[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Respectively

Translator : PolterGlast

After taking a short break, we all decided to have a discussion about what to do next. So, I headed to the lounge on the first floor of the inn, which was lined with tables, together with Miku.

 

"Miku, are you tired?"

 

"Yeah, I've been training and strengthening my body, so a move like that was no problem."

 

Thanks to her current focus on training her agility, Miku's agility stat is over 150. Looking back, it's true that aside from me, she seemed to be having the easiest time. The power of the training room is truly great, that much is clear.

 

When I got to the lounge, I could already see a few of my classmates.

 

"I feel like life in the Kingdom wasn't so bad, though."

 

"Don't be stupid. You saw how harsh they were with Mitsukawa-kun, right? That's the true nature of the Grust royal family."

 

"Yeah, I think so too."

 

"Whoa, Kazuno-kun?! Don't scare me like that!"

 

When I joined the conversation, they were incredibly startled. I really didn't mean to scare anyone.

 

Once everyone had gathered, we got right down to business. I had an appointment with Her Majesty Emilia, and Miku had to go see Her Highness Princess Alicia, so we needed to get this done quickly.

 

By the way, if the demons were to come to the Grust Kingdom, we would have to make various moves, but it seems we still have about a week to spare. So, until then, I plan to focus on looking after everyone. Once things get busy, I probably won't have the luxury of paying them much attention.

 

"Alright, so. Since everyone is here, I think we'll start talking about what's next. We'll take questions all at once later, so for now, please listen to what Miku and I have to say. Okay, go ahead."

 

As I gestured, Miku, who was next to me, straightened her posture.

 

"Um, okay, I'll talk about everyone's treatment and situation. First of all, unlike in the Kingdom, the Empire will not force you to fight. You will be provided with living expenses for the time being, specifically, an amount that would allow you to live for a year without doing anything."

 

"However, Her Majesty the Empress is a strict person in a way, so she won't support you indefinitely. That's why we want all of you to learn a trade, by any means necessary, and make a living for yourselves."

 

"Huh, we have to work?"

 

"In the Kingdom, all we had to do was attend the regular training sessions..."

 

Well, the Kingdom probably did a lot to keep them happy because they needed them to fight desperately in a pinch.

 

But it's not like that in the Empire. After all, Her Majesty Emilia doesn't really count the heroes from another world as a proper fighting force to begin with. Well, I'm an exception, since I showed my power and negotiated.

 

Her Majesty Emilia is fundamentally a benevolent ruler, but being kind doesn't mean tolerating everything. Just as it's not kindness for a parent to simply spoil their child, it's not kindness for a boss to forgive all of a subordinate's mistakes. People call that indulgence.

 

She is kind, but she also says harsh things. I don't dislike that way of thinking.

 

Of course, being brought to another world is unfortunate for most people. But that doesn't mean you can just lament your misfortune, do nothing, and live off others; that's no different from being livestock.

 

You can tell from the support they're giving that they're not telling us to get on our feet right this second. It means that after a certain amount of time, we should stand on our own two feet in this world and do our best. Miku is wonderfully sugarcoating those words and expressing them in her beautiful voice. If I were to say it, it would inevitably come out blunt and harsh. It's wonderful to be able to be so considerate at times like this; I don't think I could ever imitate that.

 

Still, a few people looked dissatisfied, perhaps thinking they could live a more comfortable life. I admit I wanted to explain things in a bit more detail, but we didn't have much time. Besides, they should have been able to imagine that coming to the Empire wouldn't be a rosy life of harems without any money troubles. From my perspective, I think the Empire, which tells us we can live here without having to fight, is far better than the Kingdom, which uses us as pawns in battle.

 

But surprisingly, there were people who supported me.

 

"Hmm, well, isn't it fine? It's better to work hard and live than to just shut yourself away, do some half-hearted exercises, and die, right?"

 

"If you don't like it, why don't you just go back to the Kingdom now? If your situation ever gets worse, you can just tell Hijirikawa, and you'll be able to live a life without any inconveniences, just like before, right?"

 

Thanks to Onda and Kudo, the leaders of the boys and girls respectively, saying that, the resentment towards us seemed to disappear.

 

"I understand that for all of you who were still high school students, it's hard to imagine what it's like to work. That's why we can also arrange for part-time-like jobs where you don't have to work full hours."

 

"That's right. I think it's a good idea to start by working with the mindset of it being a field trip to see society. The world inside the royal castle and the world outside are completely different."

 

No one could deny what Miku said, as she had traveled to various places as a Saint and had gone through many hardships. She probably never worked purely to earn money, but it seems she's been through a lot.

 

Just as we reached the conclusion that we should try working, it was time for dinner. By the way, the inn's expenses, including three meals a day for a year, are also covered by the Empire's budget. When everyone heard that, their spirits lifted at once. Food you get to eat without working for it is especially delicious, so it's no wonder.

 

"Hm? Aren't you and the others eating with us, Kazuno-kun?"

 

"We have to go back to the Imperial Castle and talk to Her Majesty. Don't worry about us, just do as you please."

 

"Kazuno-kun, you're really something... Everyone, Kazuno-kun is working this hard for us, we can't just stay like this! To build up our energy for tomorrow... let's drink! Cheers!"

 

And with that, ignoring our classmates who started a lively drinking party, we left the inn.

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[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Gratitude

Translator : PolterGlast

While feeling a bit uneasy about Izel II's foolishness, we left the audience chamber and decided to have another meeting in the guest room that had been provided for us.

 

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. I know you're tired, but please bear with me a little longer."

 

Everyone looked at me and nodded. Their expressions no longer held the contempt or suspicion they had when we left the kingdom. They must have been impressed by the magic Miku and I used on the way, and by the respectful attitude of the imperial soldiers towards us.

 

"Thanks to Empress Emilia's kindness, lodging has already been prepared for everyone. I think there will be things you want to talk about as a class at first, so why don't we do it there? It's probably hard for everyone to relax inside the imperial castle."

 

"Kazuno, you... why are you so relaxed when you've come all the way to the royal castle?"

 

"Well, I've been here many times. I've been working hard to get you all out of the kingdom."

 

"O, oh, is that so..."

 

It seems that Onda, the mood maker, has been appointed to lead the group and ask me questions. Well, he's the kind of character who can be forgiven for being a bit rude, so he might be suitable. Perhaps he had a similar role in the kingdom? I don't know.

 

We left the imperial castle and went to the lodging prepared by Her Majesty. It was a decent lodging, with a grade of upper-middle.

 

"We have individual rooms. Since there are rooms for everyone, please decide on your rooms first."

 

"As expected, Her Majesty the Empress is generous!"

 

Leaving behind words that barely avoided being disrespectful, the male group led by Onda rushed to get their rooms.

 

The only ones left were the girls. Among them, a girl who seemed to be the leader came up to me.

 

I wondered for a moment if we had such a girl, but I soon realized why. She used to dye her hair gold at school, but it seems different because the color has faded in this other world.

 

She used to wear gyaru-style makeup, but now she has a clean-cut look. But don't be fooled, she's a gyaru (old-fashioned term) that I'm not good with. A popular person has appeared, it's super effective against an unpopular person!

 

What was her name again...?

 

"Maria, Kudo Maria."

 

"Oh, Kudo-san. Of course, I remembered."

 

"Liar, your eyes are darting all over the place."

 

That's right, Kudo Maria-san. She's cute and assertive. She would have been at the top of the class caste, but we had Kazuma's harem.

 

For better or worse, she's just a normal girl (gyaru).

 

"...Kazuno, you seem pretty relaxed."

 

"Well, I've been through a lot. What's up? If you don't hurry, the guys will take all the good rooms."

 

"It's okay, I can just say something later and make them move."

 

"Scary!?"

 

Maria-san laughed when she saw me pretending to be surprised. It feels like my perspective is distorted when a clean-cut girl with long black hair laughs so heartily.

 

"I wanted to tell you something, Kazuno."

 

"What?"

 

"...Thank you. I don't know what will happen in the future, but if you and Arisugawa brought us here with such enthusiasm, it must be better than the kingdom, right?"

 

"Of course."

 

The kingdom is not worth trusting. I'm supposed to be dead, and Miku is supposed to be assassinated. It's obvious that we would have been used up for some reason if we had stayed in the kingdom, just by looking at Mitsukawa-kun.

 

"There were quite a few girls who had a breakdown because they didn't know what was going to happen."

 

"Oh, is that so?"

 

"Yeah, Kotegawa and Hijirikawa aren't the type to take care of that. I had to do a lot, it was pretty tough."

 

"I see."

 

Kudo-san showed her sisterly side and took care of the girls in this other world. Maybe that's why she looked a little tired.

 

"I don't know what will happen in the empire. But at least, we'll be better off than in the kingdom. So... thank you."

 

"Yeah, I feel like my efforts were worth it when I'm thanked."

 

I see, Kudo-san seems to be more caring than I thought. Her thoughtfulness touches me. Really.

 

I think everyone is worried about what life will be like in the empire. But it's definitely better than staying in the kingdom. I'll help them until they get their own jobs.

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[WN] Shut-In : Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Off to the Empire

Translator : PolterGlast

"Where is this...?"

 

"Is this... outside the royal palace?"

 

"Then, again... Jaunt."

 

I activated Jaunt two or three times in succession.

I took up a position on a high ground where people rarely come, then left the city and went outside the city walls at the edge of my vision.

 

I activated Jaunt again before the guards noticed us.

I left from the east gate of the city and headed towards the empire using the same route as before.

 

First, I used Jaunt on the main road to gain some distance.

If I kept spamming it, my MP would run out, so I used it three times in a row to gain distance, and then I had everyone move on their own.

 

"Wow, was that space magic just now?"

 

"Yeah, it was."

 

"Wow, Kazuno, I thought I was doing pretty well, but seeing this makes me feel a bit down."

 

"But everyone, you have a lot of stamina."

 

"Well, we were trained by the kingdom's knights, after all."

 

I'm checking on everyone from the rear, and all the classmates running at a brisk pace can run at the speed of a long-distance runner in the track and field club.

 

Perhaps it's the result of their training, but their posture doesn't waver at all while running.

Even Tokushima Arisa, who was supposed to be one of the least athletic people in our class, has a better stride than me.

 

"I'm feeling a bit dizzy..."

 

"Tell me if you feel sick. Miku will heal you."

 

"O, okay. ... Huh, Miku...?"

 

Kishikawa Airi, who was Miku's best friend, stared at us.

We didn't intend to hide our relationship, so I kept quiet for the time being.

 

"Miku, are you...?"

 

"Yeah, V!"

 

"Yay, that's great!"

 

Airi-san started cheering when she saw Miku making a V sign.

Her female classmates gathered around her, chatting happily as they moved.

 

Incidentally, their running pace didn't drop at all.

Is this what they call the toughness of women...?

 

"Hey, Kazuno, are you...?"

 

"Well, we can talk about that after we get to the empire. Right now, getting out of the kingdom safely is the priority, right?"

 

"Tell me later, that's a promise!"

 

I casually dealt with the guys while running along the main road.

It's helpful that no one is coming from the opposite direction, as the east road only leads to a pioneer village.

 

After walking for a while, my MP recovered, so I switched back to moving with Jaunt.

After teleporting a few more times, we arrived at the grassland area beyond the main road.

 

It's a good memory now that I fired Gungnir without knowing the limits when I first landed in Aristella... no, it's still a black history.

 

Since I had decided on the route beforehand, we moved smoothly without any hesitation.

I used Jaunt to teleport to the lowlands and then ran to the highlands.

After repeating this about three times, we reached the middle of the grassland.

 

We should be safe now.

It's a good time, so we took a three o'clock snack break and then left the grassland.

The elevation difference becomes even more extreme when we reach the forest, so this time we used Jaunt continuously to move forward.

 

And we arrived at the border with the empire before sunset and successfully entered the country.

 

We entered the empire and then went straight to the imperial capital, Elmoregrad.

We headed straight for the imperial castle, Novark, and since we had talked about it beforehand, we were led to the audience chamber even more smoothly than before.

 

We have a lot to talk about, and Empress Emilia seems to be starved for conversation, so we meet regularly, but this is actually the first time we've come to the audience chamber since that first meeting.

 

Empress Emilia, who was looking down at us from the throne several steps above us, didn't show any of her usual capable office lady vibe, and seemed to exude the aura of a ruler from her entire body.

 

"Welcome, heroes from another world."

 

We bowed our heads together.

Even though we are heroes from another world who are said to have saved the world in the past, we haven't done anything special yet, and we haven't received any titles from the kingdom.

So, naturally, we are treated as ordinary people.

Of course, I know my place, so I take a proper attitude in situations like this.

 

"You must be troubled by being suddenly taken from the Grust Kingdom. But, though it's a bit awkward to praise my own country, the empire is a wonderful country that is not inferior to the kingdom. First of all, please take a good look at the empire. Of course, we don't intend to force you to stay in the empire, so if you're dissatisfied, you can always return to the kingdom."

 

As agreed beforehand, Empress Emilia doesn't force the heroes from another world to do anything.

Even though they have growth cheats, she doesn't intend to force those who are not good at fighting or don't want to die to fight.

 

She said that the heroes from another world are meaningful just by being here, even if they don't fight.

For example, using modern knowledge, they could create various things that didn't exist in the empire, such as tools, food, and ideas.

Empress Emilia is taking care of them, considering these positive aspects.

 

"""Yes!"""

 

I finally breathed a sigh of relief as I watched my classmates bow their heads awkwardly.

Even if their own heroes are taken away, they won't attack the empire, considering the difference in national power.

 

They won't... right?

Even that king isn't that short-sighted, right?

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