Translator's Note
Welcome!
This was suggested to me by TV.Station. It's not exactly my genre but I'll take the challenge, just for fun. This is just a test run, to see what it looks like. If you want to skip my version of chapter 271 and 272, feel free to open chapter 273. If you're new to this series, here is the NovelUpdates link.
At first, I thought that the author dropped this because there's no new raw post since Sept 2022, so I didn't really want to pick this. Recently, when I visited again, I saw some new posts just few months ago, and the author stated that it's about to end, so I think I'll pick this up. I'll start from chapter 271 because it seems it's the start of a new story arc.
For naming, I'll use the naming from the previous translator at AsianHobbyist, but probably there will be some minor adjustment for some names, and you can hover on each name to see its original word. Especially for skill names please let me know if there's some misspelled name.
I'll try to differentiate between narrative, internal monologue (italic), and dialogue (in parenthesis), and if possible, for dialogue I'll add a hint at end. I won't put a descriptive text (like the ones at Asian Hobbyist (pre ch. 236)) because it's too much effort (but you're welcome if you want to edit it yourself).
For quality, I don't think I can beat the previous translator at AsianHobbyist.
Last but not least, please don't hesitate to let me know if there's something that can be improved. Please enjoy!
"...Hey, did you come here without running away?" (Hannes)
When we headed to the meeting place, near the border of the Meffy Foreign Duchy, we were greeted by Hannes, who seemed to have arrived earlier than scheduled. Even though there was still plenty of time, it seemed like he was a little nervous. Come to think of it, my mother used to say that when a man and a woman were meeting up, the theory was that one of them would arrive much early, and the other would ask, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Were you waiting?"
"... Sorry to keep you waiting, were you waiting?" (Rena)
"...that's disgusting." (Hannes)
It seemed that was wrong, because I did what my mother said, but things hadn't been going well lately.
"Hmm, seriously... who gave you that idea this time?" (Hannes)
"I heard that it's a theory when a man and a woman meet up." (Rena)
Since he said, "this time," did that mean, from Hannes' perspective, I frequently did things that were out of place? It's difficult, isn't it? ...I was often told "Normally, you should do it like this," but the dress code of the occasion constantly changed with the subtle nuances and atmosphere, so I couldn't keep up.
"Well, you know... that's a little different." (Hannes)
"? Ah, is that so?" (Rena)
Why is it Hannes who is upset and not me, who made the mistake? Was what I said really that off? ...or did I perhaps use it in the wrong context? It seems it was a mistake difficult to put into words, to the extent that even Hannes hesitated to say it.
"Well, that won't matter for now! For now, let's head to the bottom of the dungeon we're aiming for!" (Hannes)
"How do we get there?" (Rena)
Come to think of it, I hadn't heard the location or the name of the dungeon yet. They specifically chose the border near the Meffy Foreign Duchy as the meeting place, so it must be even further north of the continent.
"I'll take you to the front line first." (Hannes)
"...the front line?" (Rena)
The front line, the front line...the front line of what? Could it be that, without my knowledge, the other players were engaging in something that seemed like a war and looked very exciting? If that were the case, I would be envious. I would like to join in as well.
"Yeah, you may be one of the top players, but you're not part of the strategy team, right? While we were steadily clearing the main scenarios and quests, and unlocking new areas, you were freely threatening our rear, weren't you?" (Hannes)
"I was just playing, you know." (Rena)
"…We can work out the exact meaning of your words another time, but anyway, you have a smaller range than us, the raiding team." (Hannes)
"I see, it certainly seems like I'm still wandering around the Western Continent, huh?" (Rena)
Is this really the same as when I first started the game and explored the underground passage that went under the inland sea to get from the City of Beginning to Belzenstock City? I also remembered that at that time, there was a merman-like boss that blocked the way. It didn't necessarily mean that a boss was waiting for you, but it did imply that you needed to clear a certain level of gimmicks or challenges before you could reach a new location.
"In other words——I'll guide you, and we'll rush to the front line where the dungeon is located as quickly as possible." (Hannes)
"...Oh, that sounds interesting?" (Rena)
So, under the guidance of the top active strategy team, you will be able to complete the gimmicks prepared by the management in an efficient and violent manner? If that's the case... then how long will it take to reach the front line?
"Just in case, I'd like to ask—can you come?" (Hannes)
While I was wondering how quickly we would arrive, Hannes looked down at me with a provocative, belligerent expression, as if he was making fun of me.
"——Who are you talking to?" (Rena)
So, to go along with Hannes' clumsy attempt at consideration, I grabbed him by the collar and pulling him towards me, looking up at his shocked face from close range, and making fun of him. It was kind of amusing to see how he, who was bad at caring about others and not good at acting, started to show his true colors and become flustered over such a small matter.
"Hey hey, sorry! I understand, so let go now!" (Hannes)
"Hannes is surprisingly shy, isn't he?" (Rena)
"Hey, let's have a fight now!" (Hannes)
"Please guide me quickly." (Rena)
"Th-this guy...!!" (Hannes)
What is he making such a fuss about on his own? Since there was a height difference between Hannes and me, I thought the only way to look closely at his face was to pull him closer. ...Was it wrong to grab him by the collar?
"If you don't want me to grab you by the collar, next time you'll have to crouch down, okay?" (Rena)
"…I’ll make eye contact with you as much as you want, so just do something about the distance." (Hannes)
"...? the distance, you say?" (Rena)
Distance, distance, huh?...We've been killing each other up until now, and we have even been trying to take each other's heads, so I don't think it's too late to talk about it now. During battles, we inevitably got close to each other, and I also remembered riding together on Jun-san during the second official event. But well, if it bothered him, there was nothing we could do about it... It seemed Hannes had some peculiar preferences.
"...Maybe he still doesn't get it." (Rena)
"What is it?" (Hannes)
"Let's go now." (Rena)
Since Hannes turned away, we couldn't ask him any more... So, shall we start exploring the uncharted areas? For now, I could see that we had a long distance to cover, so we decided to have Jun-san turn into a bike. After that, based on the strategy information Hannes had, he gave me the appropriate instructions, and I just followed them.
"Hannes, as a leader, please lead me well, okay?" (Rena)
"You're the one doing things on your own without any instructions —— stop that." (Hannes)
Hannes, whose face had turned pale, stopped me. Apparently, it was not possible to ride Jun-san...what a shame.
Author's Note (Preface)
I intended to post it, but I wasn't able to do it! Sorry!
Author's Note (Afterword)
Today, April 2nd, is Rena's (a.k.a. Ichijou Reina-san) birthday! Everyone, celebrate!
Translation Note
Before I forget, for character names, I think I'll use English honorifics (Mr/Mrs, Sir/Madame, etc.) when in-game setting (except Rena's servants and -chan), and Japanese honorific (-san, -sama, etc.) when in "real" world setting. Please let me know if you prefer other option.