Vol. 1 Chapter 2 (2/2)

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Chapter 2

(2/2)

"My name is Tilarna·Balsh·Mirvor·Lata═Imsedaria·Ye·Teberena·Divor═Nerano·Seya·Neru·Exedilika. .....It means 『The daughter of Exedilika family, firstborn daughter of Seya, descendant of archduke Divor, apprentice knight under the glorious order of Mirvor, Tilarna』 in you dorini's English, do you understand? Now, what's your name?"

"Kei Matoba."

"Kei Imatuba?"

For some reason, the girl knited her eyebrows.

"It's Kei Matoba. San Teresa Police Department sergeant and detective, special vice squad."

"Is that your full name? Kei·Matoba═San·Teresa·Bolice·Debartment═Sergeant═And·Detective═Sbecial·Vice·Squad?"

Farbanian language doesn't have the sound 'P'. That's why when the Semanians that were raised on that side try to speak this side's language the words like 'police' will be pronouced more like 'bolice' instead.

"No, that's not it. My full name is only Kei Matoba."

"So short."

The Semanian girl openly displays a scornful expression.

"Is it strange?"

"No, the lowborns having a short name is a normal thing, I do not pay any attention. Normally I go by Tilarna Exedilika."

The girl's thin bladed sabre made a short metallic sound as it goes back into the scabbard in a blink of an eye. From that small body and thin arms were the skillful use of the blade he didn't imagine is possible.

"You are the first conversation partner since I came to the dorini's land. Therefore, as an exception I shall specially permit you to call me 'Bona·Tilarna'. Be grateful."

'Bona' would be roughly translated as 'Miss' in English.

"Then, carry my luggage to where it will not be hit by these salty breeze, Kei Imatuba."

"It's Kei Matoba."

"Whatever your name is. Just hurry up and carry the luggage."

The Semanian noble——— Tilarna·(omitted)·Exedilika, without a care, arbitrarily walked into the boat's cabin.

Inside the boat on the way back to San Teresa, Matoba desperately tries to suppress the feeling of boiling anger in his stomach.

I'm supposed to be a detective, you know?

Not only does he have to become a sham diplomat, now he's also stuck with being a babysitter.

That Tilarna or something girl, no matter how you look at her, at most she would look like a middle schooler. Well, it's true that Semanians tend to look quite a bit younger than their age would otherwise suggest. Even if a Semanian is 45 years old, they would look similar to a 30 years old Earthling. Furthermore, one Semanian year is shorter than one Earth year, therefore a 45 years old person according to 'Semani year' would be about 36 years old in 'Earth year'. It's a remarkably complex subject. In addition, as stated in the treaty between Earth and Semani, this side must treat them with respect to their age in 'Semani Year'.

In the documents Tilarna brought with her, it was written that her age is '27 years old (Semani year)'.

(Convert to this side year would be....)

After he did some rough algebra in his head, she should be around 20. At least she's more or less legally an adult.

He takes a glance at the side of Tilarna's face.

Still, however he looks, she looks to be around 13-14 years old.

Why does he have to waste his time escorting this girl? Especially now that he want to hurry and continue his work tracking down the one who killed Rick as soon as possible.

Well, she's a beautiful girl. That much is clear just by looking at the behaviour of the crews, most of those who're free from work would find some sort of excuse just to take a peek at Tilarna on the bridge at least once.

Certainly, Tilarna is genuinely beautiful.

You can call it a beauty coming straight out of CGI. There's almost no imperfection to speak of, an ethereal beauty. That's what makes Matoba wary. If a thing likes beauty without favourable impression were to exist, surely that thing would be the quality this girl possesses.

Tilarna was sitting arrogantly in the seat on the bridge.

Perhaps due to boredom or something, she soon started looking around curiously at the various instruments installed on the bridge—— such as the navigation instrument, the communication equipment, and radar control panel. Every time she reaches her hand to the switch or dial on the control panel, Matoba has to warn her with 'don't touch it' everytime.

"Why can't I touch it?"

After the fourth 'don't touch it', Tilarna asked in displeasure.

"Because that's the reset switch for the navigation equipment's connector."

"Reset switch? What's that?"

"It's for resetting all the data configurations and returning the navigation data to initial value.... Ah—— anyway, just know that it will break and reset everything."

"Can't understand at all."

"Just don't touch it."

Tilarna then, for some reason, talked in admonishing tone.

"Listen here, Kei Imatuba is it? I'm not boasting here, but I'm a person of very high status. While it may be true that the lowborn person such as yourself has things that cannot be touched, but there are not that many things that I'm not allowed to touch."

"I'm not following...."

"I'm saying that, even if I touches it, this device won't be tarnished. Not only that, my guardian spirit is the third apostle of Kizenya. My fingertips might even have Latina dwelling in them."

"I don't know what's that third apostle or whatnot, but I kinda understand what you meant."

Perhaps she didn't notice the sarcasm in Matoba's respond, Tilarna smiled a little on her face.

"So you understand? Then don't forbid me from touching anything again."

Having said that she then reached her hand toward digital navigation instrument.

"Don't touch it."

"Muu...."

"Don't touch it, it's not about tarnish or blessing or anything. In any case, don't touch it."

He said in a firm tone. The girl intently stared at Matoba for several seconds. Before long, maybe she think it's no use arguing with him, she looks out the window without saying anything.

He feels a little guilty, maybe he's too harsh to a child opponent.

(No, no, wait a second.)

Even if she seems so, this alien is not a child. Even if wanting to play around with the things on the boat she's on the first time might seems like children behaviour, she's definitely not one.

There's no need to pity her. She can hate all she want, we won't be together in a few hours anyway.

Getting her to the car at the pier, heads into the city, and guides her through the elevator to the 14th floor of the police department building. That should be all there is to their relationship.

That's what he thought at that time.

After they disembarked at the Coast Guard base and passed through some brief document check, Matoba carried Tilarna's luggage to his car. Maybe the incident on the boat still leaves a bad taste in her mouth, Tilarna, without helping him, looks at the scenery of the port with distrustful eyes.

"Let's go. Get in the car."

He slammed the car's boot closed and jerked his chin to the front passenger's seat. Tilarna stood still in front of the car's door and kept staring at the door handle.

"Don't tell me you don't know how to open the door?"

".....No."

Matoba sat in the driver's seat and started the engine. Tilarna still stands there, her eyes focus on the slightly vibrating bonnet.

Even if it's true that, to the Semanians that don't have culture of industry, car is a strange being, but it shouldn't be to the point of 'never seen before tool'. Because a few Earthlings that live on that side should be using cars in their daily lives. More importantly, if internal combustion engine is really that strange, her eyes would be popping out by the time she boarded the Coast Guard's boat.

"Just hurry up and get in. You should know about the car already, shouldn't you?"

"O....of course! Are you an idiotrakebai?[1]"

After saying that, Tilarna clumsily opened the door and tried to get into the front passenger's seat.

At that moment, the scabbard on her waist bumped into the door. Suddenly losing her balance, the girl stumbled head first to the driver's seat, her face collide with Matoba's abdomen.

"Unyuuu..."

The Semanian made strange sound.

Tilarna, lying face down between Matoba's legs, is not moving at all for several seconds. He also doesn't know how should he respond, so he stiffly sits there, clutching the steering wheel.

".....Oi"

After he said that, Tilarna got up, corrected her posture and acted like nothing had happened. Her porcelain white cheek is slightly blushing, he's also feeling awkward so he pretends to not see it.

She took the scabbard that's stuck with the door off along with her belt and shoved it into the car before closing the door.

"P....pay no attention. Let's go."

Saying just that, Tilarna turns her face away to look outside the window.

"Door isn't closed."

"W....what's it?"

"The door wasn't closed properly. Can you open the door again, and close it forcefully?"

"Is that so? I understand."

Tilarna closes the door again as instructed.

"Let's go."

He drives his Cooper S off. After they left Coast Guard base, they headed from the harbour district to the city centre. Tilarna only looked outside the window, never once did she look Matoba's way.

Having almost no conversation that can really be called a conversation between them, they arrived at the 15-floors police department building, then he took Tilarna to the director's office on the 14th floor.

Director and boss Roth are waiting for them.

"We're expecting you, Miss Exedilika."

Director grandiosely gestures with his hands and body, welcoming Tilarna with excessively ceremonial words, and ends his speech wishing that her visit this time will be worthwhile. On the other hand Roth simply says 'Welcome to San Teresa' only.

There's no reaction to the young appearance of Tilarna. These two must've known who's the Semanian visiting beforehand.

"Thank you for your hard work, sergeant Matoba."

"I've already brought her here. Well, if you will excuse me."

After he half-heartedly responded to director's thanks, Matoba quickly tried to leave the room. This is not the time to be worried about some weird Semanian girl. His mind is already thinking about finding who killed Rick.

But his boss Roth called him to stop.

"We aren't finished yet."

"What's it?"

"It's about her."

"?"

While still gripping the door knob, Matoba deeply furrows his brow.

"Is there anything more about young lady about there, sir? If it's about sightseeing guide, can't you use someone from the admin office? She's quite fluent in English anyway."

"Don't say something so disrespectful, sergeant Matoba! This is absolutely not about sightseeing guide."

Director angrily said that, before turning around and, in obsequious tone, told Tilarna with his smattering Farbanian 'excuse us, this man simply doesn't understand the circumstances.'.

"Then what's it?"

"She's also tracking down that fairy."

Said Roth.

"It's the fairy that was snatched from you yesterday, seems like it wasn't just a normal fairy."

"She's Fiel. Fiel·Queze·Badeli."

Tilarna corrected him.

"In your English it has the meaning of 'Great High Fairy'. She lives in the 'Forest of Perpetual Night', west of Farbani. She's an important Fiel of a powerful clan."

"Ahh— ...meaning?"

Although Matoba can speak Farbanian to some degree, he's not familiar with these kind of words and phrases. In truth, most of the Farbanian he knows are words like 'Do not move!', 'Freeze!', 'You're under arrest.' or 'I'm going to kick your asses.'.

Director further explained.

"Meaning, that fairy is an important person from a powerful clan in Semani. She was kidnapped from that side since 7 days ago. The only thing we know is that some smuggler brought her to this side. And this lady Exedilika was sent to protect that fairy according to the Semani's order of knights's instruction .....is that correct, ma'am?"

"It's roughly as you said."

Tilarna·Exedilika arrogantly puffed her chest out and nodded.

"As per the agreement between the Kingdom of Farbani and the country of United Nations, knights of Mirvor, including apprentice knights, are permitted to enforce justice in dorini world. For the sake of protecting the Great High Fiel, I, in the name of the king of Farbani, formally request your support in my investigation."

".....So, it's as she said."

"I see. ....And, that agreement or something, how does it have anything to do with me staying here?"

"You're going to work with her."

Roth said.

"What?"

"You're going to do the investigation with her."

Matoba stood there stupidly for a moment.

"Me? With this alien?"

"That's discriminatory, sergeant Matoba. Call her Miss Exedilika."

Director's order doesn't reach Matoba's ears at all.

"Can't you stop this already? My 4-years partner got killed just half a day ago, even other detectives are working at this very moment. Why do you have to push all these troublesome works only to me again? Boss, don't you want to find the one who killed Rick at all?"

Matoba said that in anger, Roth immediately walked up to him and looked him in the eyes.

"Matoba, say that again, and this time look me in the eyes."

His voice is trembling with suppressed fury, his normally cold eyes flicker in zealous flame. There's no way boss doesn't want to catch the one who killed Rick.

"Then why don't you let me concentrate on my work?"

"I've never said you can't concentrate on your work."

"That's easier said than done, you know?"

"That's your problem. A case involving Semanians also has things that can only be understood by Semanians. There might be a need to do things like this again in the future. You liking her or not is not important now."

In this San Teresa Police Department, there's never been even a single Semanian police officer since the foundation of the department 10 years ago when this city stopped being under the control of United Nations military. Because it's universally recognised that the law on the Earth side should be enforced by Earthlings, which is done until today.

"I see, so I'm the guinea pig?"

"If you understand and call it like that that's your problem, if you still don't like it you can turn in your badge right this moment."

"So that's the order. Even if I say 'go eat shit', can I even deny it?"

"You can try. But even if it's you, I won't go easy you know?."

The two detectives glared directly at each other, none of them spoke for a while.

Director uncomfortably sat down on the sofa and feeling around his pockets searching for his cigarettes. The other onlooker—— Tilarna·Exedilika watched Matoba and Roth with indifferent eyes, before loudly cleared her throat.

"Dispute between fellow dorinies is not my business. But———"

Said Tilarna.

"——it seems like you are ignoring my thought on the matter. Among the bolicemen here, I have no intention to partner with anyone but the experienced, valorous, well-mannered, and resourceful warrior boliceman. That stubborn lowborn man over there, I do not think he fits my aforementioned criteria?"

"Alien, just shut up."

"Look, this! Shouldn't you just let this ill-mannered man go wherever he wants? Assigning this barbarian to guide me would just be equal to looking down on us Farbanian people."

Tilarna angrily said that. Looks like her accumulated displeasure since their meeting on the boat has finally exploded. She tried to be as threatening as much as her small body can be. While it's true that Matoba's behaviour is not a praiseworthy one, but it's not like it's to the point that it will become a diplomatic issue.

"But, Miss Exedilika....."

Director mumbled something, before looking to boss Roth for help.

Roth followed him up right away.

"While his manner might be as you said, but detective Matoba does meet all your other requirements. Within this San Teresa Police Department, he's one of our most excellent police officers. He solved a large number of difficult cases and received various decorations for saving lives, he also knows the city very well and has a lot of connection with the locals. Moreover, he used to be in the Army's Special Reconnaissance Unit, for that reason he's also very proficient in 'Art of War'."

"This man?"

Tilarna looked intently at Matoba's face again as if to closely reexamine him. Still, the only feeling can be seen on her eyes was disbelief.

"I cannot see what you said. More importantly, I———"

Boss cut in while Tilarna's in the middle of her sentence.

"If you want an officer who's well-mannered but useless in other ways, we can provide you with that. But don't expect that officer to help you protecting your important fairyFiel."

"........"

"Do you still think manner and outer appearance important? Frankly, we would like you to put aside your preference this time around."

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↑ 1.Yes, she said 'Baka'.

Translator's Note

That's it for the second chapter! I'll try to release next chapter as a whole chapter release so it might take a week or two longer than usual.

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Vol. 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

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Chapter 2

(1/2)

The time was too late to be called morning.

After the boat has set sail at 8 AM from San Teresa, it has already been about an hour.

This place is almost on the equator, so the sun should've already been right above our heads, but the overcast sky has so much cloud that it doesn't look so bright. Under the skyline is the depressingly grey ocean, and the overcast sky is full of clouds dyed pink by the sun.

The 〈Golden Heart〉 boat that Matoba is currently on is one of the Coast Guard's small high-speed boats, there's a .50 calibre machine gun installed on its bow. The crew told me that if they need to, the boat can easily reach 50 knots (approximately 90 km/h).

On its stern are the flag of Kariana Autonomous Region under United Nations and the Stars and Stripes flag of the United States. Technically, Kariana Autonomous Region and its city, San Teresa, is 'under no country's jurisdiction', but in practice it's under the management of government of the United States. Like when Matoba wants to question arrested suspect, he has to read their Miranda Rights to them according to the precedent set by Miranda v. Arizona, because American citizens are the overwhelming majority, in addition, even if there are Japaneses like Matoba and immigrants from other countries, there is almost no Semanian, whether it's in the Coast Guard or the police.

"We're almost there."

One of the crews told Matoba who is standing on the port side of the deck, his hands are holding onto the guardrail trying his very best not to tumble onto the deck of the rocking boat.

〈Golden Heart〉 slowed down. The latitude here isn't even that different from Okinawa or Taiwan, but the ocean is freezingly cold and the sun cannot be seen on the sky. Moreover, the fog is starting to envelope the area. 10 minutes ago the skyline can still clearly be seen, now he can only see out to about 100 metres.

It's always like this near the 'Mirage Gate'.

Mirage Gate is a mysterious space that links the world on the other side and this side together.

But it's not like it's the thing that can be seen with naked eyes, nor does it stay in a specific place, nor is there only one place where the space like this appeared. Most of the time there are 10 places like this, but when there're a lot of them they can be over 50 scatter around the Kariana Island. The gates behave like a pressure centre on the weather map, constantly appear and disappear without anybody able to hypothesise the criteria for its appearance.

Only the Mirage Gate which appeared in the middle of the ocean 45 nautical miles southwest of San Teresa is different. Because it maintains its stability and appearance most of the time, it's being called 'Silk Road' and is the only place being accepted as formal trade route.

The high-speed boat came to a stop and turned its engine off.

On the surface of the ocean surrounded by fog, silent crept in. The only surface vessel in the area is their boat, 〈Golden Heart〉. There is only quite sound of waves. He can hear the footsteps of Coast Guard crews walking toward him on the deck.

Captain is walking toward Matoba who's leaning against the guardrail.

"Got seasick?"

"Ah, I'm okay sir."

"I'm impressed, some police gave up even before they're off the coast."

"I used to be a soldier."

"Hou."

"It's with the army, but there're often missions in the wetland, we had to use the boat until we're sick of it."

Captain looks at Matoba with great interest.

"Have you been to the other side?"

"Yes, I was there as a Peace Keeping ForcePKF, that's what it was called anyway. But the important thing is that when I crossed over to that side, I was packed into the transport plane. This is the first time I've ever seen the gate."

"Well, even if you say see, nobody can see the Mirage Gate anyhow."

Captain said while narrowing his eye as if trying to see through to the other side of the fog.

"In order to know the exact size and position of the Mirage Gate we need to analyse data from the observation satellites, it has its unique magnetic and infrared signature. We can never cross to the other side by relying only on our digital nautical chart and instrument on board."

"I've heard so too."

"But those aliens, they can cross without using any electronic equipment. They don't have the concept of electromagnetic wave, not even the concept of universal gravitation, but they can find the location of the gate just by reading the movement of wind and water current. Hell it's even more accurate than ours."

"That's why there is no decrease in Coast Guard's work, is it?"

"It's as you said, we don't have enough ship, and in these sea radar doesn't help very much at all. If we want to stop these swarms of smugglers and illegal immigrants we need more than double the budget and manpower we have now. There are only idiot shitheads in the autonomous region government ivory tower. It's much better back when we're fighting drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea"

While he's listening to the captain's rant, he fixedly looked to the side of the boat.

He thought he was hallucinating but it was not. On the other side of the atmosphere enveloped in fog, a gigantic shadow slowly emerged.

At first it looks like two spires towering over the ocean.

But when it's slowly closing in on them, they can make out that it's a huge sailing ship. It's a large catamaran with a mast on each hull. The masts tiled outward away from the twin hulls cast a complex shadow. Countless ropes dangle from the masts and yards, a number of them tying to the support braces creating a mysterious atmosphere like when a monster appears.

He can vaguely make out a silhouette moving around on the mast.

This type of ship never appear in the history of humankind, there's no mistake that this is a Semanian ship. On the sails a crest can be seen. It's a motif of a bird's eye, the crest of the Farbani royal family.

"The noble is here."

Captain whispered to him.

"Don't know how the hell do they use those masts to sail, maybe it's good for tight manoeuvring, but it doesn't seem to be able to hold out in strong wind. Seem like the material properties of the wood on that side is quite different from this side. Well, Those guys also say that this side ships instead that seem to capsize at a moment notice."

There are signal horn and bell sounded from the Semanian ship that's closing in.

They're probably stopping their ship. The crews on the ship are running around performing their task busily, the large sails are reefed according to the order, the rudders kicking up waves slowing the ship down. The ship came to a stop near the port side of the 〈Golden Heart〉 that Matoba's team is on with astonishing accuracy.

The ship's length is probably more than 3 times longer than the ship he's on. Both its size and its majesticness are overwhelming. He can now see faces of the crews that are looking down his way.

It doesn't have the feeling of being an old, disrepair ship like when it's seen from afar. It's a well maintained ship with a recently applied coat of paint.

The side of the hulls are decorated with a strange but elegant pattern, the circular carvings here and there remind him of 'Eyes' stoically watching him, those numerous 'Eyes' are glaring at their tiny little patrol boat.

The ship doesn't have any cannon. That's because Semanians don't know what a cannon is.

What's on the ship instead are large ballistas that seem like it would be good for sieging a castle, there're 15 of them on each side. The length of each ballista is equal to about two adults with their arms stretched out, the darts used are as tall as a grown man.

Even if it looks intimidating, the combined firepower of those ballistas is no match for one of this side's .50 calibre machine gun. At least as long as those ballistas and the ship hulls aren't enchanted with their artsmildi.

The ropes were thrown, and two vessels from different worlds are connected together alongside.

After some exchanges in Farbini and English, a ladder was lowered from the ship. The crews with nothing to do on that side look at this side's boat with curious eyes. Each of them wears only plain shirt and pants. They seem to whisper something to each other, point to this direction, and then laugh. They're probably talking in Farbanian, but their accent is so thick he couldn't make out what they're saying.

The captain who's busily preparing the ship to be boarded comes and taps Matoba on the shoulder.

"The noble's going to board soon, it's your job now."

The captain said.

After they carefully secured the unexpectedly sturdy ladder in place, a short whistle signal was given out, then one of the crews from that side boarded this side's boat. The person who boarded this side's boat is wearing a white cloak with small stature. He still cannot see their face because they still facing away from him, but he can see their blond hair, seems like they're still a child. They're probably the noble's retainer.

They use rope and pulley to transport several leather-covered box down to the boat, those are probably the luggage of said noble.

Speaking of him, when will that great important noble board anyway?———— Matoba thinks while looking up at the sailing ship, the petite retainer walked pass him.

The ship's bell sounded again. The crews shouted something and the ladder was lifted up.

"........?"

The VIP still haven't boarded their boat yet. What does this mean?

Before the eyes of Matoba who's making a confused face and the captain and his crews, the ladder was completely raised up.

"Oi"

The retainer said in fluent English.

No, not a retainer, on the contrary, not a man either.

"I'm apprentice knightbalsh of Mirvor, Exedilika, don't dorini have any etiquette for welcoming guest?"

A girl. She seems to be a girl in her early teen.

Her skin is white——— so white that it's as if there is not a drop of blood flowing under her skin. Her flowing golden blond hair looks like one perfect solid piece as though it's made from some kind of synthetic fibre. The high-class tunic she wears embroidered with elaborate design. Her cloak and tights don't have even a single stain on it. On her waist is a sheathed thin-bladed sabre. Her big eyes slanting slightly upward, reminding him of the cold and arrogant predatory felines. Her perfectly shaped lips pout in displeasure, not a fragment of loveliness left.

On the surface of the ocean enveloped in greyish atmosphere, only the area surrounding this girl seems to be in a different world.

Alien.

Up until now he has seen many Semanians, but he has never seen anyone giving a feeling of 'mythical creature' as this girl before. Rather, this girl existence is similar to that shining fairy in a glass jar.

Is this person that VIP noble? Shouldn't that be some bearded old man somewhere? The girl intently stares at Matoba whose mouth is stupidly half-open. Somehow it reminds him of the black cat at home looking up at him when it's hungry.

"Can't you understand English?"

"No.... I do understand it."

The girl breathed a sigh of relief before quickly puffed her chest up in an overbearing manner.

"Then respond. To simply ignore me, what kind of manner is that?"

"I wasn't aware."

"Fumu, is that so?"

The girl suddenly draws the sabre on her waist, making a sharp sound as it cutting through the air. The tip of the sabre barely missed Matoba's nose. Before the flinching Matoba, the girl stands upright and swings the sabre left and right, then holds it diagonally in front of her chest. She then said in a resounding voice.

"My name is Tilarna·Balsh·Mirvor·Lata═Imsedaria·Ye·Teberena·Divor═Nerano·Seya·Neru·Exedilika[1]. .....It means 『The daughter of Exedilika family, firstborn daughter of Seya, descendant of archduke Divor, apprentice knight under the glorious order of Mirvor, Tilarna』 in you dorini's English, do you understand? Now, what's your name?"

⛌⛌⛌⚖⚔⚖⚔⚖⛌⛌⛌

↑ 1.ティラナ・バルシュ・ミルヴォイ・ラータ=イムセダーリャ・イェ・テベレーナ・デヴォル=ネラーノ・セータ・ネル・エクセディリカ

Translator's Note

That's the first part of the second chapter, on that note do you guys prefer the half chapter releases or whole chapter release that might be a little bit longer between releases? Tilarna's name is a little bit of a pain to translate, if you have any suggestion, feel free to post it in the comment.

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Vol. 1 Chapter 1 (2/2)

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Chapter 1

(2/2)

30 minutes later, the man with the "peace symbol" shirt who killed investigator Rick Fury and escaped with the fairy was found beside a large garbage can on the street 2 kilometres away from the scene.

In an already dead state, with no fairy to be found.

The body was found by a patrol leaving the area. Cause of death is exsanguination from multiple gunshot wounds and internal injuries from the bullets that were shot by Matoba. Normally the lungs would shut down and the heart would definitely stop beating within 3 minutes. There's no way anyone can run over 2 kilometres with this kind of injuries, it's definitely impossible "under this side's common sense".

It didn't take long before we identified the man with the "peace symbol" shirt. He moved into the city 2 years ago and was doing a retail work in the store that sells adult toy.

Nothing about him is out of ordinary, not his name, nor his job. The important thing is that the man with the "peace symbol" shirt was manipulated by someone to show a superhuman strength, kill Rick Fury, and escape. The only one who can do such a thing that he's aware of is a Semanian shamanMildiitar.

Even if the man was manipulated by someone and he wasn't conscious, Matoba's shooting is definitely a legitimate self-defence. There shouldn't be any argument that can be made for a second-degree murder.

"Even then, this kind of thing never happened before"

Said Inspector Jack Roth, who has just arrived on scene. He's the boss of the Special Investigation Unit that Matoba is in, basically his direct boss.

"Never happened before......?"

Matoba took a glance at the side of Roth's exhausted face.

The bodies of Fury and the other Filipino guy have already been moved elsewhere. He crouched down and leaned on the front bumper of the squad car, sipping his unsavouringly lukewarm coffee.

The forensic unit is already done with their usual works and preparing to leave. An hour from now, this alley will probably return to its usual tranquillity like nothing has happened.

"What do you mean by 'Never happened before'?"

"There has never been a case where a suspect escape from handcuffs by brute strength, kill an officer with bare hands, then run away for over 2 kilometres while fatally wounded. Even if it's true that there're reports about Semanian magic doing this and that, I've never heard an incident this big before."

Inspector Roth spoke in a cold and unfeeling tone.

Jack Roth is not even 50 years old yet, he doesn't have big stature, nor is he especially muscular. But for some reason he feels like a formidable person, like a kind of guy who wouldn't budge no matter who they faces. His pale face doesn't have any trace of smile, his smoke grey eyes are the eyes of those who have seen every horrible depth of human society. And there is an atmosphere around him that feels like a weary philosopher, it's as if his black overcoat is absorbing all the heaviness in the air of this street.

He's heard that the inspector has known the recently deceased Rick Fury for a long time, since the day he was a police officer in NYPD. Almost all of the police officers in San Teresa used to be a police officer in United States or elsewhere around the world.

Roth doesn't seem to want to reprimand or interrogate Matoba in particular.

"It's regrettable, about Fury."

"I'm sorry, boss."

"It's not your fault."

"I wonder if that was the case, I feel like I could've done better."

Matoba knows there's a Semanian magic that can manipulate people, not only does he know, he even experienced it himself before.

"I should've known"

"You couldn't have known, a manipulated victim often exhibit abnormalities in speech and behavior, but that Filipino guy didn't show any sign, did he?"

"That's probably so."

"Then I will repeat myself, this is not your fault."

"But———"

"That's enough, just leave the rest to the legal team."

Even if Roth's still speaking in his usual tone, he can still feel the slight irritation in his tone.

It's as he said, even if he meticulously describe his mistakes to his boss here, the only thing it will do is tire out both of them. Words alone cannot change anything.

"Yes, sir. But that fairy seems to be a special one"

"The suspect said so, correct?"

"He said it in Farbarnian, 'She's mine from the start' he also called me 'feeble barbariandorina·meta·baderi·na' with the word 'veryba·de·ri', I have never heard this word used elsewhere outside my Farbarnian language class, it's not the word that's commonly used among the immigrants."

『ba·de·ri』 is the word that's corresponded to the word 『very, extremely』, but it's an archaic word and only used in formal settings, common Semanians in this city usually use 『ba·da』.

"That means our suspect is probably well educated Semanian?"

"Well, he's a shaman, he's probably very well educated, but I still don't understand why he talked to me."

"Maybe there's no reason that sounds reasonable."

"Why is that so, sir?"

"Because their culture is unreasonable."

Matoba knows that Roth didn't conclude that 'They are uncivilised barbarians', Semanian culture is different from their culture. In Semanian world, Scientific thinking is not a common way of thinking, there is no concept of human rights or democracy. Of course they still have number 0, they still have trigonometry and metallurgy, but their paradigm is fundamentally different from ours. They decide what work to do that day based on the moon phase, they arrange marriage based on fortune teller predictions, and shout their name on the battlefield.

It really is unreasonable.

But even the human on this side has those kind of practices until just a few centuries ago, sometimes talking to Semanian make me think that the current human civilisation— the 21st century civilisation is the funny one instead

"We need to find that shaman and the fairy."

Said Roth.

"I've already informed the local police station, but I don't think they will be caught in our net that easily, it'll probably be faster asking the loot house or delivery boy."

"Right, I will also start snooping around too, starting from interrogating that damn Filipino about the place they got that fairy from."

Matoba standing up with difficulty, he then took a deep breath and move both his shoulders around. Even now his back that took impact from the wall with Fury is still sore.

"Others can do that job, you go back home and rest."

"Are you kidding me? Boss."

Matoba snorted in displeasure.

"Partner that've worked with me for 4 years just got killed. You think I can sleep with that? Even if I go back now, at most maybe I'll be in time for a rerun of 'X-Files', sadly I can't stand that show. Running that show in the city that has shamans and aliens walking in the street must be a joke. Resting? I'll pass on that."

"I don't care what channel you choose to watch, but I definitely not going to let you work"

Roth spoke firmly.

"You've worked for 30 hours since yesterday evening, pushing yourself now won't do anything any good. Go back. This is an order."

"Souu......" (TLN:Disappointed sound)

"Hand the report in within 9 AM tomorrow, then finish briefing with the homicide case investigator."

Matoba gave up on arguing with his boss.

What he's saying is also true, this case wouldn't be an easy one, pushing himeself now wouldn't make things better.

"Do you want me to tell Amy the news?"

He suddenly think of Mrs.Fury that is now a widow, so he asked his boss.

"Don't worry, I will....."

Roth suddenly stop.

"....No. You tell her first that we will come pick her up from her house, I'll take care of the rest."

"Affirmative."

"Sorry, I'll leave it to you."

"No problem."

Matoba shrugged his shoulders and walked to his car.

Cooper S Model 2002. It was the first model of the new generation of Mini that BMW produced. He climbed into the driver seat and was turning the ignition key when he noticed the cup holder in front of the gear lever. The paper cup that's filled with Rick Fury's coffee is still there.

Matoba hesitated a little before he thrown the cup that still contained coffee out the car window.

He doesn't feel like going home at the moment. So Matoba aimlessly drives through the city.

He drove through the Peninsula St. that's almost right beside the crime scene to the Methuselah St., it's already 2 AM but the night district like this one is still lively. Methuselah St. is like Kabukichou[1] of Japan, there are pubs, clubs, strip clubs and stores selling adult toys. On the sidewalk there are people, people and people everywhere.

It's a night city lit with neon lights like everywhere else in the world.

There are a lot of characters written on the paper with vivid colours, not only is there English, there are Russian, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese and many other languages that Matoba can't identify, probably Thai or Vietnamese, there're even things in Arabic, but what was written on the paper, even the long time resident of this city like him doesn't know.

Even Japanese can be seen quite often, but it was crudely written by someone who was doing a bad job copying it from other places, maybe from pictures or Japanese advertisements. Like 'Adolt Tov' or 'Delicius Griil Beef'. Other languages probably also suffer from the same problems. Matoba was raise in Atsugi[2], he thought those things were funny the first time he visited the city during the war, now it's just a normal everyday thing.

What different from other normal cities is that there's also Farbarnian.

It's the commonly used language on the 'other side'.

The well known Farbarnian for the earthling is the word 『Leto·Semani』, it's the word they used to their world, it means 'The land of the human', probably the same as the word 'Earth' we used.

But the Semanian world wasn't called 'Semanian Planet'

Because Semanian world isn't even a planet.

The thing known as space as Earthlings understand doesn't exist on Semanian world. We only know that there are oceans and landmasses on a giant hemisphere with a diameter of about 38,000 kilometres. But the area beyond that is shrouded in a thick sea of clouds, like the ancient myth about Earth.

Nobody knows what's beyond those clouds, teams of explorers from Earth have sent unmanned drones into the cloud time after time, but they lose communication with their drone every time.

Even if there are sun and moon in the sky, we aren't even sure if those are stars or planets. Even the rockets that we tried to send to collect data exploded to bits at an altitude of around 80 kilometres, the reason is unclear, but the Semanian said 'That's what you get for opposing the sky'.

Even when teams of explorers from Earth did everything they could, the data collected from the latest instruments doesn't make any sense when combined together, resulted in no particular finding. Even if there are various theories about Semanian space, not even one of those can be proven correct.

People in the world of Semani all laughed at the futile effort of Earthling explorers like it's none of their business, and show no sign of interest to the concept of space on this side at all.

There are many Semanians living in this city of San Teresa.

When the 'gates' appeared, they called the giant landmass that appeared over the Pacific Ocean 'Kariana Island', it used to be a peninsula in Semani, but was transported to Earth. Then the Earthlings came and settled on the ancient city that used to be on the penisula, that's the origin of the current San Teresa. This city is the city closest to the 'gate', you can say that it's a gateway of the worlds.

When he's on a street like this, he can see couple of Semanians in the crowd of people on the pavement. The word 'Semanian' itself roughly translated to the word 'Earthling' that people on that side generally use. But it seems like there're some physiological differences, so Earth's scholars wholeheartedly give the scientific name of Homo Semanika to Semanian people.

Whether it's the world mysteries or whatever, let just leave those to people who are obsessed with it. Currently, Matoba's problem as a police is that there really are people who come and go between the two sides, and within those people there are criminals among them.

He's almost out of the night district, he can't keep wandering aimlessly in the city forever.

He has things to do after this.

After he left the Methuselah St., he pulled over to the side. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and intensely stared at the screen, without doing anything.

He's not in the mood to make a call.

He doesn't know what to say to a woman who's becoming a widow.

He hesitated for around 3 minutes before somebody knocks the window on the driver's side. There are 3 young man looking at Matoba through the window.

They're Semanian.

Matoba rolled down his window and looks up at the young Semanian men with his exhausted eyes.

"Mister, we will wash your car for you."

One of the Semanian men talked.

"Is that so? I'm good, can you go away?"

"Don't be so cold, here, let me give you a complementary service."

One of the men spat on his windshield and rubbed it with his disgustingly dirty cloth. Where did these guys get these Earth's insults from? Matoba wondered.

"That's gonna be 300 dollars, you're paying right? Else your favourite car gonna get some scratches."

"Oioi"

Their fake business smiles are now nowhere to be found. Now there are only threatening glares on their faces. They started kicking his tires and hitting his roof, doing whatever they pleased.

"Hey! Get down! Get out of your car! You wanna die huh?"

"Stupid Earthlingdorini. Get out of the car! Fast!"

"It's only 300 dollars y'know?"

Should he get his badge from his pocket, draw his service pistol from his shoulder holster, or get his shotgun under his seat?

Matoba hesitated a little before saying no to all of those. Under this sort of mood, physical exercise is the best. So Matoba casually got out of his car and showed both his hands.

"Okay, okay, chill out."

"Quickly!"

"I'm getting my money out okay? Ah, Where was it again.....? Ah, found it! Here."

Matoba casually tossed his 25 cents coins that he has in his trousers pocket onto the ground. For a moment, the men look alternatively between Matoba and the coins on the ground, not understanding it means.

"Pick it up then, don't forget to say thanks."

The men's eyes dyed in a colour of anger. A man closest to Matoba quietly cursed under his breath and move up to Matoba, intending to grab him.

Here they come.

Matoba swiped the incoming right hand away and drive his palm into the man's chin. He then pulled the man that has lost his balance to him and kneed him in his unguarded solar plexus with great force. He heard the man cried out in pain, he then let the man collapse to the ground and turned to the other man that's lunging at him. He's taller than Matoba, his fists come flying, right, left, Matoba easily guarded them, then he counterattack by low kick him in the groin. *Bachin!* He landed a solid hit and the man staggered. He then landed a one-two punch like a professional boxer and finished grandly with a roundhouse kick. Matoba's overcoat fanned out like a folding fan. The second man fell to the ground lying face up with his arms and legs spread out on the street.

He quickly turns to face the last man that's charging him from behind, the man hesitates.

"What's it now? Come."

He gestured the man to come at him. The man mumbled something then shook his head side to side.

"That's enough for you?"

"Ahh....ah"

"Even among the weak Earthlingsdorini there are also some scary onii-san you know? If you're free enough to be a delinquent like this then go to school, school, you know?"

"Y, yes"

"It's 'Yes, sir', show some respect for your senior."

"Yes, sir"

"Good, you've finished my extracurricular activity, go wherever."

After the man helped his friends on the street walk, the Semanian men quickly leave that place. Matoba fixed his disordered cloths then sighed.

If these Semanian is a little bit older than this thing definitely wouldn't end like this. These young men grown up in this San Teresa, their skill isn't that different from this side delinquents', but if they're older— That is, if they're Semanians who're as old as Matoba, things would've gone quite badly.

The world on that side was in something like a Warring States period up until recently, in the world which doesn't have firearms or artillery pieces, people rely on their own body, their own flesh and blood, to survive. They're real professional in the arts of killing, forged with experience in real wars, they're in a different league entirely when compare to Earth's fighters. If he's not using gun, even Matoba would have a hard time fighting many people at the same time.

Well, whatever the case, he got to vent his frustration and now he's feeling refreshed.

He thought to himself that maybe his mood would improve, but that doesn't seem to be the case. He got back into his driver seat and looked at his phone, now he's depressed again.

There's no getting around it.

Matoba tossed his phone to the seat beside him, started the engine and drove for about 100 metres before hitting the steering wheel and roared.

"God damnit!"

Let just do it. He parked his car and picked his phone up then dialled the number without thinking. Toot... Toot..., the sound repeats time after time, if he wants to hang up he need to do it now, but while he's hesitating, the other side's already picked the phone up.

"Hello?"

It was a lively voice of a woman, it's Amy Fury's voice, he heard some laughter from some show on the television in the background.

"Amy, it's me."

"Oh, Kei? What's the problem, it's already this late. If it's about Rick, he's not home yet——"

She talked and then suddenly pause, seems like she can guess what happened just from Matoba's depressing tone.

"It's about him."

"It's not true right.....?"

"I'm sorry."

Then Matoba carefully choose his words and tell the young widow the whole story, it's a torture for him.

Getting beaten up by Semanian delinquents is probably preferable to this.

By the time he got to his home in New Compton it's already 2 AM.

New Compton is the warehouse area in the port district. The place he's renting is an old warehouse that was modified to be an accommodation. Downstair is a garage and storage area, on the 2nd floor is the living area.

After he parked his Cooper S Matoba walked up the narrow and steep stair to the 2nd floor, There was a cargo lift that had been used since when it was a warehouse, but it broke down when he moved in 3 years ago and he didn't do anything about it since. He probably need to have it fix if he wants to move out, otherwise he can't move the furnitures out.

"Now now."

Before he goes into the living room, he grabbed the dust mask that he hung on the doorknob and put it on, then took a deep breath of fresh cold air. He steps into the living room and switch the light on, there's some movement from the shadow on the sofa. It unsteadily move closer to him.

It's a black cat

But it's right hind leg seem to be injured so it moves sluggishly, when the black cat is in front of Matoba it turns around in a circle between his legs and meows at him.

"Hey don't be angry, this side is also very busy you know?"

He crouched down and pet its chin and head, the black cat purrs in respond, then it quickly notices the plastic bag from the convenience store that Matoba is holding and try to use its nose to sniff the bag. Matoba then takes a can of cat food out from the bag and opens the can with the tab on the can before handing it over to the cat.

"Here."

The black cat doesn't wait for Matoba's permission, it greedily digs into the cat food. He refills the bowl that's almost empty with water and places in beside the cat. This is the 'woman appointment' that he told Fury about.

He takes the letters that was packed full in the mailbox and lay them down on the table one by one. Maybe it's because his address isn't in a residential area, there hardly is any advertisement or flyer. There are only postcards from his friends from back when he was a soldier, statements from credit card company, and the notice from the company that manages this warehouse.

"Damn it!"

It's an invoice for an additional charge for his house. They says that if the lessee is an individual, they must pay an additional yearly fee of 1200 dollars. He's already rejected them multiple times because he never knew about that before he moved in. But it seems like the matter has already reached the court. Now whether he chooses to wave white flag and agree to pay them, or chooses to fight in the court, or chooses to move out immediately and find a new place to live, no matter what he chooses, it's going to cost him a fortune.

While he's still thinking about what to do, his phone ringed, it's a call from inspector Roth.

"About tomorrow, there's a change of plan. You go to the Coast Guard base, 0800 hours, the boat 〈Golden Heart〉 is anchored in dock 3"

"Haa?"

For what reason would a police like him has to board a Coast Guard ship?

"You know the Kingdom of Farbani's band of knights, correct?"

"A little."

Kingdom of Farbani is a large country with extensive history within the world of Semani, to the point that the most common language used is called Farbarnian. If you want to compare it to this world, Kingdom of Farbani is probably equivalent to this world Great Britain.

Over there there is no concept of police force or standing army, the closest thing to that is the royal guard called 『Knights of Mirvor』 of the Kingdom of Farbani. The Knights of Mirvor have the duty to both keep public order and protect the kingdom.

"There is going to be a noble from the Knights of Mirvor coming here. It's a VIP from the great noble lineage Exedilika, there is an order to welcome them to the best of our ability. You will be the one escorting them to the department."

"Escorting the noble? Me?"

Matoba can't believe his own ears.

"Are you joking? I'm an investigative police officer, not a diplomat, how can you send me to welcome a big VIP like that?"

"We're short on hands, and the only officer we have that can speak Farbarnian is you."

"I think I'll pass on guiding an old man sightseeing, just let me find the murderer in Rick case."

"We'll talk about that later. Just go and welcome them, that's an order."

"Shit!"

"Make sure there is no mistake."

Roth ended the call.

He tossed his phone onto the table and cursed his fate. He then coughed violently, his throat is irritated, his breathing is wheezing from his stuffy nose.

Troubled breathing is a symptom of people with asthma.

Just taking off his mask for a minute brings him to this state. He put the mask back on and bitterly stare at the black cat, it looks satisfied after it finished its meal.

"Happy, huh"

The black cat meows carefreely.

He walks into the bedroom deeper into the living room, the bedroom is a separate room so it's okay, he can take off his mask.

But when he opens the bedroom door trying to get in, the cat stretches its hind legs and try to follow him into the room.

"You can't."

Matoba picked the black cat up and thrown it onto the sofa in the living room. The cat fell onto a pile of cushions on the sofa and made a strange fu-nyaa sound.

"How many times do I have to tell you. Sorry, but we can't sleep together."

He pointed at the dejected black cat and closed the door. He presses the switch on a small vacuum cleaner hanging on the side of the wall to turn it on and uses it to carefully clean the area around the door, he then uses baby wipes to thoroughly clean his hands that have touched the cat.

This much should be enough.

He takes off his mask and undoes his necktie, then he immediately lies down on the bed without even taking off his shoes. Amy is probably receiving a 'it's most regrettable' speech from boss right about now. Rick body in the morgue is probably still warm. And the Semanian that killed Rick is also probably still smiling somewhere out there. Nevertheless, Kei Matoba is sleeping like a dead man, his fatigue drives him into deep slumber where he can't even see dream, and maybe that's a good thing.

⛌⛌⛌⚖⚔⚖⚔⚖⛌⛌⛌

↑ 1.A famous entertainment district best known for adult-oriented nightlife. Located in Shinjuku ward, Tokyo.

↑ 2.A city located in the Kanagawa Prefecture

Hello everyone, LightSeaGreen's here. This is my first novel translation project! Well, actually it was a lot of firsts for me, this is also my first blog, in fact. Cop Craft is one of my favourite novel series and I'm really happy that it was adapted into an anime (I haven't seen the anime yet though) so to celebrate, I'm picking up this series to translate, starting from the 2nd half of the first chapter that has already been translated by Okane ga Hoshii

I'm not a native English speaker so please expect a lot of mistakes :P Feel free to correct any mistake that I made (and will make) or you can contact me directly on Discord, my discord is Frosty#3589 or join my Discord server.

A lot of things are being set up at the moment, expect a fair bit of changes to the blog and Discord server soon.

I'm very new to this but I will try my best to release at least 1/4 of a chapter (a chapter is fairly long for this series) every 2 weeks, I'll keep you guys updated if I cannot meet the schedule.

《 Illustrations | TOC | Next Chapter 》