Chapter 36: Expedition Part 6

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Translator: Soafp

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Slowly awakening from sleep…

(Where is this?)

I look around and realize that I’m inside a carriage.

Where is Mother, El, and Ashera…

The Black Gob’s head should have been cut off safely.

When I step out of the carriage, it’s still dark outside, and the sky is gradually brightening.

For a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was morning or evening, but it’s strange that no one is around if it’s evening.

They must be in bed now if it’s early morning.

I move to our tent and peek inside.

Mother, El, and Ashera are sleeping.

I managed to protect my family. Looking at everyone’s sleeping faces, I finally feel it.

To avoid waking them up, I quietly move away from the tent.

I sit near the base of a nearby tree, recalling the battle with the Black Gob from yesterday.

Winning that battle was truly lucky.

I managed to dodge the Black Gob’s attacks, know its condition with the Sonar magic, the third squad depleted its mana for me, and most importantly, I was able to hit it with Condense Ray magic.

I could indeed see the Black Gob’s attacks.

However, if I had just grazed one attack, the situation would have surely reversed.

The Black Gob had that much power.

It was undoubtedly luck that I could defeat it without just grazing an attack.

Sonar, which still lacks practice, was effective against the Black Gob.

Knowing the Black Gob’s condition with three Sonars was significant.

The potential of Sonar might have been realized in this battle.

If the third squad hadn’t depleted the Black Gob’s mana, it might have blocked Condense Ray.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the help from those unknown faces.

Condense Ray… honestly, it’s a magic full of defects but also the strongest.

It releases condensed light, making it easily reflectable. Naturally, it reflects even from polished armor. If luck is bad, I might evaporate the moment I shoot it.

Light is also diffused by smoke or steam, significantly reducing its power.

Full activation requires about 30 seconds of charging time. Thirty seconds in actual combat is too long… I’m aiming to reduce it to 5 seconds, but it’s challenging.

The other issue is that it consumes too much magical energy… It’s tough to run out of magical energy after a single shot.

However, despite its many shortcomings, it has numerous advantages.

Firstly, its bullet speed. Due to the nature of light magic, it travels around the Earth seven times in one second. Dodging it after shooting is impossible.

Next is the light sword created when I cut the Black Gob’s neck. The 2-second irradiation time feels like an endless possibility.

Then there’s overwhelming attack power. Creatures that can withstand 4000°C are likely nonexistent… but this world has magical energy.

I must not forget that if magical energy is poured into defense, it might be possible to stop it.

I really liked this flawed but strongest magic.

Being able to win decisively as long as it hits is the most crucial aspect, especially after the battle with the Black Gob.

Considering bullet speed, versatility, and attack power, I plan to build tactics around this Condense Ray.

Now… I want to learn short-range teleportation somewhere.

Since earlier, I’ve been feeling someone’s gaze.

There doesn’t seem to be any hostility, but an extraordinary enthusiasm makes my skin tingle.

What’s with this pressure… It’s like the pressure of some Newtype.

I gently turn my gaze towards the source and see someone hiding in the shadows of a tree.

Staring is bad… I turn my face back while thinking.

(Was that Captain Laila just now…)

I didn’t get a clear view, but I think it was probably Captain Laila .

(What’s going on? Perhaps surveillance? The battle with the Black Gob might have been a bit too much. It wouldn’t be strange if they are wary.)

Ignoring it would be troublesome.

(Well, I have no choice… Let’s try initiating contact.)

I reluctantly get up and move towards where Captain Laila is.

“Captain Laila, do you need something?”

… No response.

I helplessly approach the tree where Captain Laila seems to be hiding.

“Captain Laila, right? What’s wrong?”

I approach the tree while calling out.

Just three steps away from the tree, Captain Laila finally comes out from the shade of the tree…

Face lowered, shoulders shaking… Something seems really wrong.

I quickly raise my guard level for any sudden situation.

Captain Laila, still looking down, hands something over.

A paper?… Letter? An envelope? It might be some sort of order…

I take the paper, and Captain Laila, without lifting the face until the end, runs away somewhere.

(What’s this? An order? Could it be a challenge letter?!)

While looking at the paper, I consider various possibilities.

(I really don’t want to read it! I have a bad feeling about this!)

But I won’t understand anything unless I read it.

I let out a big sigh and reluctantly open the stationery, starting to read the contents.

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[Rafina Side]

Rafina woke up from her sleep due to the presence around her.

Although she has recently become lax, she used to be a B-rank adventurer who was about to reach A-rank soon.

Waking up from the presence around her is a casual thing.

There’s someone outside the tent.

She gently pulled the staff placed by her pillow.

“Rafina, sorry to disturb you. I have something to discuss…”

Probably trying not to be intrusive, she softly called out.

“Captain Laila?”

“Yes, it’s me. Just a moment, can you listen to what I have to say?”

“Understood. Please wait a moment…”

“I’m sorry…”

Although she felt something odd, Rafina made herself ready and came out of the tent.

“I want to move to a place where no one is around… Is that alright?”

“Yes, I’ll go with you…”

Although the phrase ‘a place where no one is around’ made her tense for a moment, Rafina couldn’t find a reason why Laila would harm her. She agreed to move.

Laila stopped in a place not far from the campsite, with a good view. She slowly began to speak.

Leaning against a tree, she ponders such things.

[Aldo Side]

Aldo was holding his head in his hands… Despite appearances, he prided himself on being one of the world’s leading intellects. Basic arithmetic was a given, and he excelled in advanced subjects like trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, and even biology—outclassing the people of this world.

However, like a mathematician faced with an unsolvable problem, he found himself staring at a single piece of paper, completely frozen.

How much time passed while he remained in this state? Aldo stood still like a robot with a dead battery, showing no signs of movement.

As for the content of the letter that left Aldo frozen…

To Aldo-kyun☆

My heart goes doki doki ♡ to the MAX
My fluttering feelings are like a starry sky ☆彡

Between you and me, me and you, our feelings are infinitely vast ∞
A miraculous magic in the stardust ☆

Sunshine lovely, starry sky, kiss me ☀
Fallin’ in love with your heart

Goblins, here and there,
Tomorrow will be carefree

Starry sky to the MAX, infinite ☆ ♡ ∞
I want you to understand, it’s doki doki ♡ to the MAX
Laila’s heart is fallin’ in love

Yours truly, Laila-tan ♡

(What is this… What should I do…)

He has read it dozens of times now, but he still can’t understand even a single thing about this letter.

The only thing he can say is that with each reading, something precious of Aldo’s is being chipped away…

And at some point, he just stopped trying to figure it out.

[Rafina side]

Laila turned towards Rafina and began to speak.

“It’s the first time for me. This kind of feeling…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t want to give up.”

“Eh…”

“I want you to forgive me!”

“For what?”

“Mother!”

“…”

“I’m begging you!”

“What are you talking about?”

“I want you to call me Laila, not Captain!”

“Fine… Laila. Why did you call me mother?”

“Aldo-kyun☆, if I marry him, Rafina will become my mother, right?”

“…”

“Well, Rafina… I mean, Mother, I’m happy that you approve of our marriage!”

“…”

“We have a bit of an age difference, but love conquers all, right?”

“Oi…”

“When we get back, let’s have a wedding right away! Oh, I hope the dress will be ready in time…”

“Oi… you…”

“I want two children…”

“Are you kidding me? Aldo is 10 years old! And you’re almost 40! What are you saying? You could be a grandma soon!”

Rafina declared in one breath, leaving Laila momentarily surprised. Laila then regained composure and began speaking seriously.

“Rafina…”

“Captain… It seems you’ve come to your senses.”

“Would tonight be okay for the first night?”

“Die, you scoundrel!”

Rafina cast a serious spell, but Laila, having reached the rank of Second Squad Captain in the Magic Corps, didn’t fall easily.

“It’s a magic barrier! Did you think you could break through my barrier?”

“You rotten hag! Die!”

“Rafina, your roots are showing. Your language is starting to sound like the old days.”

“Shut up! You outdated hag!”

More shocked by Rafina’s words than the magic, Laila collapsed.

“

“O-outdated… After finally I have found Aldo-kyun☆…”

“…”

“I knew it, deep down…”

“…”

“A little age difference can’t be helped…”

“You…”

“But it can’t be helped! I fell in love!”

“…”

“For the first time… this kind of feeling…”

“…”

“…”

“Captain…”

“…”

“It’s hopeless, but if Captain were younger than Aldo, I would have supported you…”

Laila slowly stood up.

“Fue, Rafina, I’m sorry. I’m okay now.”

“I see… Captain.”

Rafina could only respond as best as she could.

(I’ve got her on record. Rafina… kukuku.)

In Laila’s mind, a triumphant smile appeared.

[Aldo PoV]

The expeditionary force ultimately returned with more casualties than expected. During the journey back…

“Here you go, Aldo-kyun☆, ahh~”

Laila tried to feed me some sweets.

“Oh, thank you…”

If that letter was incomprehensible, this attitude was equally confusing.

“Old lady(Oba-chan), you’re too close to Aldo. Step back a bit.”

Ashera intervened between Laila and me.

“Child, why don’t you go play over there?”

The relationship between Captain Laila and Ashera seemed odd. It was normal until yesterday… I tried to break the tension with some conversation.

“Come on, both of you, you’re ruining your beautiful faces~ I want to see more smiles~”

“Aah! Beautiful! Thank you, Aldo-kyun☆!”

“Thanks, Aldo…”

Both blushed… I couldn’t make sense of it.

“Aldo-kyun☆, what kind of girl do you like?”

“My preference… I don’t have any particularly.”

“There are various factors like age.”

“Age, huh… I guess younger ones are cute. Like Clara.”

The atmosphere froze at my words.

Laila started muttering something to herself, and Ashera clenched her fist, looking down.

I couldn’t bear it… What was this awkwardness?

“I’ll go do some recon!”

Saying that, I had to leave the scene.

[Ashera and Laila Side]

Laila and Ashera’s Scheme

“Young girl… Aldo-kyun☆ seems to prefer younger ones.”

“I’m within the range. Different from an old lady.”

“Hah, just two years! Even though it’s just two years, it’s within the range! Can’t you count, young girl?”

“Ku…”

“Young girl, listen. When we return to the territory, I’ll quit the Mage Brigade and go on a journey.”

“A journey?”

“Yes, to find a rejuvenation elixir.”

“Rejuvenation!”

Ashera eagerly grabbed onto the idea of rejuvenation.

“Yes, rejuvenation… If you drink it, you’ll become younger too.”

“What do you want?”

“Quick to the point, I appreciate that. What I want is the position of the second wife.”

“Second wife…”

“I know you’re eyeing Aldo-kyun☆’s wife position. Childhood friends are quite a strong card.”

“…”

“The compensation for the elixir is support and permission to become Aldo-kyun☆’s second wife.”

“I won’t allow that.”

“Ara, well, then no talk about the elixir.”

“Kuuu…”

“Even if not as strong as childhood friends, having a younger card is quite powerful…”

“…”

“I’ll negotiate with someone who will appear in the future.”

“Wait…”

“Hmm?”

“I understand. I’ll accept the second wife position. I’ll provide support too.”

“I like kids who understand.”

“…”

“Well, let’s get along, Ms First Wife.”

“Understood…”

In Aldo’s unaware world, a terrifying scheme was unfolding.