Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors
Several days later.
Santa Claude was cleaning a newly acquired piece of Cyberware while bobbing his head to the rhythm of the latest music playing through the speakers.
Santa’s Rest Stop.
Until, at a certain moment.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
BZZZT!
The lights illuminating the rest stop, the television, the signs, and even all the equipment installed in the operating room behind the counter shut down completely.
And that was not all.
The music disappeared with a brief burst of interference.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Argh! altitude That damned brat again!”
Amid that silence, Santa shouted.
For a brief instant, the world seemed to stop.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Then he threw open the door to the storage room Akina was using as temporary accommodation.
“Didn’t I tell you not to touch the electrical panel?! advance The circuit breaker tripped, damn it! timber What the hell did you connect this time?!”
Santa sprang to his feet and practically ran to the second floor.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Looking a little embarrassed, she scratched her head and let out a giggle.
Shortly afterward, a girl appeared from inside the completely dark room.
It was Akina, holding a power cable whose end was completely charred.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Sorry. acquire I was testing something, and it looks like I caused an overload. auction Ah, what a waste. galaxy I almost had it.”
“Ahhh. attic What sin did I commit to have to endure such misfortunes at this stage of my life?”
“Did you commit some sin, Grandpa?”
Santa slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Why?”
Ash, who was standing beside her, took the girl by the shoulder.
“You should not say such things. autumn Especially you, Miss Akina.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Because the misfortune Elder Santa is talking about is precisely you.”
“What do you mean, ‘Ah, I see’?! wizard Get everything back to normal right now……!”
It was then that loud music began to play.
“Ah, I see!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
It was exactly the same song Santa had been listening to moments earlier.
Akina shook her head.
“……Have you already fixed it?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The sound was getting closer and closer.
Accompanied by the powerful roar of several engines.
“Huh? All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com acquire It wasn’t me.”
“Then where is that music coming from?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“It seems we have visitors.”
Even considering that the Gateway District was a particularly noisy neighborhood, that racket stood out from the usual commotion.
At Ash’s words, Santa and Akina poked their heads out the window.
Sure enough, a small group had just entered the rest stop’s parking lot.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Upon recognizing her, Akina shouted.
A slender woman climbed off the motorcycle and removed her helmet.
It consisted of a bright-red motorcycle and two armored exploration vehicles.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Little one! timber How have you been?”
The woman, Ifrit, smiled broadly and raised her hand to greet her.
“Noona!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
[Hellooo. arcade But why are all your lights off?]
Jack O’Lantern and Dullahan also poked their heads out of the armored vehicles they were driving and waved.
“Hyung! alpha Akina! palette We’re here!”
The rest stop, which had fallen silent after the circuit breaker tripped, was once again filled with commotion.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Halloween Idols, huh? legend What a noisy bunch. acid And they’ve literally shown up with a couple of trucks.”
“That is correct.”
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“……They’re your guests, aren’t they?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
After saying that, the girl ran off toward the electrical panel.
“Mister, take care of welcoming them for a moment!”
Akina did exactly the same.
Santa simply walked away, making it clear that since they were their guests, they would have to attend to them themselves.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Shortly afterward.
“Further in! adapt A little more!”
Thus, the responsibility of receiving the visitors fell entirely upon Ash.
Ash waved an arm as he gave directions. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The reason Ash had unexpectedly ended up working as a parking attendant was the vehicle Dullahan had brought.
The armored vehicle Ifrit had offered as a reward for that exploration.
Revenant.
Following his instructions, an enormous armored vehicle slowly advanced toward the rest stop’s backyard.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
However, that was where the problems began.
Since they could not leave it parked in the customer parking lot, they had to store it in the backyard.
And which, from now on, would become Ash and Akina’s means of transportation.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The yard was filled with scrap metal and garbage scattered everywhere.
So Ash had no choice but to intervene.
“Keep going straight!”
For that reason, the available space was far too narrow for an armored vehicle of such size.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Dullahan turned off the engine and shook his head.
Following Ash’s directions, Revenant finally managed to fit into one corner of the yard.
Because of the movement, the message that appeared on his visor looked slightly blurry.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“We shall have to remove at least some of the scrap metal.”
“Good idea. echo Just clearing all that out would make the entrance almost twice as wide.”
Ash nodded in agreement.
[If you want to use this properly, you’ll first have to do something about that entrance.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“I am well.”
“Ash, how have you been?”
Ifrit, who had approached without him noticing, winked at him.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Ash let out a brief chuckle.
“What do you mean?”
“……Is that all?”
“Well, normally when someone asks how you’re doing, you ask them the same thing, don’t you?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Hahaha! riddle That’s what I wanted to hear!”
Ifrit’s eyes sparkled with their characteristic heart-shaped glimmers as she took out her PDA.
“And how have you been, heroine?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The PDA screen displayed the Idol rankings.
“Ta-da! wizard Ifrit, from Elementary Girls, has made it into the Today Best!”
After fiddling with it a couple of times, she showed it to Ash.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Among the names appearing there was Ifrit’s.
“And I’m not the only one! armor Look at this!”
When she scrolled down the screen, the names of Jack O’Lantern and Dullahan also appeared.
She occupied 43rd place.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“Hahaha! antique How did we become so popular all at once?! voyage This is incredible!”
To be honest, Ash considered rankings nothing more than an insignificant way of ordering people.
They occupied 89th and 93rd place, respectively.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
So he replied briefly, with complete sincerity.
However, every individual had their own priorities.
“Come on, all of this was thanks to you, Hyung!”
“Congratulations.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
However, from the way his body was constantly moving, it was obvious that he was extraordinarily happy.
Since he always wore his pumpkin-shaped helmet, it was impossible to see his face.
Jack O’Lantern joined the conversation.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
After all, what could possibly be spectacular about working in transportation and rescue?
That was precisely why ROA had never managed to appear in the rankings.
“It’s the first time I’ve made it into the Today Best since I started working with ROA! academy Wow, I can’t believe we actually did it!”
[It really is surprising, hahaha.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Then……”
But that was now a thing of the past.
They had finally managed to secure a place, even if it was among the lowest ranks!
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Amid that festive atmosphere, Ash spoke again.
“Hmm. attic Considering that you brought Revenant, I suppose you have come to complete our deal?”
“What brings you here today? voyage It does not seem that you came merely to boast about your achievements.”
“Hehe. ability Why do you think that is?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“The main event? absorb Is there something else?”
“Of course! apron What do you think comes after finishing an exploration?!”
Ifrit smiled.
“The deal? Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com. attic Of course we have to settle that. advance But that’s not the main event.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Then she slapped Revenant’s bodywork several times.
“……Settling the profits?”
Ifrit burst into cheerful laughter at Ash’s answer.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
There was synthetic meat of the highest quality, organic vegetables, and even alcoholic beverages that looked extraordinarily expensive at first glance.
The interior was packed with all kinds of food.
Immediately, the rear hatch swung wide open to both sides.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Ifrit spread her arms wide.
“Settling the profits? acoustic No, no! orbit Obviously, it’s time for a party! alert To celebrate recovering the Nexus Port and Elementary Girls making it into the rankings!”
“Yeeeeeeah!”
All of them were luxury food products bearing the Foundation Systems logo.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Apparently, Akina had managed to restore the power supply.
At that very moment, the entire rest stop lit up again.
[Let’s hear you shout!]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The rest stop’s back door flew open, and Akina came running across the yard with hurried steps.
“H-Huh?! admire What’s going on?! academy Don’t start without me!”
“All right! echo Let’s have some fun! antenna Today we’re going to drink until we drop dead! action What are you waiting for?! arrow Get excited!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
***
The party began.
At Ifrit’s words, Dullahan put on some music.
A rhythm of heavy bass began reverberating throughout the yard.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Everyone let themselves be carried away by the loud music, and their excitement reached its peak.
The spirits of everyone present soon began to sink.
However, that did not last long.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Not even because of Ash’s lectures, as he insisted that Akina was still far too young to drink alcohol.
And it was not because Santa had discreetly joined the party after seeing the expensive alcoholic beverages.
The reason was a seemingly insignificant but absolutely decisive problem.
Nor was it because a neighbor had shouted at them to turn down the volume.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Hey, why is this happening? advance Aren’t you supposed to just put it on the grill?”
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
None of those present knew how to cook.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Ifrit muttered as she stared at the premium synthetic meat that had ended up turning into charcoal.
Dullahan took out another piece of synthetic meat and confidently decided to give it a try.
[Hmm. afford I think the method is wrong.]
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
[Meat has two sides, right? armor Then you have to burn both of them.]
Now there were two pieces of charcoal.
Immediately afterward, he activated the welding torch built into his hand and began scorching the synthetic meat.
“Do we really have to cook it? arcade It’s delicious even if we eat it like this.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Ash snatched it away from her and let out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Akina was calmly chewing on a piece of raw meat.
“……What on earth are all of you doing?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Well, cooking.”
“And you call that cooking?”
At Ash’s words, Ifrit tilted her head.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Another sigh escaped Ash’s voice module.
At that instant.
“……Isn’t it? palette I’m sure it was something like that……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
He had not been there for just a day or two, but for several months.
‘……Now that I think about it.’
Since arriving in that world, he had never seen a meal that actually looked like food.
A small revelation flashed through his Main Core like lightning.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
He only had to look at Akina and Santa.
That was how things were.
Both were accustomed to sustaining themselves with convenient nutritional capsules, energy bars, and some kind of paste of unknown composition.
And during all that time, he had not seen a single properly prepared meal? This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
In fact, every one of the organic ingredients Ifrit had brought was extraordinarily expensive.
In that world, the very concept of cooking barely existed.
Rather, they could be considered luxury items reserved for the upper classes.
They were not foods that just anyone could afford.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
In Sanctum, that simple act was practically a symbol of wealth.
Taking fresh ingredients and spending time personally preparing a meal.
Unaware of any of this, Ifrit had apparently purchased the highest-quality ingredients simply because she wanted to make the celebration special.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
A society where cooking was not a common practice.
But the result was plain to see.
To Ash, that was not merely strange.
‘I had never thought about something like this.’
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Sanctum was such a place.
An infinitely distorted world whose development had been oriented exclusively toward survival.
A world where people could replace their entire bodies with steel and become cyborgs, yet were incapable of properly grilling a simple piece of meat.
It was such a profound difference that it even filled him with a kind of horror.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
‘……Then, they do not know it.’
If Ash still had a human body, his skin would surely have crawled.
He remained silent for a few moments, observing those around him.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
The comforting warmth of freshly prepared rice.
A table generously laden with all kinds of appetizing dishes.
The delicious taste of perfectly cooked meat. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.
Those heartwarming moments when one shared a drink with loved ones, enjoyed delicious side dishes, and conversed peacefully.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
It was a faint sensation.
Somewhere within his steel chest, an emotion that was difficult to identify began to emerge.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
However, it was enough to spur Ash into action.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“H-Huh?”
“Step aside.”
Finally, he approached Ifrit, who was standing in front of the grill, and gently moved her aside.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Elder Santa. atomic Do you happen to have an iron plate with a concave surface? arcade Preferably one capable of withstanding high temperatures.”
“I shall take care of it.”
Ash took the tongs from her and addressed Santa.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“……Uh, I might have something lying around if I look for it……”
“Uh…… I’ll see what I can find.”
“I intend to use it for cooking, so it must be clean.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
‘Their appearance is different, but their aromas and colors are quite similar to those I know. airport With these, I should be able to prepare a few simple vegetable dishes without any problems.’
While Santa returned inside the rest stop, Ash examined the available ingredients.
Then he turned his attention toward the synthetic meat that had been primarily responsible for the entire disaster.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
‘Hmm. amber It has too much fat to be beef, and its texture is quite soft. arctic Perhaps it is more similar to pork? portal In that case……’
It was a piece of meat whose muscle texture and fat had been printed at perfectly regular intervals, giving it a slightly artificial appearance.
His turquoise optical sensors flashed.
However, Ash paid it no mind.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
‘Twice-Cooked Pork would be a good choice. voyage And with whatever remains, I can prepare skewers.’
“Miss Akina. agent Do you not carry a knife for self-defense? accent Could you lend it to me for a moment?”
After deciding roughly what he was going to cook, Ash extended his hand toward Akina.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Ash accepted the knife.
At those words, Akina immediately took out her tactical knife and handed it over, as though hypnotized.
His hands began cutting the ingredients in a perfectly even rhythm.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
While everyone watched the scene, completely fascinated……
Under those precise cuts, the vegetables bearing the Foundation Systems logo were divided into portions of identical size.
TAP! autumn TAP! wizard TAP! adjust TAP!
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
“Ehhh? agent You’re going to cook with that?”
“Will this do? adapt It’s a Chest Armor from Heavy-class machinery……”
Santa had returned.
While Akina frowned, Ash silently accepted the Chest Armor.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Then he carefully examined its inner surface to make sure there was no rust or oil stains.
Satisfied, Ash placed the piece over the grill.
“Not bad. antique It will suffice.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
In an instant, the flames surged violently until they enveloped the Chest Armor in a deep-red glow.
SSSSSS!
Onto the concave surface of the Chest Armor, which was now thoroughly heated, Ash successively added oil, spices, chopped vegetables, and meat.
Then he lowered his stance slightly and began precisely controlling the intensity of the fire.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
It was a rich, fragrant smell, capable of awakening the most primal instincts of appetite.
Shortly afterward.
A wonderful aroma, unlike anything those present had ever experienced, began spreading throughout the yard.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Santa.
From that moment onward, not a single conversation could be heard in the yard.
Ifrit.
Translation of Cyberpunk Chivalry - Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitors by Indra Translations.
Even Akina.
The five humans began unconsciously drawing closer, step by step.
Jack and Dullahan.
Until they ended up gathered around the humanoid who was cooking.
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