Isekai Nonbiri Nouka - Chapter 1028: Rana-san Returns

Construction of Rana-san’s house had begun in the village, but before it could be completed, she ended up leaving.

It seems the hot springs helped her recover quite a bit, but she still can’t fly in her dragon form yet.

Even so, she judged that she had stayed long enough.

The children are disappointed.

They had really grown attached to her.

The civil servant girls as well.

They looked like they wanted to hear more of her stories.

And since Ursa would also be leaving along with Rana-san, Hakuren and Zabuton are feeling down too.

Don’t try to stop Ursa.

I understand it’s lonely, though.

Ursa and Rana-san were supposed to use the teleportation gate to go to Village Five, then board an airship from there….. but instead, they traveled using Rana-san’s teleportation magic.

Apparently, Youko from Village Five requested that Rana-san not come there.

That’s fine, but….. if she can use teleportation magic, part of me thinks she could just commute from here without worrying about staying too long.

I know Dors and the others are against her using teleportation magic, though.

「Thank you for taking care of me.」

With that simple farewell from Rana-san, Ursa and the others departed.

-0-

Ice did not accompany Ursa on her journey and instead simply saw her off.

Is it really fine for him not to go?

He said that protecting the place she returns to is also part of his job.

I see.

Then I’m counting on you from here on as well.

As for Dors and Girar, I thought they would be relieved now that Rana-san is gone, but they both have solemn expressions.

Did they regret not treating her more kindly?

That’s what I thought, but according to Raimeiren, that’s not it.

Rana-san is the kind who returns the moment you let your guard down.

They’re just staying cautious.

I think they’re being overly cautious, though.

-0-

That very night, after I had muttered that…..

Rana-san quietly returned using teleportation magic.

Apparently, she had forgotten something.

「Keep it a secret from Dors-boy and the others that I used teleportation magic」

Of course.

But….. was it you who suddenly put Ria and the others to sleep?

The High Elves like Ria who were in my room, along with some kuros, are all breathing softly in their sleep.

They don’t wake up even when I shake them.

「Hmm, that’s right. Ah, the effect is limited to this room. I bear no hostility, so put away that dangerous spear」

……..

I put away the spear form of AFT I was holding.

「My apologies」

That feels a bit excessive just to cover up using teleportation magic, though.

And also…..

「And also?」

…..Who are you?

You’re Rana-san, but….. not Rana-san?

You’re wearing the nameplate I gave you, but your presence feels completely different.

「You noticed that, and still put away your spear? Bold of you.」

I could tell you didn’t have any hostility.

Also, the spiderlings up in the ceiling beams aren’t moving.

They’re in observation mode.

「That’s good to hear. They’re a pain in the ass.」

So, what’s with this form?

「My memories are still a bit muddled, but….. think of me as another persona of Rananon」

Like a split personality?

「Nothing that dramatic….. ah, saying another persona was a poor choice. It’s more like the difference between being dressed up and not」

Like the difference between work and private mode?

「That’s a fine way to understand it. Of course, I’m the work side」

Yeah, that much is obvious from your presence.

「I only come out when we’re about to lose a battle, when my name is mispronounced three times in a row…..or when I feel like it. It’s rare for me to appear, but it seems the hot springs worked better than expected」

So, why did you come?

「I told you. I forgot something. I neglected to give this to you」

What Rana-san tossed toward me was…..

A palm-sized, decorated rod?

「The key to Gigrant’s treasury. Dors-boy knows where it is」

Why are you giving me this?

「Because this village has those multipurpose humanoid heavy machines—Arti-Horses」

?

「Gigrant had a hobby of tinkering with those machines. He collected as many as he could. There should be piles of Arti-Horses and related equipment in his treasury」

Is that really okay?

They’re mementos, aren’t they?

「Tools are happier when they’re used rather than left to gather dust」

That might be true, but…..

「Gigrant himself wanted to use them too, but when he became Dragon King, he couldn’t casually do so. So he reluctantly stored them away」

Ah…..

「Use them. I’ve cast preservation magic, so they should still function」

…..Alright.

I’ll take good care of them.

「Don’t fuss over tools too much. Moderation is enough」

After saying that, Rana-san looked out the window at the moon.

Her eyes seemed lonely.

Raimeiren told me that Rana-san fell into her long sleep after losing her husband.

Does this make you remember him?

「Ah, no. I fell asleep because I hurt my back. That’s when I suddenly felt my age」

…..

「Thanks to Ursa, my back is completely healed, but one mustn’t be careless. You should take care of your back too. Even when you’re young, it can go out on you」

Y-yeah….. that’s true.

I’ll be careful.

「Hmm. By the way, I have two more things I forgot. One is a barrel of miso…..」

Ah, that.

I noticed it was left behind, so I was preparing to have it sent from Village Five tomorrow.

It’s by the entrance.

I’ll have someone bring it.

「Sorry for the trouble」

Not at all.

「The other is a request. I am Rananon, but there are times when it’s inconvenient for this version of me to use that name. So I have another name」

Saying that, Rana-san held the nameplate hanging from her neck.

「I want you to engrave that name on the back」

Ah, that’s easy enough.

So, what’s the name?

「If you wish to know my name, then challenge me」

…..

「It’s just instinct, just for show. Put the spear away」

-0-

After finishing her business, Rana-san left again using teleportation magic.

Hmm….. teleportation magic really is convenient.

If Ursa ever gets into trouble, I’d like Rana-san to just use that magic and bring her back instantly.

Also, the reason Dors and the others are so wary….. maybe it’s not her personality, but her carelessness?

The reason she appeared in my room was apparently because a scale fragment of hers, which Ursa had left behind, was in here.

Still, suddenly casting a sleep spell in a panic just because she appeared somewhere unexpected….. that’s a bit much.

Anyway…..

I wonder when Ria and the kuros will wake up?

Ah, they’re awake.

Good.

And spiderlings up on the ceiling beams, thanks for keeping watch.

-0-

Alfred, who had been staying in the village during Ursa’s visit, also departs.

His departure was delayed to match the timing of ancestor-san coming to pick him up.

This time, a new bodyguard accompanies him: Fuuma, a puppet controlled from within by spiderlings.

Zabuton seems quite worried about Fuuma, but the spiderlings inside are full of confidence.

They’ve trained thoroughly, and the Mountain Elves have added all sorts of new features.

Also, they didn’t forget to bring Fuuma’s dedicated bike.

This bike has been heavily modified and should support Fuuma’s activities well.

To be specific, about five of spiderlings are inside the bike as well.

It turned out that having them directly control the bike was faster and easier than having Fuuma operate it.

They handle the bike, but they’re also expected to rotate in as operators for Fuuma.

After all, they need breaks.

That’s why there’s even a rest area for spiderlings inside the bike.

A thoughtful touch from the Mountain Elves.

The children also said they would take good care of the bike.

But to me, you all matter more than the bike.

Don’t get hurt.

……

Since Alfred stayed in the village longer than usual this time, Loo isn’t letting him go.

It might be because he’s back in his original form…..

Or maybe she just wasn’t mentally prepared.

Flora is trying to calm Loo down and pull her away.

That’s actually my role.

Sorry, I was too focused on spiderlings.

I’ll take over.

-0-

AN: Rana-san’s alternate name is Ranawi.