Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 96 – I exterminated the ghosts with the girl I like
“Stop fretting over it and do your best.” [Mikana]
She seemed to be able to tell that I was feeling anxious.
“I know.” [Youki]
“I’m not telling you to stop fooling around entirely just because it’s a mission, but try to have some fun. You’re the host of this event.” [Mikana]
“O-Okay.” [Youki]
“What happened?” [Cecilia]
“N-Nothing. We were just having a discussion.” [Youki]
Now that we’re inside this cramped carriage, there’s a limit to how much we can whisper. Happiness has been giving me suspicious looks ever since we got on. Maybe because we’ve been talking to each other since earlier, I ended up sitting next to Mikana instead of Cecilia. I wonder if I can make a comeback… I even got scolded again.
“Is it a team meeting? Can Happiness and I join in as well?” [Cecilia]
“Yeah, of cours– ouch!” [Youki]
I felt a sharp pain from my side as though I was being pinched. The culprit was probably Mikana, the person sitting next to me. Perhaps she was trying to tell me that I had done something wrong, however, it wasn’t the time or place to ask her. I decided to check with her once we got off the carriage.
“…Are you okay?” [Cecilia]
“Hahaha, it’s nothing.” [Youki]
I went through with them again what I had discussed with Mikana. As Happiness was more suited for mid-range and long-distance support, I decided to have her support Mikana as well.
“…Nice working.” [Happiness]
“Cecilia’s maid? If I remember correctly, she’s supposed to be swordsma–!?” [Mikana]
I gave her an elbow strike this time. Raven’s name was a big no-no in Happiness’s presence. Mikana glared at me in response, but I was only returning the favour – that’s tit for tat.
“…What?” [Happiness]
“…Sorry, it’s nothing.” [Mikana]
“…I see.” [Happiness]
The conversation ended, and the carriage became quiet. I wanted to break the ice, but I couldn’t think of any topics. It would be nice if conversation topics popped into my head at times like these. Since the mansion inhabited by the undead wasn’t too far from the capital, we arrived at our destination without too much awkwardness.
“Hey, come here a while.” [Mikana]
As soon as I got out of the carriage, Mikana stopped me. It was probably because she couldn’t do it when we were in the carriage. Since Cecilia was speaking to the coachman, we went to a place a distance away from her.
“So, did I do something wrong?” [Youki]
“Yeah, when you were talking to me, you told her that we were having a discussion, right? That excuse is no good.” [Mikana]
“Huh? Why?!” [Youki]
It wasn’t a lie that we were having a discussion. The topic of the discussion, though, was a different matter since we weren’t talking about the guild mission.
“If Cecilia and the maid girl were left out, and we were the only ones discussing, it wouldn’t leave a good impression. It’s better to tell them that we were only having a trivial conversation.” [Mikana]
“T-That’s nitpicking…” [Youki]
Do I really have to worry about such trivial matters?
“It’s probably not a good idea to be overly conscious about this either, so just keep that in mind.” [Mikana]
“I see. Roger that.” [Youki]
“Then it’s good. So, can I ask why you elbowed me just now?” [Mikana]
“Ah, well… for now, please refrain from mentioning Raven’s name in Happiness’s presence.” [Youki]
“Did something happen?” [Mikana]
Probably because they used to be in the same party, she was worried about him. I could tell from her eyes that she wasn’t trying to make fun of them. Nonetheless, I wasn’t able to divulge the details.
“I’m sorry but, no comment.” [Youki]
“…Hmm. Well since it’s swordsman you’re talking about, you might have not wanted to ask him. I won’t force you to spill the beans either.” [Mikana]
“That’s of great help.” [Youki]
“…Done?” [Happiness]
Happiness came over while I was bowing to Mikana. It seemed that we had taken quite a while even though I didn’t mean to keep them waiting.
“Did you come to call us over? Thanks. We’ll go over now.” [Youki]
“…creepy.” [Happiness]
“Wait a minute, what’s so creepy about what I just said?” [Youki]
“…Captain, thanking, apologizing.” [Happiness]
“So I am creepy when I’m thanking or apologizing to someone?!” [Youki]
“…correct.” [Happiness]
Happiness replied as she gave me a thumbs up. Apparently, I was someone impolite in Happiness’s eyes.
“…Correct, my ass! I always have good manners.” [Youki]
At my reply, Happiness’s eyes widened in surprise. I have a good mind to have a long talk with her one day.
“Could you two quit it with your stand-up comedy routine? Cecilia is waiting there.” [Mikana]
“…understand.” [Happiness]
“Hey, don’t run away after picking a fight with me!” [Youki]
“…Will things go well at this rate?” [Mikana]
Mikana heaved a long sigh as she muttered, but as I was busy chasing after Happiness, I missed what she said.
……
“Alright! Let’s go destroy the undead in a jiffy!” [Youki]
“…Yeah.” [Happiness]
“I can’t tell if you guys get along or not…” [Mikana]
It was just like Happiness to respond to my hyperactive mood. There shouldn’t be any need to be concerned about such a thing.
“The two of you, let’s review the precautions and strategy before entering the mansion.” [Cecilia]
Cecilia put a brake on us before we could rush ahead. In fact, I had almost forgotten why I took up this mission in the first place and was about to go wild, but if I were to mention that, Mikana would deduct my points again. I decided to keep my mouth shut about it.
“About the strategy, Cecilia and I will be the vanguard while Mikana and Happiness will be our rearguard. Wasn’t that it?” [Youki]
“Yes, but aside from that, I need to warn you about something.” [Cecilia]
“…a warning?” [Youki]
“First of all, even though the undead have taken residence in the mansion, it is still a property belonging to Minerva’s real estate firm. That’s why, no highly powerful magic is allowed, please. If the undead are purified, but at the expense of the mansion’s condition, it will be meaningless.” [Cecilia]
“That’s true. There’s no point if we end up ruining the mansion instead. In the worst-case scenario, the reward from our request will be used to cover the repair costs of the mansion instead.” [Youki]
“…seal?” [Happiness]
Happiness placed her hand on her proud folding fan. It was a luxurious fan that was made of Happiness’s feathers, capable of creating winds while shredding surrounding enemies.
“That’s right. If you were to use that, you might cause a lot of scratches on the walls and floor.” [Cecilia]
“…understand.” [Happiness]
Well, Happiness can use magic to a certain extent, so she is probably fine even without her fan.
“Please also refrain from using lightning or fire-based magic as they may cause a fire.” [Cecilia]
“Of course.” [Youki]
Worse comes to worst, I can extinguish the fire with my magic, but prevention is better than cure.
After Cecilia finished explaining, we made our way to the front gate of the mansion. Perhaps due to its undead occupants, the atmosphere around it felt eerie.
“Then, let’s go.” [Cecilia]
Cecilia took the lead, opening the gate slowly, and ventured into the mansion. Despite my awareness, it was evident that she wasn’t afraid of ghosts.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was ambushed by two undead creatures, but Cecilia, equipped with her staff, had already begun casting her magic.
“Holy Circle!” [Cecilia]
A beginner light magic – Holy Circle. While it lacked lethal force, it had the power to purify those within its radiant confines. The two undead creatures wailed upon being hit by Cecilia’s magic. When the circle of light disappeared, the two undead vanished along with it.
“That’s Cecilia for you. No traces of the undead are left.” [Youki]
Even the clothes of the undead vanished along with the bodies.
“When you purify the undead, the clothes go with it.” [Cecilia]
“That’s right. But it also depends on the skill of the cleric…” [Mikana]
“Since Cecilia managed to purify everything, she’s amazing then?” [Youki]
The Holy Circle magic was activated fast, and there were no traces of undead left as well.
“No, I’m still in training.” [Cecilia]
“Your skill is already amazing in my eyes.” [Youki]
I suppose that means we shouldn’t be complacent. Although, Cecilia looks like the type who pursues knowledge endlessly.
“Hearing that makes me kind of happy.” [Cecilia]
“It really is amazing, though. Alright, since I’m the host of this mission, I should do my best!” [Youki]
“I won’t lose either.” [Cecilia]
I stretched a little and ventured deeper into the mansion with Cecilia. It wasn’t like we were in a competition, but I decided to try my best not to lose to her regardless.
“…So he can create a nice ambience without realizing it. Maybe he’s the type who messes up instead the more he uses his head.” [Mikana]
“…agree.” [Happiness]
I was unaware that the two people behind us were amazed by me. Cecilia and I proceeded to purify the undead, cleansing the place gradually and smoothly as I began questioning why the two people even came. I used water-based magic to immobilize and gather the undead in one place, and then Cecilia purified them all at once with her ‘Holy Circle’. Through our natural coordination, the purification of the undead went smoothly.
“Cecilia, are you tired? You’ve been using Holy Circle repeatedly.” [Youki]
“I’m okay. Holy Circle is an important magic for clerics, so I’ve been practising a lot to improve its efficiency.” [Cecilia]
“I see. But it’s better to keep yourself hydrated, just in case.” [Youki]
I handed her a bottle of water.
“Thank you.” [Cecilia]
“Hold on a minute…” [Mikana]
“Hmm, what’s wrong?” [Youki]
I turned around when Mikana called out to me. I wonder what’s wrong.
“I’ve been thinking since a while ago, but… you’re not aware of it?” [Mikana]
“Huh?” [Youki]
“I see. It’s nothing, then.” [Mikana]
“You’re making me curious. What is it?” [Youki]
“…dense.” [Happiness]
Happiness suddenly shot me with cold words. The way the two of them looked at me was strange as well. It was baffling since I didn’t know why she called me ‘dense’.
“Is there something wrong?” [Cecilia]
Cecilia asked after finishing her water. It seemed that she was concerned when she saw the three of us assembled.
“Cecilia, it’s tough for you as well, isn’t it?” [Mikana]
“Eh?” [Cecilia]
“Well, I thought I had been through a lot of hardship, but I think I still lost to you.” [Mikana]
“What do you mean by that?” [Cecilia]
“You’ll understand it eventually. Let’s hurry up and clear this mission. I’d prefer not to go back late.” [Mikana]
“…Go-go.” [Happiness]
Mikana and Happiness moved ahead even though they were supposed to be rearguards.
“Mikana’s words earlier, what does she mean?” [Cecilia]
“…Beats me.” [Youki]
We looked at each other with our heads tilted. As we still couldn’t figure out what those words meant, we went after the two people who had ventured ahead.
“Ah, you’re here. There’s probably a boss-like opponent in this room.” [Mikana]
“How’d you know?” [Youki]
“…presence.” [Happiness]
“Since when are you an expert in this field?” [Youki]
I can tell where someone is if I strengthen my sense of smell, though.
“We’ve explored most of the mansion, except for this room. Undead wouldn’t naturally gather in one place like this, so it’s certain that they have a commander. In that case, since this is the only room left, the commander should be in there, isn’t it?” [Mikana]
“So you’re speculating it.” [Youki]
“I never said that I could sense it by intuition, or anything like that.” [Mikana]
Indeed, the one who said that was actually Happiness.
RinkageTranslation 
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