Mushoku Tensei Redundancy
/ Mushoku Tensei Redundancy Chapter 15
According to White Mama, they’re huge Magic Tools, and it’s because of them that the city has remained peaceful for so many years.
After that was the shining silver building.
Of course, if he told his father, he would take him there.
After they went in, Ars was running all around with curiosity in his eyes, but his father threw all kinds of limitations at him, “You can't touch that,” “You can't go there.”
The Millis Cathedral, especially the Inner Sanctum, are places only those with special permission may enter.
But he realised that his movements would be restricted like today.
He and the other children were told to play in the gardens until they came back, he saw his chance.
(Let’s see how close I can get to the silver building and the tower.)
Thinking about it, his entire life had been restricted by his parents.
Whenever he went out, he was always with Aisha or Leo.
Since he was little, he had readily obeyed, and even now he didn’t intend to oppose.
He knew that it was dangerous to go outside, and that he shouldn’t go alone.
Sometimes he just felt like he wanted to go somewhere without someone watching him.
“Hey, Lara-nee, let’s slip out. You wanna go take a look at the silver building and the tower?”
And so the one Ars chose to invite was Lara.
Leo was with the Guardian beast of the girl they called Miko, the Snowy Owl, and had left Lara behind.
And so Lara was also thinking that this was her chance.
And even now, she had never disliked that.
They timed their escape for when Chris shouted “Papa’s gone!” and started crying and they moved to a bush, running from shadow to shadow towards the exit.
“Hey, where are you two going?”
And the one who had spotted them was Sieg.
“Shhh, we’re just going out to play a little.”
“I know that you’ve been sneaking out the back by yourself lately.”
Sieg was always going out by himself.
Ars thought that because he never saw him leaving with Aisha or Leo.
Sieg, and of course Ars didn’t know, that when he sneaks out of the house, a Rudo Mercenary is always secretly guarding him.
“…Ok.”
“Eh, you’re going to the adventurers guild?”
Hearing him say silver building, Sieg’s eye’s shone.
And many of them ended up at the Adventurers HQ so he had an extraordinary curiosity.
“Yeah.”
With mischievous hearts and full of curiosity.
The architecture was completely different to that of Sharia’s, and was filled with all kinds of houses and buildings with odd shapes; it set Ars’s heart on fire.
Just having the pavement under you is a big change.
They had gotten quite used to those gazes in Sharia.
“Lara-nee, you have to walk forward. It’s dangerous.”
She was even more entranced than Ars at the tidy city.
“Hey, do you think we should have invited Lucy-nee? If we get separated, she’ll get mad at us.”
And even though he’d been training by himself and gotten quite good with a sword, Ars still couldn’t figure out why he was still scared of everything.
“Ahh Lara-nee! What’s that!?”
What Ars was pointing at was a strange work of art.
It looked somewhat similar to the white bird they had seen, but it was obviously artificial and a little ominous.
“There’s no way someone would make a fountain that looks like that.”
“Eeh… That can't be right…”
But just as Ars went to inspect it, water squirted out of its mouth.
“Aah, It really is a fountain! Amazing! How did you know!?”
It was based on the Miko’s guardian beast Nurse and was presented to her upon its completion.
But because of it’s stuffed animal like qualities, the Miko complained that she wanted it close by, and so it was installed near the Church for the townspeople to enjoy.
“Ohh.”
Seeing Ars and Sieg’s gazes of interest, Lara puffed her chest out with pride.
As the three continued their conversation, they crossed a bridge.
And as they did, the scenery around was quite different.
You could even see people carrying swords or walking around armoured in large numbers.
They had crossed from the Sacred ward to the Adventurers ward.
“It got kinda normal.”
Although they could be called muscular and rugged, compared to the Rudo Mercenaries, they looked rather weak.
“Hm. This way.”
“Aah!”
Once they arrived at the main street, the Adventurers Guild HQ immediately came into view.
A complete 180 from his previous opposition.
They wanted to get a closer look as quick as possible.
Seeing the children suddenly start running, those around them suddenly thought “Danger”.
But they completely overturned the people's’ assumptions and the three children skilfully weaved through the crowd of people.
Part 3
It wasn’t though they hadn’t seen a building of this scale before.
But there was just something different about it.
The Magic University was filled with reds and browns, kind of like a potato.
“Ar-nii, it’s the Adventurers Guild!”
“It’s completely different from ours!”
“But this smell inside is the same.”
Very quietly.
That was something that Blue Mama had told them.
Ars was basically wishing for a fight, but if he started one after already sneaking out, Red Mama would get mad.
And if Sieg or Lara got hurt, Red Mama wouldn’t be the only one angry.
Up until now, Papa would always be complimenting or pampering them, rarely would he scold anyone.
The inside felt amateurish but also composed, and there were a lot of desks.
But here it was the opposite. The ones that looked like beginners were the warriors and healers but all the magicians looked experienced.
“Ars.”
Seeing that Ars was satisfied by the scenery in front of him, Lara called out from behind.
“There are 3 more floors.”
Lara pointed at the information board in front of the stairs.
The first floor was a reception and a meeting place, the second floor was a store where you could buy equipment and raw materials directly from the guild, the third floor was restaurant, and the fourth floor was a guild room for large scale events and meetings.
“Let’s go up!”
But as Ars began walking towards the stairs, a shadow was cast over them.
“S-Sightseeing! We’ve come from Ranoa Kingdom…”
The reason he managed to reply right away, was because his Papa had told he what to say.
“Your parents?”
“Right… Then, how about I guide you around? Although I may not look it, I’m a staff member here. Today my shift ended in the morning, so how about it?”
After she said that, she showed them the crest on her shoulder.
Ars loved voluptuous breasts.
The woman in front of them was about the same level as Aisha, which was a size sufficient to cause Ars’s heart to pound.
“Alright then, leave it to me. Ok? The first floor, as you can see, is the reception area.”
The woman began explaining all kinds of things with a friendly smile.
First floor, second floor, third floor, fourth floor…
They had strayed from their plans, but everything they saw was fresh.
“You don’t need to thank me… So what are you doing after this? Are you going to meet your mum and dad?”
“Hmm. Then would you like me to walk you home?”
He lied to her, but if they started walking to a different part of the town, she would surely notice.
Their plans had changed slightly but it turned out alright in the end.
“Now then, on to the next one!”
Ars was pointing not just at the tower, but the sun which had passed noon was beginning to fall.
And protecting it was a crowd of adventurers.
They would shout in excitement whenever something caught their interest and were enjoying their field trip quite thoroughly.
But because of all their dawdling, the tower which should have been quite close, was still surprisingly far.
It was so thick that it took them several minutes to circle the whole thing, and it was so tall you couldn’t see the top.
Although the Magic Tool wasn’t comprised of the whole tower, to protect the Magic Tool on the inside, large scale barrier magic was carved around the tower.
He simply thought that Lily would have liked to see this kind of thing.
“Ar-nii, it seems they won't let us inside after all.”
That’s a matter of course.
“Yeah!”
“Yeah. It was fun. That dragon head mounted in the guild room, I want one too.”
“I’ll help too.”
They were delighted to see all kinds of things they wouldn’t normally have.
Could it be.
“No?”
“You sure know a lot.”
“Hmph…”
Sieg was confused at Ars’s sudden silence but kept talking to Lara.
They frequently trained so no one complained that they were tired or their feet hurt.
Slowly through the night.
And so, the day ended.
The three were standing in a dark alley.
“…How should I know.”
Ars didn’t intend for it to turn out like this.
On the way there they would aim for the huge tower, and on the way back they would aim for the shiny gold building.
It stands out from quite a distance, and they would just be returning along the path they had already come.
And the long shadows cast by the evening sun, erased any traces of the path they walked.
“Shut up! I don’t know what I don’t know!”
Ars yelled at him and Sieg shook a little.
He may have started training with Alek, but he was still a young child.
Ars looked behind him.
But in Lara’s eyes he could see a small amount of anger.
“…I’m sorry. Lara-nee, we’re lost.”
“Do you know how to get back?”
Lara always looked like nothing could faze her, but now she had none of her usual arrogance.
But he didn’t cry, nor did he complain, instead he clenched his fist.
“E-Everything will be fine! Leave it to me!”
This was something he started.
That’s what he thought.
Ars took Lara and Sieg’s hand and gripped them tightly.
Blue Mama had once said:
When they left main street, there were still plenty of people, it should be easy to ask one of them.
If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask someone.
“…What if the people are mean and don’t tell us?”
Ars didn’t know hot to refute Sieg's negative declaration.
Continuing Blue Mama’s previous statement:
“Ah… That’s right!”
A priest still could lie to them,
And although they had only met a few times, in his mind Cliff was a person who would never lie.
“Well then, let’s go home.”
“I-I’m not crying.”
Strength returned to Sieg’s face, and Ars looked like he had a bit more energy.
There were no people around them, but if they ran into anyone on the way, they could just ask them.
That much would be simple.
Not only had he gone and gotten lost, he had gotten Lara and Sieg dragged along with him.
Red Mama would be especially angry.
Normally Aisha would cover for them and try to soften the blow, but this time they had snuck out under Aisha’s watch.
“Ars, are you crying?”
Lara peeked in front of Ars’s face.
“…K, got it. You sure are reliable.”
“It’s my fault too.”
Lara pat him on the head and he reddened slightly before facing forward.
They quickly started walking.
There was no doubt that they were going to get scolded.
Aisha would probably be mad at him too, but he remembered to make sure to apologise.
And the second they turned the corner.
“Whoops.”
They ran into a woman.
Seeing a chest of familiar size, Ars reflexively made a sound.
“Aah…”
“Huh? Why else. I’m heading home after work, my house is this way after all. What about you? It’s already dark, if you don’t get home your parents will get mad.”
Ars was relieved.
Hell is merciful… was a phrase that Ars didn’t know, but for now their future looked better.
“Um, we got lost. Do you know where the main street, no a church or the shiny gold building is?”
“Right, that one! Cathedral!”
But then Ars calmed his expression and cleared his throat.
“…Silly, lost children shouldn’t be so formal. Come on, follow me.”
Ars remembered.
Connections between people are important.
Surely she was talking about this.
Ars matured just a little that day.
There wasn’t a single trace of anyone around them, the walls were scrawled with obscenities and the trash covered floor gave an overwhelming odour.
“That’s no good. Didn’t your parents tell you not to follow around people you don’t know?”
Hearing footsteps suddenly surround them, Ars was shaking.
And even though he had realised that, his thoughts were still a mess.
So why…
“I didn’t lie to you. This is a side job. Just a little bit of extra money. There are lots of kids like you in this city. Orphans who want to become adventurers and come to the guild but leave without joining. And once they leave, if they can’t make it back home before dark, this is what happens.”
Lara was expressionless as always, but she looked somewhat pale.
He couldn’t even protect the two of them.
It was his mistaken judgement.
What had his mothers told him… What… What…!?
“ANYONE! IS ANYONE HERE! WE’RE BEING KIDNAPPED! PLEASE HELP!”
Ars shouted.
That was what Blue Mama had said, or was it White Mama?
No, it was probably something his Papa had said.
“Cry and scream all you want, no one’s coming.”
Ars could tell that was the case and immediately moved to his next line of thinking.
The alley was a dead end. There one one person in front of him and two behind him. They all had swords.
They had no presence nor bloodthirst.
They were small fry that would piss themselves and run in front of Red Mama.
If he did as he practiced, he could surely win.
“You stay back Sieg!”
Although that’s what he said, Ars’s knees were shaking.
He was about to fight three adults in pure darkness.
That kind of pressure was a first for Ars.
“Ooooh, what a brave big brother. But there’s no way you can win you know? Although these guys are ex-adventurers, their skills are the real deal.”
“Haa, don’t hurt them too much. These kids come from somewhere high up, so we’ll get quite the ransom for them.”
The two responded with a “Yes Ma’am,” and charged at them.
And as he turned around and put as much mana into his fist as possible—
When something broke the silence.
It came from behind the two men encircling them, and everyone stopped moving.
At the same time, a white lump jumped over the two men.
“LEO!”
It was Leo.
Because he didn’t have hands.
“Alright. That’s enough~”
It was a familiar voice.
With her dazzling brown hair and a fang1 that fit her, she walked out of the darkness.
She wasn’t his sister.
But Ars and the others weren't the only ones relieved.
“The Greyrat house.
The family of Carlyle Latrea who has long served the Holy Knights. You’ve heard of them right?”
The Holy Knights.
The men weren’t well versed in the names of nobles,
They were famous among believers, they were the private army of the Millis Church.
“I would give up on holding those kids for ransom. It won’t end well for you.”
There was no way they weren’t afraid.
They would tie your hands and feet up and from your feet up, one by one, slowly smash every bone in your body.
But they believed from the bottom of their hearts that what they were doing was good. And in response to your screams of pain all they would tell you is: “If you truly wish for salvation from the bottom of your heart, God will surely hear you. You may soon be by his side, rejoice,” while giving you a smile that could relieve you from the bottom of your heart.
“W-Why would the Rudo Mercenaries get involved?”
Right Hand of the Dragon God, influential to many nations and a master mage.
But he treasures his family quite highly, if he found out that his children were attacked, what would he do I wonder…?”
“Do you really think that? I’m starting to get tired of trying to convince you.”
“Really now. Leo, do it.”
At that command, the white beast moved like a storm.
The man’s leg snapped with a clean sound and Leo let go.
He didn’t even have time to draw the sword on his back before Leo bit his hand, after a few snapping sounds he let go and bit at his face, then after being shaken around he fainted and was thrown at the wall.
“Hii…”
The woman didn’t get away.
On top of that, Leo probably held back.
But he didn’t.
The opponents that Ars had feared.
“Is everyone alright? You’re not hurt?”
Aisha completely ignored the passed out kidnappers.
“Really? Then let’s head home.”
Ars didn’t know what was going on but he nodded, and Aisha flashed her tooth and smiled.
The three were on Leo following Aisha and her lantern home.
Why did you leave all by yourself?
No matter how mischievous Ars was or how much trouble he caused for others, she never got angry.
She would always kindly tell him not to do it again and to learn from his mistakes.
But this time, they were only a step away from disaster.
Aisha had come to search for them, but Mama or Papa probably got mad at her.
And having someone you’re watching over running away would also make you angry, no matter how gentle Aisha is, even she would be annoyed.
“I left without telling you, and put everybody in danger…”
He couldn’t feel the slightest bit of anger from her actions.
But why?
“We’re here.”
In front of the manor, Ars swallowed in anticipation.
Aisha may have forgiven them.
They had taught him to protect his siblings.
He should at least be prepared for Red Mama’s spanking.
They walked down a hallway and opened up a door to a room filled with their family.
Their three mothers, two grandmothers, a blonde aunt, a stone faced great-grandmother and their Papa.
“We have returned.”
Aisha bowed and the family looked at the three of them.
The first would probably be Red Mama.
That’s what Ars thought.
“Oh, welcome home, you sure took your time.”
But Red Mama simply gave them a light answer.
“Was the Adventurers Guild fun?”
Red Mama’s tone was soft.
“But you shouldn’t have come home so late. Even if you were with Aisha and Leo, it’s dangerous at night.”
Norn-nee and Claire didn’t say anything but their gazes said that they agreed.
“Don’t worry too much, although they are a little late, we haven’t even had dinner yet.
Zenith-Baachan was silent as always, but she didn’t look like she was criticising them.
There was a noticeable silence.
“In the Adventurers Guild’s guild room, there was a Dragon’s head on the wall.”
Lara suddenly said that.
she probably heard it from Leo.
“Aah, Papa, did you know, in the Adventurers Guild, they had a Magic Sword!”
After that Sieg began talking about the Adventurers Guild with a happy look on his face.
Part 8
He returned to his own room and as if it was natural, he turned around and faced Aisha.
“Why?”
The first thing Ars did was ask that.
Why did everyone know they went to the Adventurers Guild.
And Aisha just gave a smile.
“Wanna know?”
You looked like you had lost to your boredom and were about to pull some kind of prank, but when I heard you say that you were going to the Adventurers Guild, I immediately followed.”
Ars could understand that.
And on top of that, she didn’t meet up with them and let them do what they wanted.
Although she didn’t intervene when they were lost and on the verge of tears…
“…Then when when you realised we were lost, why didn’t you help us?”
Of course Ars knew.
He thought that because of his mothers’ teachings, if something did happen, he’d be able to do something about it.
He mustered up his own wisdom and tried to figure something out.
And so Aisha continued to watch. It wasn’t her turn to come out.
But in the end, when it came to a situation where they would be injured, she came out.
And because that woman didn’t seem like a kidnapper, because she had kindly guided them around the guild, Aisha didn’t act until the last moment.
He couldn’t blame her.
Aisha was still cleaning up after his mistakes.
“…Aisha-nee… I’m sorry.”
“We snuck out without telling you…”
It was something unusual.
She always say “It can’t be helped,” and cleaned up the situation, but never said anything in regards to it.
“I-I didn’t think you were… irritating. Just a little… Aah, but I like you Aisha-nee.”
“Yeah.”
“Yes, but… Everyone would worry…”
“Yeah.”
He didn’t have that clear an image, but a situation like that was Ars’s ideal.
They might have worried Aisha a little, but they would be right back and she’d say “So you were just over there,” and give a sigh of relief.
“The fact that you couldn’t do that is the problem.”
Aisha said it straight out.
Ars had a goal.
She didn’t care about the fact that they didn’t want to go together, it was just part of the goal.
“Hmm. Even I’d have a hard time going to both the tower and the Adventurers Guild in that short amount of time. They’re just too far apart. So I’d probably just go with the Adventurers Guild and save the tower for another day. Didn’t you already know that you didn’t have much time? So the second you heard our plans yesterday, you should have come up with a proper strategy.”
“I would have also brought a weapon, and a tool to contact someone. So just in case I ran into something I couldn’t handle myself, I could call someone to come help.”
Hearing it outlined so clearly, Ars realised what he did wrong.
It was too sudden and lacked thought.
Aisha really is amazing.
“…I got it. Next time, I’ll be more careful. So I don’t worry anyone.”
“Eeh, but, if it ends up like today…”
Ars didn’t really understand, he remembered how today felt and smiled at Aisha.
“Alright. I understand Aisha-nee! Thanks!”
Ars was earnestly thinking over the day.
Translator Notes and References
The author decided he wanted to write it third person but from someone's perspective (Just think about that for a second) and in Japanese this isn't too hard to do because you just remove any first person pronouns and it works. but in English what you get is a clunky mess of perspectives.
I tried my best to minimise any impact it had on the tone but I'm not perfect. This is one language difference that can't be overcome.
Chapter end
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