LSP – Chapter 18 – Fog

[Akari PoV]

Akari walks through the forest late at night. To an elf like her, the forest was like her own backyard. Coupled together with an elf’s night vision, it is not different than walking during the day.

She had arrived at her brother’s favorite spot. In a wide open space bathed in the gentle moonlight, there were white lights were flickering. There it was!

Akari quietly entered the area, being careful not to show any hostility. The lights continued to twinkle as she approached. They were butterfly wings made of light, but their bodies were not insect-like(Shari) instead, they had a human form. The sparkling lights spread like glittering scales and then vanished.

“An Elf?” (Fairy)

“Yeah, that’s right.” (Akari)

The fairies here had bodies about 10 centimeters long with butterfly wings. Akari spoke to the fairy.

“Ne~ne~¹, do you know what are Bugbears?” (Akari)

Bugbears are considered a type of goblin, but they don’t live together with goblins. They are believed to gather and inhabit specific locations.

Akari had been at Level 4 for quite some time, and defeating hundreds of goblins wouldn’t increase her level anymore. However, Bugbears were magical creatures equivalent to a Level 3. If she defeated enough of them, there was a chance her level would increase.

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[Finn PoV]

“Both of you, let’s go level up!” (Akari)

Lately, Akari had been in high spirits. It seemed that she was genuinely delighted that Shari’s level hadn’t increased. For now, it was good that her mood had improved.

“Come to think of it, the Elder Elf was higher than Level 4, so even without relying on Onii-chan, I can probably still level up.” (Akari)

The Elder Elf, in terms of Japanese comparison, would have been alive since the Kamakura period² or even earlier.

“By the way, haven’t goblins been scarce lately?” (Finn)

Goblins are not enough.

Akari smiles when she heard that.

“We’re going to hunt Bugbears!” (Akari)

Her smile was irresistible, leaving no room for objections. Beauty certainly has its advantages.

◇

The three siblings ventured into the forest together. This time, they were carrying brand-new backpacks with them. The moment to put them to use had finally arrived.

“This is starting to feel like a real adventure, doesn’t it, Onii-chan?” (Shari)

“Yeah, it really feels like it. Preparation is also important after all.” (Finn)

“It should be around here soon…” (Akari)

Akari muttered to herself.

Before they knew it, the forest had become shrouded in a fog.

“A fog has appeared.” (Akari)

“<Presence Detection>!” (Finn)

There was no reaction. No signs of any forest creatures either.

“Doesn’t this feel a bit cliché?” (Akari)

The fog grew denser, and their visibility shrank to less than a meter in no time.

I tightly gripped my spear in my right hand.

“We might get separated! Hold hands!” (Finn)

I reached out my left hand.

I could feel my sister’s right hand grasping it, so I held onto it firmly.

◇

[Shari PoV]

When the fog cleared, there was a castle in front of us. It was a typical medieval European mountain castle, although Shari had no knowledge of such things.

“Was there always a castle like this around here?” (Finn)

Onii-chan makes a suspicious face when he sees the rugged stone structure. Shari tightly gripped the mace in her right hand and scanned the surroundings.

“Onii-chan, over there!” (Shari)

Shari pointed with her left hand. There was a moat covered in grass, and a drawbridge was lowered.

“Looks like we can enter.” (Finn)

Together with Onii-chan, we crossed the drawbridge and passed through the castle gate.

As we entered the castle, we found ourselves in a hall. It was empty and desolate, yet torches burned on the walls. The castle was not particularly large, and a staircase ran along the walls, ascending upwards. At the back of the hall, we could see a staircase leading to the basement.

“What should we do?” (Finn)

“Onii-chan, you decide.” (Shari)

“In that case, let’s go upstairs.” (Finn)

◇

[Akari PoV]

When the mist cleared, there stood a castle before them. It was a small medieval castle, reminiscent of those found in the countryside of Europe. To the left, there was an overgrown moat with a wooden drawbridge, and beyond it, the castle gate stood open.

“Looks suspicious, but we can enter.” (Akari)

Akari pointed with her free hand, while still holding her brother’s in the other.

“Well, I guess we have no choice but to go.” (Finn)

We entered the hall of the castle.

“What should we do now?” (Finn)

Akari pondered for a moment.

“We should go to the basement.” (Akari)

“Why?” (Finn)

“Because in situations like this, you have to explore everything and trigger all the flags.” (Akari)

◇

[Shari PoV]

On the second floor was the dining area. Sunlight streamed in through the small windows, which seemed out of place compared to the size of the room.

A candlestick was on the table, and the candles burned silently. There was a fireplace on the wall.

Though there was no presence of people, there were signs that someone had been there. Shiny plates were neatly arranged on the tablecloth.

“Onii-chan, are you going to leave?” (Shari)

“Leave? Where to?” (Finn)

“Um, back to Japan?” (Shari)

“Don’t be silly, Shari.” (Finn)

Finn hugged her sister.

“I won’t go anywhere without you.” (Finn)

“It’s fine now, Onii-chan.” (Shari)

“What do you mean?” (Finn)

“Shari has been abandoned by her parents and has always had a weak body. She always used to think that she might die before becoming an adult.” (Shari)

“But you have gotten better now.” (Finn)

“Shari has always felt like this wasn’t where she truly belongs.” (Shari)

Shari avoided eye contact as she said that.

“But Shari is glad she could meet you, Onii-chan. Just being able to have this has been enough to make her happy.” (Shari)

“And I’m happy just being with you, Shari.” (Finn)

“So, Onii-chan, you won’t go anywhere?” (Shari)

“I won’t.” (Finn)

“Shari will always be Onii-chan’s little sister.” (Shari)

“Of course.” (Finn)

“We will leave Akari onee-chan.” (Shari)

“Okay.” (Finn).

“We will always be together, Onii-chan.” (Shari)

“We will always be together, Shari.” (Finn)

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Image of Akari talking with the Fairy

“Ne~ne~, do you know what are Bugbears?”
~ Link to source

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TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

I have no idea what is happening but I think I translated it correctly. Is Shari gonna notice something is off about Finn?

Sorry bout the lack of chapters. From next week onwards, I will release one chapter of either ROS or LSP, it’s random and will mostly depend on chapter length and such. If I got time I might release both.

Fun fact: I had to photoshop the illustration cause the fairy’s body was missing from the original image lol. I have no idea if it was intentional but it looks better with a body.

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Footnotes:

1. Ne~ne~ is basically “hey~ hey~”
2. Kamakura period is around 1185–1333.