Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 4

by Ryo Shirakome

  “So you found out already, huh?”

  “Most of the guild’s higher-ups have an artifact that allows them to communicate with each other over long distances. Ur’s branch chief isn’t ranked high enough to have one, so I’d actually sent one of my subordinates there to relay information to me. The first time I’d ever heard him cry was when he tearfully reported how he’d lost sight of you a few minutes after you’d left Fuhren.” Ilwa smiled wryly. It seemed whoever he’d sent to Ur had wanted to tail Hajime to learn his secrets.

  Whether that had been on Ilwa’s instructions, or his own decision, he must have been quite frustrated that he’d lost sight of Hajime so soon. Then, after riding to Ur as fast as he could, he’d seen four people face off against an army of sixty thousand. Moments after that was over, he’d probably raced out of town to head back as fast as he could. He was probably riding to Fuhren as they spoke... Hajime couldn’t help but sympathize with the guy a little.

  Regardless of whether this artifact was a communication device, or some kind of scrying tool, Hajime had no intention of blaming Ilwa for sending someone after him. In fact, he was relieved the man he’d scouted as an ally was this cunning.

  Ilwa cleared his throat and put the subject of his spy’s trials and tribulations to the side.

  “Regardless, it must have been tough. To think the anomalies in the northern mountains had been the signs of such a disaster... I’m doubly grateful you chose to take this request. I’m truly interested in what power you must possess to be able to eliminate such an enormous army so easily... Would you mind telling me what happened there first?”

  “Sure, I don’t mind. But could you get Yue and Shea their status plates first? As for Tio—”

  “I see... You plan to show this man their stats. Very well. If that is your decision, Master, then may I be granted a plate as well?”

  “Well, you heard her.”

  “I suppose seeing all of your stats will lend some credibility to the story that you annihilated an army of monsters... Very well.” Ilwa could tell there was something special to Hajime and his party, even the newly added Tio. And so, he called over an attendant and had them bring three new status plates.

  Yue and the others stats were as follows:

  * * *

  * * *

  Yue Age: 323 Female Level: 75

  Job: Divine Priestess

  Strength: 120

  Vitality: 300

  Defense: 60

  Agility: 120

  Magic: 6980

  Magic Defense: 7120

  Skills: Automatic Regeneration [+Pain Dampener] — All Elemental Affinity — Spell Melding — Mana Manipulation [+Mana Emission] [+Mana Compression] [+Remote Manipulation] [+Increased Efficiency] [+Ether Absorption] — Image Composition [+Increased Imagination] [+Multiple Spell Image Composition] [+Delayed Casting] — Blood Conversion [+Body Strengthening] [+Mana Conversion] [+Stamina Conversion] [+Mana Strengthening] [+Blood Oath] — High Speed Mana Recovery — Creation Magic — Gravity Magic

  *Image Composition allows the wielder to use imagined magic circles in lieu of real ones. Blood Oath increases the effectiveness of bloodsucking abilities when the blood being sucked belongs to the contracted.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Shea Haulia Age: 16 Female Level: 40

  Job: Diviner

  Strength: 60 [Max 6100]

  Vitality: 80 [Max 6120]

  Defense: 60 [Max 6100]

  Agility: 85 [Max 6125]

  Magic: 3020

  Magic Defense: 3180

  Skills: Future Sight [+Automatic Activation] [+Branching Paths] — Mana Manipulation [+Body Strengthening] [+Partial Strengthening] [+Conversion Efficiency II] [+Increased Concentration] — Gravity Magic

  *Conversion Efficiency II allows one point of mana to increase two points worth of stats.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

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  Tio Klarus Age: 563 Female Level: 89

  Job: Guardian

  Strength: 770 [+4620 while in dragon form]

  Vitality: 1100 [+6600 while in dragon form]

  Defense: 1100 [+6600 while in dragon form]

  Agility: 580 [+3480 while in dragon form]

  Magic: 4590

  Magic Defense: 4220

  Skills: Draconification [+Dragon Scales] [+Mana Efficiency Up] [+Physical Stats Increase] [+Draconic Roar II] [+Wind Veil] [+Pain Conversion] — Mana Manipulation [+Mana Emission] [+Mana Compression] — Fire Resistance [+Decreased Mana Consumption] [+Increased Efficiency] [+Increased Duration] — Wind Resistance [+Decreased Mana Consumption] [+Increased Efficiency] [+Increased Duration] — Spell Melding

  *Draconic Roar II allows the wielder to use their dragonbreath while outside of dragon form. Wind Veil wraps the wielder in an armor of wind while draconified, aiding in their flight speed. Pain Conversion is a truly wonderful skill. It’s proof the wielder has opened the door to a new world. Come, partake of this wonderful sensation!

  * * *

  * * *

  Though they weren’t quite as broken as Hajime, each of them were strong enough to take on the rest of Hajime’s cheat-level classmates all at once. All of their best stats were so high that even Kouki with Limit Break wouldn’t have been able to match up to them. Naturally, most combat jobs wouldn’t even come close to their level of strength.

  And that was just their stats. Their unique skills and abilities had left Ilwa completely speechless.

  It was hardly surprising. Skills such as Blood Conversion and Draconification belonged to races that had supposedly gone extinct centuries ago. Furthermore, they were races that, according to the Holy Church, had betrayed the gods centuries past.

  And while Shea didn’t belong to a heretical race like Yue and Tio, her stats and abilities were completely abnormal for her species.

  “My word... I had expected to see something out of the ordinary, but not this out of the ordinary...” Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his usual smile was conspicuously absent. Unconcerned, Hajime began explaining what had happened at Ur. Normally, Ilwa would have laughed such a story off as impossible, but he had no choice but to believe Hajime after seeing their stats and skills.

  Once Hajime finished talking, Ilwa crumpled into the sofa, looking like he’d aged a decade.

  “No wonder you caught Master Catherine’s attention. I had assumed you were one of the summoned heroes, Hajime-kun, but... this is far beyond my expectations.”

  “So, what are you gonna do? Report us to the Holy Church for being heretics?”

  Ilwa hurriedly straightened up under Hajime’s piercing gaze.

  “That’s a good joke. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Turning you into my enemy would spell disaster not just for me, but likely for the entire guild. Besides, what kind of monster do you think I am? You lot are my saviors. I’ll never forget that, not for the rest of my life.”

  “I see. Then we’re good.” Hajime shrugged, as if apologizing for testing Ilwa. He gestured his thanks. Ilwa smiled and nodded in response.

  “As promised, I’ll do everything in my power to support you. Both as a manager of the guild, and as an individual. Though, after that little display of might, I doubt the higher-ups will be in any hurry to go after you. In order to make this easier for us, we’ll make your adventurer rank gold as well. Normally there’s a lot of silly ceremonies and formalities that accompany a promotion to gold rank, but... well I’ll make sure everyone accepts it. It’ll be easier since you have Master Catherine’s recommendation, along with my own. That, and your newfound reputation as ‘The Goddess’ Knight.’” Along with all of that, Ilwa also allowed them to stay at the VIP room in the guild-managed inn for as long as they were staying in Fuhren. Furthermore, he provided them a letter bearing his personal crest. He was serious about maintaining a friendly relationship with Hajime and his party.

  “Thanks a lot. The more cards we have to pl
ay, the better. Looks like it was worth racing all the way out to Ur after all.”

  “I’m glad you don’t regret it. However, I’m sure you’re aware those two girls’ identities will be discovered eventually, even if they don’t show people their status plates. Though I have pledged my support, in all honesty, it’s like trying to block a fireball with a piece of paper...” Ilwa scratched his cheek and smiled bitterly. Hajime brought his teacup to his mouth and shrugged his shoulders.

  “A piece of paper can be a good shield if you use it right. My job’s Synergist, you know? My duty is to make sure anything that can be useful is made useful. Don’t worry, I’ll make good use of your support.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah. Besides, remember what you said when you asked me to take this request?”

  “What?” Ilwa tilted his head in confusion. Hajime grinned wolfishly and repeated the words Ilwa had told him a few days ago.

  “I was prepared for a confrontation from the start.”

  “I see. I did say something to that effect.” Whether Hajime had Ilwa’s help or not was irrelevant. Having it would make things a little easier in the future, but he wouldn’t be stopped regardless. His pupils glimmered, his smile promising ruin to anything or anyone that dared stand in his way.

  Ilwa couldn’t help but smile when he saw Hajime’s determination, and the resolve his companions had to follow him down that path. His spirits soared. He suddenly remembered the time he was a young boy, when he had given it his all to work his way up to branch chief.

  He had a premonition. These four who dared to stand up against the Holy Church would be the ones to change the world.

  It wasn’t that he hated the current status quo. He was on the side of the haves, not the have-nots, after all. He was a human living an honest life in this world. If anything, he should have wished for the world to stay as it was.

  But the reason he couldn’t help but feel excitement, and possibly a little fear, at the prospect was because he, Ilwa Chang, was part of the adventurer’s guild.

  “I pray your travels turn into the most wonderful adventure and bring the most trouble this world has ever seen.”

  “I’m not sure if I’m supposed to say thanks to that or not.” Even Hajime wasn’t sure how to interpret Ilwa’s heartfelt words. But well, it’s very much like him, he thought with a wry smile. Yue, Shea, and Tio all turned to each other with bemused looks on their faces.

  Seeing their expressions, Ilwa laughed. He hadn’t laughed like this in years. For so long he’d just been busy with the work of managing the guild, but things were finally going to change.

  After they parted ways with Ilwa, Hajime and the others went to the guild-managed inn in the center of the city. It was a massive, twenty-story building, and their room was situated at the top floor. They had an unobstructed view of the tourist quarter. The room they’d been given was magnificent as well. There was a wide living room, as well as four separate bedrooms, each furnished with a massive canopy bed. Both the sofas and the rug were soft and fluffy, and they could tell at a glance every piece of furniture was high-class.

  Hajime and Yue sank into the couch, while Shea and Tio excitedly explored their new living quarters. A few minutes after their arrival, Will came to visit along with his parents, Count Greil Cudeta and Countess Saria Cudeta. Unlike the nobles Hajime had seen at the palace, Greil and Saria were very agreeable people. He could see how Will had turned out into such a nice person. Greil insisted on thanking Hajime and offered him gold and invitations to his manor, but Hajime wasn’t interested.

  “Kind sir, I’m truly glad I was able to return your son to you alive. But as for a reward, the guild has already paid me. They requested this mission, and I completed it, so the matter of payment’s been settled.” He was being surprisingly polite to Will’s parents. It was so out of character for him that Shea started yelling for a medic, while Tio hid under her bed screaming, “I do not like this! Master’s gone mad!” Needless to say, the Cudeta couple found their behavior rather odd.

  “Excuse me a moment,” Hajime said to the bewildered Cudetas. He picked up Shea and Tio, then flung them out the window, saying “Go play outside for a bit,” in a forcibly cheery voice. In case anyone had forgotten, they were on the top floor of a twenty-story building.

  The Cudetas paled as they heard Shea and Tio scream all the way down. However, Hajime just slammed the window shut, turned to the couple with a smile, and said “Cheery kids, aren’t they?” They nodded vigorously.

  Hajime had seen no reason to antagonize people as nice as them, so he’d acted more politely than usual. However, his conduct must have been too much of a shock for Shea and Tio, and they’d broke.

  Exasperated, Yue muttered “I’ll go get them,” and leaped out of the window as well. The Cudetas turned to look at their son, their heads creaking like a badly oiled machine.

  Will was rubbing the goosebumps on his arm, glaring angrily at Hajime all the while. He’d guessed what Hajime was trying to do, and what he was hoping to get out of it.

  “Well, I guess I shouldn’t refuse your feelings, Count.”

  “Huh? O-Oh, yes...” Still shocked at the recent chain of events, Greil peeled his eyes away from his son and turned to Hajime. Grinning, Hajime requested the same things he’d requested from Ilwa.

  “So basically, if it ever happens that we need to turn to you for aid, I hope you’ll be willing to give it.”

  “I-Is that really all? I heard you risked life and limb to rescue my son from a dragon’s breath. Surely, there must be more you want. By the way, didn’t one of your comrades just leap from the window—”

  “Well... I’d say I’m asking for a lot, actually. It’s possible you might be put in a very dangerous position for helping us. If anything, I may be asking for too much.”

  “Hahaha, I suppose that’s true. In that case, I won’t promise unconditional support, but I will do everything I can if you ever come to me for help. Anyway, if I may be blunt, didn’t you just throw two of your companions out of the window—”

  “Thank you very much, Count. Your help is much appreciated.” Hajime continued to ignore Greil’s question. He did it so casually that the Cudetas started doubting whether they’d really seen him throw his friends out the window. Finally, they finished processing everything and realized the truth of the situation, thinking Wait a second, didn’t we just see a murder occur right before our eyes? His companions must be a splatter on the ground now, right!? However, before they could do anything more than shudder—

  “Uuu, that was mean, Hajime-san. Just because it won’t kill me doesn’t mean it wasn’t scary.”

  “U-Unbelievable. To be thrown so unceremoniously out of a window... This was the first time I have ever experienced such a thing. I must say, it was rather exciting.”

  “Shut up, pervert.” A white hand latched onto the window, and Tio and Shea’s heads popped up below the window sill. Their bangs covered their expressions. Yue was floating behind them, but with how terrifying Shea and Tio looked, no one had eyes for her.

  Saria let out a high-pitched scream and fell unconscious to the floor.

  “Mom!” Will cried out, clearly worried for his mother’s safety. Hajime suddenly remembered Will had a big enough Oedipus complex that he carried a locket with a picture of his mother in it everywhere. Will had been even faster to react than his father.

  “By the way, Hajime-san. Why did you start talking all creepy like that... It gave me goosebumps.”

  “Indeed. Even I was repulsed. Master, if something is worrying you, I would—”

  Hajime glared angrily at them. He’d had a very good reason for acting nice, and they had both ruined it with their inability to take a hint. And of all people, Tio had no right to call him repulsive.

  Greil opened his mouth to express his amazement at their survival.

  “Y-You two, you were all—”

  Bang! Bang! Two gunshots resounded through the room.


  “Bwah!” “Thank you very much!” With those two words, Shea and Tio fell from the window once more.

  “I apologize for my comrades’ rudeness.”

  “Oh, not at all. At any rate, my wife seems to be a little tired, so we shall take our leave.” Sweating profusely, Greil picked up his wife and made to leave. Will looked up at his father and smiled awkwardly, as if he’d expected this outcome, then addressed Hajime.

  “Really, thank you for saving me. I hope we meet again.” With those parting words he turned on his heel and left.

  Hajime watched Greil scuttle to the door like a rabbit afraid of being pounced on by the lion standing right behind it. As Greil opened the door, Hajime said one last thing.

  “Thank you for coming all the way to see me. As for my reward... Well, I hope you won’t disappoint.”

  “I-I won’t, I swear it!” Greil squeaked that out through chattering teeth. The dignity of a noble was nowhere to be seen. Will just let out a sad sigh, bowed his head, and closed the door behind him.

  Hajime lapsed into thought. He had tried his best to appear pleasant, humble, and leave a good impression on the count. He’d wanted to convince him amicably to pledge his support to Hajime’s cause, and yet it had somehow ended up looking like he’d threatened him into doing it. The poor man had left looking like the victim of some unspeakable crime.

  “I don’t get it. Why’d it end up like this...”

  “Have you heard the saying, you reap what you sow?” Yue’s words were surprisingly harsh.

  After the Cudeta family had left, Hajime had collapsed back into the sofa and sighed heavily. His head was resting in Yue’s lap like usual, Shea was sitting by his feet, and Tio was still exploring their room. She examined each piece of furniture thoroughly, occasionally letting out a gasp of admiration, other times tilting her head in confusion. Hajime guessed she was examining how different it was from things in her home.