took to let Kanon rest for a while. The only thing I felt was the fact that the passage of time seemed to be getting longer for each passing second.
At that time.
「Uhm, it seems that Tokkun has found something ahead of us.」
As soon as Mop-san finished speaking his words, all of us hurriedly ran ahead to the direction he indicated.
「But, just because we didn’t get to engage in combat even once ever since we entered this island, doesn’t mean that we can let our guard down. You understand right? 」
N? Were you referring to me perhaps? Were you saying that to me who’s already armed to the teeth with dual guns in both hands and a knife in my mouth as I stood in front of Kanon? [TL : Imagine Zorro with both of the swords in his hands replaced with gun]
「Well, putting that aside, what did you find? 」
「According to the image that I received from Tokkun, it seems like something huge. Anymore than that is a mystery. Well, let’s get going for now.」
We advanced forward, following Tokkun’s track while being wary of our surroundings in case of traps. And when we arrived, the thing that awaited us ahead was a huge gate.
「Isn’t this just……….. A gate? 」
「Ah, Sou-kun. There’s something written on top.」
Aoi-san pointed toward the top of the gate with her slender finger. What was written on there was.
【1st Question : Give the correct reading for the following kanji. A.埃及 B.膃肭臍 C.信天翁】 [TL : A.Egypt B.Ottosei[fur seal] C. Ahoudori[Albatros]]
…Eh, what the hell was this. Pop quiz? E?
「This is…a quiz. So we might be able to advance forward as long as we can solve these questions」
「Maybe…but, my apologies. I didn’t know the answer to those questions. How about you, Sou-kun.」
「S-O-R-R-Y! 」
「Uhm, that was fast. As expected of Quick Shot Sou-kun. But it’s okay, I don’t know how to answer those questions either.」
「Me too…Kanji is a bit.」
Mop-san, Yukihime-san, and I were looking at each other with bewildered face. It seemed that the difficulties of this dungeon was higher than our expectation. At least it’s more difficult than the capture area boss of Okinawa, Jiiza.
『O INSOLENCE INTRUDER, LEAVE AT ONCE』
「W-WHAT VOICE IS THIS?」
「F-FROM WHERE?」
『WE ARE THE GUARDIAN OF THIS ISLAND. YOU HAVE TO PASS OUR TRIAL IF YOU WANT TO PROCEED. YOU MAY PASS IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.』
DAMN IT, to think that such deadly obstacle appeared when we had managed to progress this far. This is definitely the greatest obstacle I had ever faced ever since I started playing this game. Bad, this is bad. Damn it, to think that this pla――
「Let’s see, the answer is Egypt, Ottosei, and Ahoudori.」
「「「EH!?」」」
『……. EH!?』
「E-EH, DID I GET THE ANSWER WRONG? 」
『N-No, You’re correct.』
A-Aoi-san. So you could actually read all those kanjis. Genius, WE GOT A GENIUS ON OUR SIDE..
『GUH, FINE THEN, YOU SHITTY INTRUDERS MAY PASS.』
OI, where’s your composure as the guardian from before?!
「Ah, the gate has opened. You’re So amazing, Ruu-chan! 」
「I see, Blue-san is the smart type huh.」
Come to think of it, I did heard that Aoi-san and Midori-san’s score was really good, the exact opposite of mine and Shinji’s.
「I’m glad that I can help even just a bit.」
Aoi-san was really happy to be able to help us. I noticed that when I looked at her face for a while.
「Since it’s written “1st” question on the gate, there might be another question waiting ahead of us.」
「Yeah, you’re right. We’re counting on you, Blue.」
「Ye-Yeah. Leave it to me.」
Thus, we went through the gate. As expected, there were no enemies beyond this point too. And, after we walked for a few minutes, we arrived in front of another door and heard the same mysterious voice from before.
『O INSOLENT INTRUDERS, ANSWER MY QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO PASS THROUGH THE GATE』
This time, I’m definitely going to be the one to answer this question. Changing this burning passion into energy, I focused my attention to the letters written on the gate.
【2nd Question : Amongst the vassals of Daimyo Oda Nobunaga, name the four people who were hailed as the four heavenly king of Oda Nobunaga.】
F^$#K, LIKE HELL I KNEW ABOUT THAT! WHAT THE HELL WITH THIS QUESTION WHOSE ANSWER COULD ONLY BE KNOWN BY ODA MANIAC!
「Shibata Katsuie, Niwa Nagahide, Takigawa Kazumasu, Akechi Mitsuhide.」
『…….. You may pass.』
……… Aoi-san, turned out you’re a historian too.
The three of us, Yukihime-san, Mop-san, and I were looking at Aoi-san with respectful gazes while we progressed onward.
And as expected,
『O INSOLENT INTRUDER, I’M DEFINITELY GONNA SEND YOU BACK TO YER MAMA THIS TIME.』
What this tension for. Oi, voice of heaven.
【3rd Question : Answer the next english word with Japanese. A.obduracy B.apostates C.profligacy】
GOD D$#%^&MN IIIIIIIIIIIIT! WAS THIS ACTUALLY A SECRET MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGEMENT SIDE TELLING US TO STUDY PROPERLY AND INSTEAD OF JUST PLAYING GAMES? IT’S TOO REASONABLE TO THE POINT THAT I COULDN’T EVEN TALK BACK.
「A. Ganko, B. Haishinsha, C. Rouhi.」
『……. Correct.』
Aah, he just gave a short reply this time huh. Aoi-san seems like a cheat code in my eyes right now.
Yosh, let’s go ahead.
『EEI,THIS PLACE WILL BECOME YOUR GRAVE! 』
THIS GUY HAD BROKEN.
【4th Question : 5+5+5+5=555, complete this equation by drawing one line.】
This bastard, how dare he changed his method?! This was a blatant attempt to sabotage Aoi-san! What the hell was this question?! By the way, I didn’t even know about this. That face….. Maybe Aoi-san felt the same way as me. F&*&k, this guardian is playing dirty.
「Strike a line on the leftmost『+』 and made it into 『4』, right? [TL : 5+5+5+5 = 555 —> 545+5+5 = 555, that’s the answer] 」 [E/D: …swirly eyes~]
『…… Yes.』
Yukihime-san replied immediately! ? How did she know the answer of that question with just a single glance?! My train of thought has completely frozen when this side of her was revealed to me. When this question was answered, the guardian completely lost his cool.
「That was amazing, Yukihime-san.」
「Fufufu, I’m the best when it comes to this kind of question.」
Thus, we kept advancing forward, passing through one gate after another with Aoi-san answering most of the questions with Yukihime in between. Finally, we arrived at the last gate in which we heard the depressed voice of heaven.
『Gu-Guuuu……. This is the last gate. The thing thou wish art beyond this gate. But it won’t be so easy. Now, I’M DEFINITELY GONNA SEND YER BACK TO YER MAMMA TIIIIIITS.』
Oh whatever, this was the last time I was gonna hear the voice of heaven anyway. No need to fret over this, but I’d at least remember you.
【10th Question : The official names for Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.】
….. It shouldn’t have official name right. Mop-san might know about it? Well, nevermind, I didn’t think he’d know. Yup, the face he made was the exact resemblance of mine. As for Yukihime-san―― It was the kind of face someone made when they’re reminiscing about their long forgotten memories.
Thus, Aoi-san was our last ray of hope in this. However, I felt sorry for our over-reliance to her in this matter. However, we had no other choice. There’s only her.
But the name that she spoke of was beyond what I could imagine
「Krung Thep Maha Nakhon – Amonrattanakosin – Mahintharayutthaya – Mahadilokphop – Noppharatratchathaniburirom – Udomratchaniwetmahasathan – Amonphimanawatansathit – Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit……. That’s all.」
THE HECK?! WHAT WAS THAT SUPER LONG NAME! It didn’t feel like a correct answer. Or rather, how did you remember that super long name, Aoi-san?
『C-Correct』
We raised a delighted cheers when we heard the feeble tone coming from heaven’s voice.
「We did i~t, you’re amazing, Ruu-chan.」
「You are the best, Blue-san.」
「Blue-oneechan…….. So cool.」
「Ah, thank you」
Blue thanked the three for their praises with a flushed red face. Then, her eyes met mine.
「Thanks Blue, you’re the best.」
「Hau! ? I-I’m just happy to be able to help. But, this is just the beginning」
「Yeah, the real thing began from this point.」
After congratulating her, we looked at the gate again with serious look on our face.
『……… To think that you can pass my trial so easily. Go ahead, foolish one. But be aware thou are bound to regret thy decision after passing through my trials. 』
I didn’t know what it meant. But we had no intention to back off from the very beginning. We’re going to do what we needed to do, and that was to take back Kanon’s smile.
Thus, with burning determination, we walked passed the gate.
TN : SO Yeah, study properly and get back to this chapter
Chapter 63 : Tribulation of Hell Starting From Nineteen
The thing that was waiting for us as soon as we land our feet on the island was a giant hole and mountain.
「Buu, we got no chance at all. Sou-kun. Since you didn’t let us have a chance…you should leave the rest of this case to us. Okay?」
My heart that is astonished by the scenery in front was immediately brought back to the battlefield with Yukihime-san’s words.
「My sister is……….. In this place.」
Kanon muttered, eyes locked to the huge mountain before us. I could tell that she’s filled with anxiety, hope, and maybe a wish.
Unfortunately, although I wanted her to stay behind with those pirates, Kanon wouldn’t budge no matter what we said. Since that was the case, I was left with only one choice, namely protecting her while saving her sister, Lilith.
「Don’t worry, Kanon. I will save your sister for sure.」
「…… Yes.」
Thus, we entered that gigantic cave.
■ □ ■ □ ■
「…we don’t even get a welcoming party now…」
「….. Ri~ight.」
Originally, I expected to be welcomed with armies of ogres. However, the truth was different. So far nothing had happened. While I felt that it was for the best since we could safely advance further without wasting our time in battle, yet for some reason I felt something strange. The current situation was just too weird.
「B-but, safety takes priority, right.」
Aoi-san said that despite this huge “不安/Anxious” letters written so blatantly on her face. Perhaps she had felt the same thing I did. Or perhaps it’s just due to her normal demeanor.
「Well, you’re right. Now we just need to find Lilith as soon as possible.」
「Tokkun was scouting this area just now, but it has yet to find anything. In that case, we should advance a bit more.」
Tokkun was another partner of Mop-san, a bird type monster. It was a really cool-looking monster about the same size of an eagle with a pair of wings created from fire. Honestly, I’m so damn jealous of this guy’s job.
Well, disregarding my momentary feeling, we continued to advance into the islands. However, we didn’t find anything particularly special whilst whilst mapping the inside of this island. Enemy aside, we didn’t even find any living creatures during the short break we took to let Kanon rest for a while. The only thing I felt was the fact that the passage of time seemed to be getting longer for each passing second.
At that time.
「Uhm, it seems that Tokkun has found something ahead of us.」
As soon as Mop-san finished speaking his words, all of us hurriedly ran ahead to the direction he indicated.
「But, just because we didn’t get to engage in combat even once ever since we entered this island, doesn’t mean that we can let our guard down. You understand right? 」
N? Were you referring to me perhaps? Were you saying that to me who’s already armed to the teeth with dual guns in both hands and a knife in my mouth as I stood in front of Kanon? [TL : Imagine Zorro with both of the swords in his hands replaced with gun]
「Well, putting that aside, what did you find? 」
「According to the image that I received from Tokkun, it seems like something huge. Anymore than that is a mystery. Well, let’s get going for now.」
We advanced forward, following Tokkun’s track while being wary of our surroundings in case of traps. And when we arrived, the thing that awaited us ahead was a huge gate.
「Isn’t this just……….. A gate? 」
「Ah, Sou-kun. There’s something written on top.」
Aoi-san pointed toward the top of the gate with her slender finger. What was written on there was.
【1st Question : Give the correct reading for the following kanji. A.埃及 B.膃肭臍 C.信天翁】 [TL : A.Egypt B.Ottosei[fur seal] C. Ahoudori[Albatros]]
…Eh, what the hell was this. Pop quiz? E?
「This is…a quiz. So we might be able to advance forward as long as we can solve these questions」
「Maybe…but, my apologies. I didn’t know the answer to those questions. How about you, Sou-kun.」
「S-O-R-R-Y! 」
「Uhm, that was fast. As expected of Quick Shot Sou-kun. But it’s okay, I don’t know how to answer those questions either.」
「Me too…Kanji is a bit.」
Mop-san, Yukihime-san, and I were looking at each other with bewildered face. It seemed that the difficulties of this dungeon was higher than our expectation. At least it’s more difficult than the capture area boss of Okinawa, Jiiza.
『O INSOLENCE INTRUDER, LEAVE AT ONCE』
「W-WHAT VOICE IS THIS?」
「F-FROM WHERE?」
『WE ARE THE GUARDIAN OF THIS ISLAND. YOU HAVE TO PASS OUR TRIAL IF YOU WANT TO PROCEED. YOU MAY PASS IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.』
DAMN IT, to think that such deadly obstacle appeared when we had managed to progress this far. This is definitely the greatest obstacle I had ever faced ever since I started playing this game. Bad, this is bad. Damn it, to think that this pla――
「Let’s see, the answer is Egypt, Ottosei, and Ahoudori.」
「「「EH!?」」」
『……. EH!?』
「E-EH, DID I GET THE ANSWER WRONG? 」
『N-No, You’re correct.』
A-Aoi-san. So you could actually read all those kanjis. Genius, WE GOT A GENIUS ON OUR SIDE..
『GUH, FINE THEN, YOU SHITTY INTRUDERS MAY PASS.』
OI, where’s your composure as the guardian from before?!
「Ah, the gate has opened. You’re So amazing, Ruu-chan! 」
「I see, Blue-san is the smart type huh.」
Come to think of it, I did heard that Aoi-san and Midori-san’s score was really good, the exact opposite of mine and Shinji’s.
「I’m glad that I can help even just a bit.」
Aoi-san was really happy to be able to help us. I noticed that when I looked at her face for a while.
「Since it’s written “1st” question on the gate, there might be another question waiting ahead of us.」
「Yeah, you’re right. We’re counting on you, Blue.」
「Ye-Yeah. Leave it to me.」
Thus, we went through the gate. As expected, there were no enemies beyond this point too. And, after we walked for a few minutes, we arrived in front of another door and heard the same mysterious voice from before.
『O INSOLENT INTRUDERS, ANSWER MY QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO PASS THROUGH THE GATE』
This time, I’m definitely going to be the one to answer this question. Changing this burning passion into energy, I focused my attention to the letters written on the gate.
【2nd Question : Amongst the vassals of Daimyo Oda Nobunaga, name the four people who were hailed as the four heavenly king of Oda Nobunaga.】
F^$#K, LIKE HELL I KNEW ABOUT THAT! WHAT THE HELL WITH THIS QUESTION WHOSE ANSWER COULD ONLY BE KNOWN BY ODA MANIAC!
「Shibata Katsuie, Niwa Nagahide, Takigawa Kazumasu, Akechi Mitsuhide.」
『…….. You may pass.』
……… Aoi-san, turned out you’re a historian too.
The three of us, Yukihime-san, Mop-san, and I were looking at Aoi-san with respectful gazes while we progressed onward.
And as expected,
『O INSOLENT INTRUDER, I’M DEFINITELY GONNA SEND YOU BACK TO YER MAMA THIS TIME.』
What this tension for. Oi, voice of heaven.
【3rd Question : Answer the next english word with Japanese. A.obduracy B.apostates C.profligacy】
GOD D$#%^&MN IIIIIIIIIIIIT! WAS THIS ACTUALLY A SECRET MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGEMENT SIDE TELLING US TO STUDY PROPERLY AND INSTEAD OF JUST PLAYING GAMES? IT’S TOO REASONABLE TO THE POINT THAT I COULDN’T EVEN TALK BACK.
「A. Ganko, B. Haishinsha, C. Rouhi.」
『……. Correct.』
Aah, he just gave a short reply this time huh. Aoi-san seems like a cheat code in my eyes right now.
Yosh, let’s go ahead.
『EEI,THIS PLACE WILL BECOME YOUR GRAVE! 』
THIS GUY HAD BROKEN.
【4th Question : 5+5+5+5=555, complete this equation by drawing one line.】
This bastard, how dare he changed his method?! This was a blatant attempt to sabotage Aoi-san! What the hell was this question?! By the way, I didn’t even know about this. That face….. Maybe Aoi-san felt the same way as me. F&*&k, this guardian is playing dirty.
「Strike a line on the leftmost『+』 and made it into 『4』, right? [TL : 5+5+5+5 = 555 —> 545+5+5 = 555, that’s the answer] 」 [E/D: …swirly eyes~]
『…… Yes.』
Yukihime-san replied immediately! ? How did she know the answer of that question with just a single glance?! My train of thought has completely frozen when this side of her was revealed to me. When this question was answered, the guardian completely lost his cool.
「That was amazing, Yukihime-san.」
「Fufufu, I’m the best when it comes to this kind of question.」
Thus, we kept advancing forward, passing through one gate after another with Aoi-san answering most of the questions with Yukihime in between. Finally, we arrived at the last gate in which we heard the depressed voice of heaven.
『Gu-Guuuu……. This is the last gate. The thing thou wish art beyond this gate. But it won’t be so easy. Now, I’M DEFINITELY GONNA SEND YER BACK TO YER MAMMA TIIIIIITS.』
Oh whatever, this was the last time I was gonna hear the voice of heaven anyway. No need to fret over this, but I’d at least remember you.
【10th Question : The official names for Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.】
….. It shouldn’t have official name right. Mop-san might know about it? Well, nevermind, I didn’t think he’d know. Yup, the face he made was the exact resemblance of mine. As for Yukihime-san―― It was the kind of face someone made when they’re reminiscing about their long forgotten memories.
Thus, Aoi-san was our last ray of hope in this. However, I felt sorry for our over-reliance to her in this matter. However, we had no other choice. There’s only her.
But the name that she spoke of was beyond what I could imagine
「Krung Thep Maha Nakhon – Amonrattanakosin – Mahintharayutthaya – Mahadilokphop – Noppharatratchathaniburirom – Udomratchaniwetmahasathan – Amonphimanawatansathit – Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit……. That’s all.」
THE HECK?! WHAT WAS THAT SUPER LONG NAME! It didn’t feel like a correct answer. Or rather, how did you remember that super long name, Aoi-san?
『C-Correct』
We raised a delighted cheers when we heard the feeble tone coming from heaven’s voice.
「We did i~t, you’re amazing, Ruu-chan.」
「You are the best, Blue-san.」
「Blue-oneechan…….. So cool.」
「Ah, thank you」
Blue thanked the three for their praises with a flushed red face. Then, her eyes met mine.
「Thanks Blue, you’re the best.」
「Hau! ? I-I’m just happy to be able to help. But, this is just the beginning」
「Yeah, the real thing began from this point.」
After congratulating her, we looked at the gate again with serious look on our face.
『……… To think that you can pass my trial so easily. Go ahead, foolish one. But be aware thou are bound to regret thy decision after passing through my trials. 』
I didn’t know what it meant. But we had no intention to back off from the very beginning. We’re going to do what we needed to do, and that was to take back Kanon’s smile.
Thus, with burning determination, we walked passed the gate.
TN : SO Yeah, study properly and get back to this chapter
