Chapter 83

"Perhaps it was fortunate that it wasn't a situation where the ship sank and we had to start a life on an uninhabited island."

"That's a ridiculous thing to say."

"I'm not joking."

"Anyway, let's head to the inn early today. We can't start without knowing the schedule for the member change, right?"

By the way, I remember we need to go to the inn the queen introduced us to and greet the noble who manages the island.

Even though it's a border area, it's a place frequently visited by people, so it's probably someone with a considerable position.

"Welcome, brave heroes of the Four Saints and your party."

As I waited for the other heroes to recover at the port, a suspicious guy with a flag like a tour guide approached us and said.

He was wearing a uniform of the army of Melromarc and looked like a gruff old man, but the flag didn't suit him.

"My name is Duke Havenburg, and I have been entrusted with the land of these Carmila Islands."

"Ah, yes..."

Since I was the only one fully recovered among the heroes, I took the lead in responding.

"Please remember me."

"Ah... nice to meet you."

Each of the heroes greeted the guide who introduced himself as Duke Havenburg.

"Then, let me start by telling you about the beginning of these Carmila Islands."

Well...

He really was a tour guide. I hate that kind of thing because it's troublesome.

"We didn't come here for a tour, you know..."

We came here because the monsters are active and the experience points are good, but learning about the island's traditions... it's not like we're on a sightseeing trip.

"Anyway, the beginning is that the legendary Four Saints' heroes trained their bodies here long ago—"

While guiding us through the market, which is like a square on the island, the duke explained.

Along the way, we found a strange object.

A bronze statue was displayed, with a penguin wearing a Santa hat, a rabbit, a squirrel, and a dog stacked on top of each other like a totem pole.

The penguin held a fishing rod, the rabbit a hoe, the squirrel a saw, and the dog a rope.

What is that?

"Oh? The Shield Hero has a good eye. Those are the legendary native inhabitants who developed this island: Peckle, Usuni, Rizuka, and Inult."

All of them sound Japanese. Well, I guess it's because the legendary weapons' power translates them for us...

"By the way, there's a legend that the names were given by the Four Saints' heroes."

The Four Saints' heroes have no sense.

Ah, the duke is still talking.

"They were apparently friendly monsters, and the heroes named them after the animals closest to their world's standards."

Either way, it's a terrible sense.

Couldn't they have done better?

"So, are there such things on this island?"

"No, they finished developing the island and set off for new lands. No one has seen them since."

...In other words, they probably went extinct.

Their existence is even questionable. To begin with, monsters developing the land...

"Hmm... looks delicious, doesn't it?"

Firo said, drooling.

...Now that I think about it, there are monsters that find pulling a carriage the ultimate joy. It's not surprising that they exist.

As I thought this, I noticed a stone monument next to the object.

"What's that?"

"It's said to be an inscription left by the Four Saints' heroes."

"Hmm."

I slowly approached.

Since they are the Four Saints' heroes, there's a high possibility they are Japanese like us.

Even if they're not Japanese, if they were called from somewhere on Earth, we might get some useful information.

Is there anything written in Japanese?

What...?

"Hey. It's not in Japanese. This is a fake!"

The other heroes also approached the inscription and confirmed they couldn't read it.

"That's strange... According to the legend, it should be recorded when a new hero appears..."

"...Are you kidding? This is the world's magic script."

Magic script... This is quite a headache. It's not the kind of script you can learn from someone.

It's a script that changes depending on the person. That's what magic script is.

For example, if I, who don't have the aptitude, read Raphatalia's illusion magic book, I can't decipher it. It translates into strange words.

But Raphatalia can read it clearly and use it as magic.

There is also a common language magic script, but when it comes to practical ones, you can't read them without the aptitude.

"Can you read it?"

"You guys, who rely on crystal balls, can't read it. I was in an unfortunate position because of the trash, so I had to learn to read it."

"What does it say?"

"Let me see..."

I read the inscription while channeling my magic power.

It's written in surprisingly simple words.

'The Shield Hero, the source of power, commands. Reinterpret the tradition and support this person in every way.'

"Zweite Aura..."

It can be cast on a specific target. Right... let's try it on Firo.

When I directed my hand towards Firo, a faint, transparent magical barrier appeared around her.

"Wow! I feel so powerful!"

Firo started jumping around.

For a humanoid, she's jumping really high.

Looking at her stats, all of them have improved.

"Aura... It's a lineage of magic that legendary heroes use. It increases all ability values."

One of the tree-type monsters muttered.

There's such a legend.

"Awesome! Let's learn it too!"

The ones who treat magic learning like a game tried to read the inscription.

But...

"Huh... I can't read it."

"Of course, you guys don't understand the magic language, do you?"

It would be frustrating if these guys, who easily learn with crystal balls, could learn it so easily.

"Naoumi-san"

The tree turned to me and called my name.

"What?"

"Where can I get a shield that has the effect of understanding the magic language?"

"I learned it on my own! Don't rely on weapons for everything!"

"You're being stingy!"

"Right, right! Teach us!"

Seriously, these guys...

They might even ask about understanding foreign languages.

They probably think that someone's effort can be solved by the power of a weapon.

"I learned the Aura magic, but there's no guarantee you guys can use the same magic."

"That's true. In our case, it might be a better magic."

What a frustrating way of speaking.

It's obvious they think I'm inferior. Their condescending tone is really annoying. They couldn't even fight the pope properly.

Getting angry would be a loss.

"Should we move on? What else is there?"

"Then, let me explain the precautions and means of transportation for the Carmila Islands until we reach the inn—"

The duke summarized the explanation.

The current habitat of the monsters on the Carmila Islands is active, and the life cycle of the monsters is accelerating.

Due to the exponential increase in the number of monsters, it's a situation where they need adventurers and heroes to defeat them.

Our goal this time is to take advantage of this situation to level up.

So, if possible, we would appreciate it if you could defeat all the monsters you see.

You don't have to give way to other adventurers, but if you interfere with other adventurers who are in battle, it might cause unnecessary trouble.

...It felt like a lecture on the manners of an online game.

The means of transportation within the island is small boats that are always available, and you can be transported. In the worst case, you can swim across.

The inn prepared by the queen was still a top-class building.

It was incomparable to the inns I had stayed in before... it was a building that could rival a hotel in my world.

...Was it originally a castle or something?

Anyway, it was a luxurious and clean building. The walls were made of marble-like stone and had a glossy finish.

A stone statue served as a fountain, somehow making me feel less like I was in another world.

Do I feel like I'm in Hawaii?

I was led through a luxurious carpeted path to my room.

The inn would take care of our luggage, and even Firo's carriage was entrusted to them.

"Then, I will explain the schedule from now on."

After a while, a familiar voice disguised as Melty approached.

"Melty?"

"Master, it's not Mel-chan."

"That's right."

"...Is it you?"

It's a confusing disguise. For a moment, I seriously thought she had been hiding and following us.

I'm not sure whether to point out that even height can be faked.

"That's right. I have been appointed as the exclusive shadow of the Shield Hero."

"Of all people, you... and why are you disguised as Melty?"

"To make the Shield Hero feel more familiar."

"Rather, it's creepy, so stop it."

"Understood."

The shadow took off the Melty disguise like a skin and returned to a ninja-like outfit.

It's creepy to see a familiar face peel off like skin.

"By the way... what's with your speech pattern?"

"Is it 'de gozaru'?"

"That's it."

"It's a habit. I can stop it if necessary."

Come to think of it, when a bounty was put on me, you helped by disguising yourself as a villager.

At that time, I didn't notice at all.

"Because of this habit, I was appointed as the exclusive shadow of Princess Melty, who liked it."

"Oh, that's why you were more recognizable than the other shadows."

"...It's better not to think you can identify individuals."

What? That's a suspicious statement. It's as if you're a different shadow from the one at that time.

Well, if you think about it normally, it's not good for a shadow to have distinctive features.

"Are you a different shadow from the one at that time?"

"You're not wrong."

"..."

What a hassle!

"If you rely only on my speech pattern, you might not notice if I'm replaced."

"Okay, okay."

I don't intend to remember it.

Even if I did, it wouldn't change anything.

"Anyway, let me explain the schedule from now on."

"Ah... by the way, for the member change, don't the other heroes need to agree?"

"Does the Shield Hero not agree?"

"No... but"

The other heroes will probably be against it.

I don't know about Motokazu, but Ren and Itsuki seem to have a secretive nature.

Actually, I still don't fully understand what they're doing.

They probably don't like situations where such information leaks.

"The other heroes have already agreed."

"What?"

"That's right. They have already agreed."

"Hmm..."

I didn't expect them to be so cooperative.

Is it my misunderstanding?

I thought they were the type who wouldn't tell me much and pretended to be calm...

"The shadow, the queen, and I have deduced that the other heroes are interested in the Shield Hero's companions and strength."

"Right..."

Thinking about it, I'm considered a weak class by their standards, so they might want to know if I'm doing well.

Even if I'm doing well, the Cursed series has a high cost, so it's a delicate line.

"Especially, all the heroes are interested in Firo."

"I see."

Indeed, Firo probably looks exceptionally strong.

According to Glass's analysis, Firo's combat power is comparable to Ren, and with the ability to use magic and move quickly, it's natural to want to know the secret of his strength...

"Huh?"

Firo, who seemed to be dozing off, looked at me.

Actually... maybe their interest is focused on Firo...

I'm starting to feel irritated.

I hope it's just a misunderstanding.

"So? When will the member change and information exchange take place?"

"I asked the other heroes, and it seems they want to do the member change first."

"...Do they not need the information exchange?"

I wanted to hear about the efficient way to explore the Carmila Islands, but it would be annoying to ask them.

"Even if we do the information exchange first as a form of harassment, it could get complicated. Let's do it as they wish."

"Apparently, the information exchange is scheduled for the day the member change ends."

"Understood. So, what's the order and how many days will we stay here?"

"The entire trip is 12 days. The first 6 days will be for the member change. If the Shield Hero wishes, the member change can be done immediately."

"I see... That's soon."

"It's a waste of time, after all."

"...By the way, I just received a tour guide-like introduction."

"That couldn't be helped. I requested the tour because I analyzed that the Shield Hero probably didn't know about it. Now, let me explain the order of the member change."

According to the shadow, the entire party will be exchanged, and each hero will move on their own.

The order for me is Motokazu → Ren → Itsuki. It seems the same for Raphatalia and the others.

"Starting with a bitch is like some kind of punishment game."

"Half a day has already passed since we arrived. Think about it carefully."

I see, so the time with the bitch is shorter compared to the others.

They did think it through.

"Then I'll go. You guys, do your best."

I put my hand on the door and warned Raphatalia and Firo.

The party will be temporarily disbanded. Well, there's a slave option, but...

"Yes..."

Raphatalia nodded, looking uneasy, and Firo didn't seem to fully understand what was happening.

"The one coming is Motokazu. Be careful. He only lives for his lower half. Absolutely don't let him get away with it. Firo, if he causes trouble, kick him away."

"Okay."

"Mr. Naofumi... That's a bit..."

Even though she said that, Raphatalia also seemed uneasy.

The Spear Hero has always been our enemy, and will continue to be so. It's a matter of analyzing the enemy.

Considering what we've been through with them, reconciliation is impossible.

This time, I'll observe Motokazu's companions as if I'm gathering intelligence on the enemy.

"Then, I'll guide you."

Despite the lingering unease... there's no choice but to go.