Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream
The five Pathfinders advanced through the dark ruins, surrounded by lively conversation that seemed completely out of place.
“Hahahaha! canvas Did you see the looks on their faces?”
On the way to the Nexus Port, after passing through the underground chamber.
“They looked like they’d just swallowed a pile of shit!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
[Literally, hahahaha. ability They told us to turn off the broadcast! advance Hahahaha. adjust Would you have turned it off? action Hahahaha.]
Although, since Dullahan communicated through text messages instead of speaking, Jack O’Lantern ended up being the loudest.
The ones doing most of the talking were Jack O’Lantern and Dullahan.
However, he was not the only one participating in the conversation.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The little girl looked at them reproachfully.
Akina also joined in from time to time.
“Hmph! august You didn’t believe me at first!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Faced with Akina’s accusations, Jack O’Lantern hurriedly tried to cover her mouth.
“What was it you said? adapt That he was at a disadvantage? afford Who was at a disadvantage?! accent I told you my Mister was super strong! adapt But you didn’t believe me even a little, and now you come along saying……!”
However, upon seeing Ash standing right beside her, he did not even dare extend his hand.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Seeing how the two men immediately shrank back, Akina smiled triumphantly.
Anyone who saw her would have thought she had been the one who participated in the duel and emerged victorious.
[Sorry.]
“Ah, hahaha…… Well, the thing is……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
But that lasted only a few moments.
As though nothing had happened, they gathered together again and began whispering about the duel from earlier.
At Ifrit’s sudden reprimand, the three closed their mouths.
“Argh, what a racket! acquire Have you completely forgotten to watch our surroundings? meadow The exploration isn’t over yet! academy Concentrate!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The impact sent her flying through the air, and she ended up losing consciousness.
Siren had begun running out of strength and, eventually, failed to completely block one of Ash’s attacks.
Naturally, the confrontation had ended with Ash’s victory.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
However, judging by the smile she retained even after suffering such a crushing defeat, that duel must have been extraordinarily memorable for her.
All of that had happened barely thirty minutes earlier.
Thus ended the brief confrontation, and Team Elementary Girls resumed their exploration. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Leave them be, heroine. arena It will be enough for me to pay a little more attention to our surroundings.”
She let out a sigh.
Ash addressed Ifrit, who was about to reprimand them again.
After all, if Ash, who was capable of detecting threats even before Dullahan, who specialized in reconnaissance, said something like that, she did not have much to object to.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Then Ifrit suddenly addressed Ash.
They continued walking for a few moments.
“Hey, Ash.”
“I am listening.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ash turned his head toward her.
“Can I ask you something?”
When his turquoise optical sensors settled on her face, Ifrit involuntarily flinched.
She, too, had not completely recovered from the impression the duel had left on her.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ifrit took a deep breath for a few moments.
And, for some reason, feeling the gaze of such a monster upon her was extraordinarily intimidating.
That monster had effortlessly crushed the number-one Idol in the Halloween rankings.
“Ask.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Why the hell did you propose that wager-based duel?”
Then, making an effort to ignore that strange pressure, she asked her question.
It was a fairly simple question.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“I owe you an apology.”
However, surprisingly, Ash lowered his head upon hearing it.
“What? ability Why are you suddenly saying that?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“No. airport I didn’t ask because I wanted an apology. attic I’m genuinely curious. legend From what I know of you, though it’s not like I know you all that well, you don’t seem like someone who would do something like that. action Isn’t Akina supposed to be the one who gets money out of people?”
“We lost quite a bit of time because of me, did we not?”
Ash let out a deep laugh.
Ifrit looked at him in bewilderment before shaking her head.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“……The reason, you ask?”
“You are undoubtedly correct. action You possess extraordinary perception, heroine.”
“Thanks for the compliment. absorb But seriously, what was the real reason?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ifrit made such a strange expression that even the LED heart in her eye seemed to become distorted.
After a brief pause, Ash continued.
“Well, now that I think about it, I believe I was a little angry.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Well, you know. academy Aren’t you saying you got angry because that bitch Siren started provoking me?”
“……And why have you suddenly become the subject of this conversation?”
“Don’t tell me…… Was it because of me?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“What? arena What is it?”
“Heroine.”
Ash stared at her.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“You could just say no! album You always find an elegant way to make fun of me. auction Anyway, has your anger passed?”
Ifrit’s face turned red.
“You think too highly of yourself.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Well, of course. beacon Three million credits practically fell out of the sky for you. armor With that much money, anyone would stop being angry.”
Or at least that was what she thought.
“Completely.”
To Ifrit, that conversation was over.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“About that arm.” Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
“……Huh?”
His next words made her stop.
But Ash was not finished.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“If you ever manage to recover it, what do you intend to do with it? august Do you intend to install it on your own body?”
However, Ifrit could not answer immediately.
He asked with absolute calmness, as though he merely wanted to know whether she had eaten yet.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“……I don’t know. galaxy I’ve never thought about it. apron There’s no guarantee that bitch will return it, either. action I’m always insulting her and demanding that she hand it over immediately, but honestly, I wouldn’t return it either if I were in her place. antique Do you know how much that thing costs?”
He simply added in a low voice.
“I see.”
Ash asked no further questions.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
And with that, the conversation ended.
“Then it would be wise for you to start thinking about it.”
Ash turned his head away, as though he had nothing more to say.
“……What?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Then she clapped her hands and took out her Data Pad.
“Concentrate!”
Ifrit pondered those enigmatic words for a few moments before shaking her head a couple of times.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“We’re almost there. airport We’re literally just a few steps away, so concentrate.”
At her instructions, the three who had been chatting immediately separated.
A holographic map appeared above its surface, showing the coordinates where an unknown Idol had died.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Dullahan took the lead.
And Jack O’Lantern took up the rear.
Akina positioned herself in the center.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
***
It was the reconnaissance formation they had agreed upon from the beginning.
In that manner, the five Pathfinders continued advancing toward the depths of the ruins.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The numerous threats lurking in the depths of the ruins tormented the Pathfinders in different ways.
Their journey was far from peaceful.
Many things happened in a relatively short period.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Since they were at an awkward distance to reach with his sword, Ash used his ranged weapon for the first time.
While they were passing through a narrow corridor, the ceiling panels suddenly opened, and dozens of turrets appeared simultaneously.
Bloody Heart Mk.7.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
It was said that all the paths and principles of the universe ultimately converged into one.
He was so incredibly bad at shooting that, even in the middle of that emergency, Ifrit could not contain her laughter.
His marksmanship proved surprisingly disastrous.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
It was a group of Idols who had arrived from another direction.
After passing through an alleyway filled with traps, they encountered other Pathfinders.
However, apparently, that convergence of all arts did not include the use of firearms.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Hello, motherfuckers! autumn We are the Sha!”
“S!”
“I!”
“Ning!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Apparently, they had seen some clips of the duel between Ash and Siren.
The male Idol group Shining Stars, dressed in extraordinarily flashy outfits, immediately abandoned their arrogant attitude and lowered their heads.
“Ash? arena The one who had a duel against Siren?”
“Uh, wait a moment. artist Isn’t that humanoid over there Ash?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Then the one who had shouted the first syllable of their name took a hesitant step forward.
The group members began exchanging nervous glances as they awkwardly backed away.
“Excuse me, I’m a huge fan of yours…… Could you give me an autograph?”
“A fan? aluminum Did you not just call us motherfuckers?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Then he shrugged and began moving his fingers rapidly.
The man respectfully bowed his head and hurriedly took out a Data Pad, which he extended toward Ash.
Ash alternated his gaze between the device and the man.
“That was because I didn’t recognize you! adopt I’m terribly sorry!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Elegant, vigorous strokes appeared on the holographic surface of the Data Pad, written in calligraphy so fluid that it was difficult to believe they had come from a mechanical hand.
“Done.” Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.
[(Ash Blade) 哀是 不來異刀]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The man stared at the result with an expression of absolute bewilderment.
They were strange characters he could not recognize.
“Thank you very mu…… Huh?”
“Excuse me, what does this mean……?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
However, incidents both large and small continued occurring throughout the rest of their expedition.
The members of Shining Stars remained motionless for quite some time, staring at the Data Pad containing that strange signature.
“It is my name.”
Ash answered indifferently and turned around.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
And, from time to time, they also ran into other Idols.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
They destroyed Sentinels.
They encountered traps.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“……Have we arrived?”
How much time had passed?
Finally, they arrived at the place they had seen in the PDA video.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The floor was covered in thick layers of dust, while enormous stone columns rose all the way to the ceiling.
The entire space was imbued with a strange sense of sanctity that not even the passage of countless years had managed to conceal.
That place resembled the altar of a gigantic temple.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
There, floating in the air, was the diamond-shaped golden crystal they had been searching for.
Ifrit’s eyes lit up.
“Nexus Port……!”
And in the center of that altar……
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
After confirming that it really was the Nexus Port, she hurriedly began examining their surroundings.
However, to Ifrit, the size of the place was completely unimportant.
Although it was filled with complex structures, that chamber was considerably larger than the one where they had confronted Witchcraft.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
There was no one else there besides them.
“Perfect!”
Only one thing truly mattered.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
At her joyful exclamation, Jack O’Lantern and Dullahan raised their arms toward the sky.
“Jack! galaxy Start the broadcast! anchor Let’s show everyone the moment of our discovery!”
“Ha, hahahaha! acquire I couldn’t believe it, but we really did it!”
[Wow, hahahaha. acid I can’t believe it worked! agent Hahahaha.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ifrit blew a kiss toward the broadcasting drone as she chatted animatedly with her viewers.
“Hello, my dear Ifritis! autumn Did you wait long? admire Oh, don’t be like that! galaxy We’ve prepared an enormous gift to make it up to you!”
From that instant onward, the three began moving frantically.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Meanwhile, Jack O’Lantern began gathering metal plates and other materials scattered throughout the ruins, carrying them to the center of the chamber. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
That was why they were constructing an improvised barricade in preparation.
Akina was about to perform a Deep Dive.
And that meant the Sentinels would almost certainly launch a counterattack.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Tssss!
An intense light emerged from Dullahan’s fingers, accompanied by sparks from a welding torch.
Amid all that activity, Ash’s gaze remained fixed on a single place.
As his hands moved, the molten metal filled the gaps between the plates.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
From the moment they had entered that chamber, the girl had not taken her eyes off the Nexus Port.
She was biting her nails, as though she were uneasy or nervous.
Akina.
The Technomancer who would soon perform the Deep Dive.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Akina flinched and turned her head.
Ash silently approached and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“……Mister.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The girl shook her head.
Her halting voice and trembling hands completely contradicted her words. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
“Hehehe! artist Of course not! aluminum Have you forgotten who I am? echo I’m a genius Technomancer! adjust S-Something like this is…… a piece of cake!”
“Are you very nervous?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
However, Ash did not point out that contradiction.
“You are absolutely right. galaxy Miss Akina, you are the most extraordinary Technomancer I have ever known. arch I can assure you of that with absolute confidence.”
Instead, he knelt on one knee to bring himself to her eye level.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“……But aren’t I the only Technomancer you know, Mister?”
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Ash let out a deep laugh and gently took the hand the girl had been biting.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The same happened with her blue eyes, which until then had been filled with unease.
“I am also including all those I shall meet in the future.”
The small tremors in her hands gradually began to disappear.
Had those words helped her?
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ash remained silent for a few moments.
“Which words do you wish to hear?”
Then he recalled the events of their first expedition.
“Mister, listen…… Could you say those words from before to me one more time?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“……Do you promise you’ll keep those words?”
He soon understood exactly which words the girl wanted to hear.
And he repeated them without changing a single one.
“Go and come back. orbit I shall be here the entire time.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“I promise I shall keep them without fail.”
Jack and Dullahan had finished their work and were now watching them while nodding their heads.
Meanwhile, the sounds of welding stopped.
At that firm promise, a faint smile finally appeared on Akina’s face.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Ash addressed the girl.
“Miss Akina, are you ready?”
Instead of answering, Akina nodded, just as the others had done.
Ifrit, who had been chatting animatedly with her viewers in front of the drone, also turned toward them and nodded.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
She no longer hesitated.
After all, the entire journey they had undertaken up to that moment had served a single purpose.
Akina took a deep breath and began walking toward the enormous altar.
To bring her to the Nexus Port.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Then she connected her head to the Nexus Port through a cable.
Toward the Nexus Port, which shone with golden light.
When she finally reached it, she gathered her hair and tied it into a single ponytail without hesitation.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
So she gave him a smile filled with determination.
“See you in a little while.”
For a brief instant, her eyes met Ash’s.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The girl’s small body slowly began rising into the air.
Akina closed her eyes and allowed her consciousness to flow into Cyberspace, an ocean of information whose immensity no ordinary human being could even imagine.
“We shall see each other in a little while.”
That was their entire farewell.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
Shortly afterward, a kind of bluish mist began swirling around her.
At the same time the Deep Dive began, the entire altar started vibrating slightly.
RUMBLEEEEE!
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
The entire ruins began to tremble.
No.
The red warning lights that had remained inactive at different points along the walls lit up simultaneously, bathing the entire place in red.
— Warning. album An unauthorized connection to the system by a biological entity has been detected. admire The unauthorized entity must immediately terminate the connection and cease all functions. apple In the event of noncompliance.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 28: EP.1 The Butterfly Dream by Indra Translations.
“Get ready!”
It was a declaration announcing the bloody battle that was about to begin.
An emotionless mechanical voice echoed throughout the chamber.
The four Pathfinders surrounding Akina tightened their grips on their respective weapons.
td-reading-probeWhat did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!