Chapter 74.1

SPEAR MASTER AND THE BLACK CAT CHAPTER 74 PART 1

　　Seventy-Fourth Episode~ Demon Steel City Holkerbam

　　I immediately search the city for a suitable place .

　　There is a crossroad right inside the eastern gate .

　　The crowd of people and cattle mills through the roads under the beautiful weather .

　　I stop Popob.u.mu at the edge of a street and speak to Misty .

　　“Misty, I’m going to release you somewhere we won’t attract attention . ”

　　“Okay . ”

　　Now then, where should I release her?

　　The road on the left heads south and narrows .

　　It splits into small alleys and old houses .

　　I look to the right road that heads north .

　　The road is uphill, and there are newer high-cla.s.s residences painted white and yellow .

　　Being built on a slope makes the houses look like staircases .

　　The middle road heads west . The broad road makes me think it is the main street .

　　“Looking to the hill on the right . I’ll release you there . ”

　　“Un . ”

　　I go up the hill and enter a side alley .

　　I lower misty to the ground and remove the magic shackles on her arms .

　　I remove more than ten gold and silver coins from the item box and give them to Misty after putting them in a suitable leather bag .

　　“This…”

　　“Won’t it be hard without money?”

　　Does acting this way make me look like an easy mark to Misty? (TL: Could also be saying Misty looks like a soft person?)

　　“…Why…this much . ”

　　Looks look back and forth between me and the bag of gold coins .

　　Her eyes are misting over (TL: Heh, see what I did?), one tear, two tears, they stream down her cheeks .

　　“I’m just a guy who half-heartedly interfered . I’m weak to women . Also, you can use the gold to hire a carriage, so getting a fresh start should be easy . ”

　　“…Thanks, fufu, what a meddlesome guy . Purposely saying something so harshly . Trying to hide your kindness is useless . However, it’s good I met you . Our time together was short, but my view of life changed . I, until now, have only ever lived for my own pleasure… knowing a good person like you exists, I want to believe what you said, that this world isn’t only filled with evil . Shuya… can we meet again?” (TL: How many girls is this? I think this is a new record . )

　　Misty says while wiping away her tears .

　　Her casual words touch me . Helping you was just the right thing to do…

　　However, I don’t let her see such feelings .

　　“…We may meet . If Misty lives seriously, we will surely meet again . ”

　　“Really?”

　　“Ah, well then,”

　　“Nyao . ”

　　“Ah, ma-”

　　We part on friendly terms .

　　I can tell that Misty doesn’t want to part, but I prompt popob.u.mu and head down the slope .

　　I return to the crossroads and join the crowd .

　　I have releases the former n.o.ble turned thief .

　　Honestly, I pity her a bit because she was Zoru’s younger sister .

　　Seeing the seal on her forehead makes me recall that time .

　　Zoru and Theta smiling as they died, then leaving Yui…

　　Ma, I am irresponsible .

　　It could be said that I drove off a troublesome person with money and a vague promise to meet again .

　　I move down the main street with such a guilty conscience .

　　I advance down the main street heading west .

　　A luxurious hotel is situated at the corner of a group of large buildings .

　　There are old-fas.h.i.+oned trading companies and new armor shops lined up .

　　This area has ambiance .

　　There are multiple chimneys near the blacksmiths .

　　Dense black smoke is rising from them .

　　I’m curious, so I guide Popob.u.mu to toward those shops .

　　It’s like a shopping street . (TL: Think Tamako Market)

　　There is a lump of black ore in place of a signboard .

　　The name of the shop 【Hadi’s Shop of Flame and Edge of Steel】 is carved on the sign .

　　The next sign is carved a giant sword and says【Gateau & Feizman】 .

　　The shop next to is a round steel bar with【Elizado’s Miscellaneous Goods Shop】carved .

　　Then is a mallet, s.h.i.+eld, and multiple shops with crystal-like signboards .

　　Each of the signboards has a common point .

　　The signboards are all under the eaves, and a small wooden dragonfly hangs from the signs .

　　Even now, the carved dragonflies shake in the wind .

　　It’s not a replacement for wind-chimes, perhaps is a sign indicating they can handle demon steel alloy .

　　The emblem is probably something like a mascot .

　　Looking in from outside it gives the impression of a shopping street .

　　Small alleys are stretching from the shopping street .

　　The smaller roads lead to the depths of the city .

　　I like the fact that I can casually find the back-streets .

　　Reopening the back-alley street?

　　I’ll make a detour and take a little look .

　　Perhaps, the great tree might be this way .

　　The houses a built differently than the ones in Hector, there are plenty made from stone . With the feeling of exploring, I push Popob.u.mu forward .

　　It looks like there is an established sewer, I can’t be sure, but there is a metal manhole cover .

　　Stepping cautiously on the cover with Popob.u.mu, we advance through the narrow and slightly dirty street .

　　For a little, we pa.s.s through the small streets- I then hear jeering sounds .

　　Curious, I approach the sounds .

　　“Surround ’em, surround ’em, corner them . ”

　　“Ben, you sure?”

　　“Ah, 【Gaia’s Scale】 (TL: Balance scale) Iron Hammer Victor . Also, that woman is the leader “Fireball Mia . ” (TL: New heroine, get)

　　There’s a fight in a cul-de-sac .

　　A bunch of bearded bandit looking men wearing strained dark robes are gathered .

　　“Oh, that woman next to the hammer guy is the leader?”

　　“Yeah . The subordinate has become the prey of the iron hammers . It’s a mistake, right?”

　　The group of dirty men is talking .

　　“However, it’s not ‘Dumas’s Four Arms . ’ Be careful . ”

　　A thin and weak looking man is instructing a fat man .

　　“Zoha-ani is cautious . In this situation, it can’t be helped even if we’re careful . When it comes to Dumas, he’s a helpful guy . Look, these are the only guys left . If we take their leader’s head, the well-established 【Gaia’s Scale】 will end here . ”

　　The fat man laughs as he walks forward .

　　A guy to the side has an enraged expression .

　　“That’s right . Isn’t luck on our side?”

　　“Oh! Uhyahya, chance, chance . Before taking her head, that woman…hehe . ”

　　The fat man is looking at the woman with his weapon in hand while breathing roughly .

　　“Ah? You after something too?”

　　“Salad, are you stupid? (TL: Heh, what a stupid name . ) Do you think I’ll let such good woman go?”

　　“Then, Ben, it’s a contest . She’ll go to whoever kills her soldier . ”

　　“Good, I’ll have my fill! Do it, you hear? Gooo, crush, crush, crus.h.!.+”

　　They’re working themselves up to fight the soldier, they look like bandits, but they seem to have a leader .

　　“The first kill, dieeeee!”

　　“Hyahha, kill!”

　　They noticed me since I approached .

　　I tap Popob.u.mu’s stomach and advance .

　　I approach the side of the group .

　　“Oi, doing whatever ya want, you, what, want to compete? It has been decided that I’ll take that la.s.s . ”

　　The skinny man says with hallow eyes .

　　“Ha? Zoha Aniki, what did you say? I’m going first!”

　　“Ben and Salad, I, the oldest brother, am going first . Ano, I’ll be the first one to take that smooth a.s.s, hehe . ”

　　The men are talking with vulgar looks .

　　“Again, aniki always goes first, let us have a taste once in a while . ”

　　“Iya, iya, even that woman, if I were her I’d rather be violated by a thin man than a fat one . ”

　　“-Oi, Ben, Salad, you perverted brothers, it’s useless, capture Mia alive, it’s an order from Oze and Jane . ”

　　That? Those noisy brothers seem to have been vice-leaders .

　　The one who spoke last must have been the actual leader .

　　With a long sword in hand, he scolds the fishy men with a commanding tone .

　　However, suddenly .

　　Entering the alley, I encounter the inter-guild war .

　　Although a say that, it’s 40 people versus 15, it looks more like a war of extermination . The small number is back into the corner .

　　It’s one-sided .

　　-Oh?

　　The suspicious men were saying there was a beautiful woman among those who were cornered .

　　It’s a beauty with long black hair .

　　Black eyes and tiny arched eyebrows . She’s a j.a.panese looking woman?

　　Cornered, her eyes contain a harsh light, but they seem to say she will absolutely survive . So, I can feel her intentions .

　　Her dress reveals her white thighs .

　　The leather armor she is wearing has visible tears and damage .

　　Her thighs look soft, they’re splendid .

　　Her dress is torn .

　　In such a state, I can understand why the perverts are so worked up .

　　She has a cane in her hand, so she seems to be a magic user .

　　Next to her is a middle-aged man who is desperately protecting her .

　　He swings the large iron hammer with a severe expression .

　　Oh, he blew away an enemy with it .

　　You know, that guy .

　　He’s cool . He reminds me of the two Deva kings standing guard .

　　The wrinkles on his face stand out, and with his hammer and old man beard, he looks like a guardian Devas .

　　“Guaa-”

　　“Tch, Iron Hammer Victor, huh? As expected, he’s strong . ”

　　In this case… Should I side with the old devas and the beautiful woman? (TL: I’m translating 仁王 as Devas guardian, a Devas is from Buddhism, but it doesn’t sit right with me . If anyone has a better translation leave a comment or mention me on the discord . )

　　To say, I think I’ll generally save someone if they’re a beautiful woman .

　　Where to put Popob.u.mu…oh, there, there . I’ll leave him in the alley over there .

　　I quickly hurry there .

　　“Popob.u.mu, stay still here in the shadows, alright?”

　　“Bubo~”

　　Popob.u.mu calls out lively .

　　While patting Popob.u.mu, I tie to some metal parts of the building .

　　“Rollo, let’s go, prepare for battle . ”

　　“Nya . ”