Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells Vol. 1

by Kaoru Shinozaki

  It’s smart to keep this knight on her guard, let her think I have friends around. It sounds like she isn’t a friend of those four from earlier, which is good—I doubt I’d win her over if I murdered her friends. But I still don’t trust her…she’s wearing that blindfold, after all. It’s hiding her expression from me—it might be making it easier for her to lie. Is she using it to trick me?

  The blindfold slid upwards onto her forehead.

  That timing—it’s like she read my mind!

  I gazed at the girl’s full face for the first time.

  With the blindfold pushed aside, there was no mistaking her beauty. Her eyebrows were shapely and elegant, but it was her pale blue eyes that made me stop and stare.

  I’ve never seen eyes this clear before.

  There was something mystical about her appearance, far removed from any human I’d ever seen. She almost looked like an elf from stories—they’d always been drawn as fine, slim, and attractive in things I’d read. But the most obvious feature common to elves was missing—I could make out human ears beneath the veil.

  “Thank you for answering my question,” she said. “And I apologize for my abruptness. I did not detect any falsehood when you told me you defeated my pursuers. Thank you for answering me truthfully.”

  Does she have a lie detector or something? Sounds like she’s real confident I was telling the truth.

  She looked at me as sincerely as someone taking an oath in court—I was sure she’d have her hand on her heart if she’d been able to move it there.

  “I pledge to answer your questions truthfully, and to the best of my ability. For defeating those four mercenaries, I owe you my life.”

  She owes me her life? That’s big, but…no point in just being owed a favor, I’ve gotta call it in.

  “What would you like to know? I believe you said you’re not from around here,” she said, formal and dignified even in her current predicament. Maybe that meant she wasn’t quite so suspicious of me.

  “Not from around here, no. I travelled all over before I ended up here.”

  “What brought you here in the first place?”

  “I was abandoned, I guess you could say.”

  “I see… I’m sorry for being so forward.”

  Abandoned… The word probably evoked all kinds of dark images in her mind. Was I ditched by my traveling companions? Forced off my land? Sold into slavery?

  But…it wasn’t a lie. It was the story of my life. I’d been abandoned by my parents, discarded by that foul Goddess. And…it didn’t hurt that hinting at a dark past might make her think twice about asking me personal questions. Concealing the details of my life was just smart. I looked her in the eyes, and she looked back, questions in her gaze that she wasn’t actually asking.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “You don’t seem like a bad person…as far as I can tell,” I confessed.

  “Have I won a little of your trust, perhaps?”

  “Only a little. I have my reasons to be secretive, just like you. I think it’s in both of our best interests not to pry too deeply.”

  I can sense that she has something to hide, too. But that’s fine with me—she can keep her secrets, I just need some basic info and to get away safe.

  “I agree,” she said, a shadow falling over her face. “That suits me as well.”

  There wasn’t much left on the paralysis gauge—I didn’t have time to chat.

  “Are there any towns or settlements near here?”

  “The small city of Mils is nearby. I was actually heading there myse—”

  She caught herself and stopped mid-sentence. Apparently she didn’t want to tell me where she was going—afraid I might leak information to her enemies, maybe. In any case, the secret was out. Lucky for her I didn’t really care.

  The girl told me the general direction and how long it’d take on foot—Mils wasn’t far.

  I might be able to sleep in a real bed tonight…

  “What country is this?”

  “You don’t know what country you’re in?”

  “It’s a long story—I’ve been living under a rock. Answer the question, will you?” I answered, trying to dodge her suspicions.

  “Well…we’re in the southern part of the Kingdom of Ulza right now—this area is known as the Dark Forest.”

  Wow. This isn’t even Alion? I just assumed the Ruins of Disposal were there, but…this is useful information.

  “Where is the Kingdom of Alion from here?” I asked.

  “Alion? That’s north of Ulza. Keep going southeast from here and you’ll reach…” She hesistated a moment, “the Bakoss Empire.”

  There was something she wasn’t saying, but I didn’t push any further.

  At least I’m far away from that foul Goddess for now. If this is a whole different country, I shouldn’t be in immediate danger from her.

  “All right, this next question’s going to sound a little weird.”

  The girl looked taken aback, but remembered she was a captive audience.

  “Ah. Right. Go ahead.”

  “So…how much would it cost for a person to buy some bread around here?”

  “You don’t know that…?”

  “I’ve been living under a rock, like I said. I don’t know what things cost here.”

  “I see…I’d say that no matter where you are, a slice of bread won’t cost more than one silver coin.”

  Good to know they actually have bread in this world.

  “How many bronze coins are in a silver?”

  “Thirty.”

  Let’s say a slice of bread costs 100 yen. That’d make a silver piece worth 3000 yen? That gives me a rough idea, I guess, but I can’t expect things here to cost the same as back in Japan…I can’t think in yen anymore. The price of bread is a good start, though—everything else can wait until I make it to Mils.

  I continued asking questions as the yellow gauge ticked down, until finally, there was only one more important thing to ask.

  I took the forbidden magic scrolls out of my pouch and held them up so the girl could see them.

  “Can you read these?”

  Her glassy eyes scanned the parchment.

  Has she realized she can move her whole head?

  I couldn’t tell for sure. Now that I was closer, I could see dark rings under her eyes…

  Long days on the run, never getting enough sleep?

  She wrinkled her brow.

  “This looks like an ancient language…a rare one, at that.”

  “Can you read it?”

  “Unfortunately, no.”

  “All right.”

  I rolled up the scrolls and put them back in my pouch.

  Guess it won’t be that easy—I’d hoped for a clue at least, but I’ll have to keep looking.

  “Although…”

  “Hm?”

  “I might know of someone who can.”

  “Really? Why do you think that?”

  “She was once known as the Forbidden Witch—you haven’t heard that name before?”

  “No.”

  A witch, huh?

  “The last I heard of her, though, she’d been driven from her home by commoners suspicious of her vast forbidden knowledge.”

  Guess that’s why it’s forbidden. Well, even if it’s just a guess based on a rumor, at least I have a lead.

  “What if I wanted to meet with this witch? Where would I find her?”

  “Do you know of the Great Ruins?”

  “First I’ve heard of them.”

  “It’s rumored that she’s living somewhere in that area.”

  “You don’t know for sure?”

  “I’m sorry—all I have are rumors.”

  “Is it far from here?”

  “Keep heading north and you’ll find it in time, but…” She hesitated again. “I believe reaching her will be very difficult.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “The area surrounding the Great Ruins is
known as the Land of the Golden-Eyed Monsters.”

  There was a lot I didn’t understand about what she was telling me, but I couldn’t be too surprised—I barely knew anything about this world, so there was just too much to process all at once.

  When I have a little time, I need to sit down and get a handle on all this.

  “So, I’m guessing it’s a breeding ground for monsters?”

  “That’s correct—it’s a dangerous zone that occupies much of the center of the continent.”

  “Huh.”

  Sounds like everybody on the continent knows about the danger waiting there…making it the perfect hiding place for the witch.

  “Thank you for the information. I’m grateful.”

  I looked at the gauge—there were only a few minutes left.

  I think I can trust her, but…it’s always possible she’ll attack me the moment this effect wears off. Even that foul Goddess seemed friendly enough at first.

  Time to go.

  “Is there anything else?”

  “No. I’m done.”

  She forced a laugh.

  “I don’t suppose this makes us even, does it…? This is hardly enough to repay you for saving my life—”

  “No.”

  “Hm?”

  “We’re even. The information you’ve given me is more than enough to repay that debt.”

  Learning all this before I get to town is a blessing.

  “Now we’re going to go our separate ways—understand?”

  “Y-yes. If that’s your decision, of course.”

  She seemed to feel obliged to do more, too honorable for her own good.

  It must be hard to live like that—worrying so much about other people.

  She reminded me of my foster mother, who spent so much of her time caring for others that it made me worry about her. My foster mother was the best model I could think of for what a good person is like.

  “See you.”

  “Excuse me, but…this movement-restraining technique…”

  “It’ll wear off in a few minutes. I can’t guarantee your safety during that time, though.”

  I said “skill” earlier, but she used the term “technique”…

  “I understand. It will be dispelled soon, then,” she replied. I was almost positive she had some kind of lie-detecting ability.

  “Thanks for answering my questions so quickly.”

  “You did seem to be in a rush.”

  She must’ve noticed that I was keeping an eye on the gauge…

  “Well, thank you.”

  “I owe you my life.”

  “You’re not so bad. Might seem ironic given that I just ambushed you in the forest, but…I hope you have a safe journey.”

  I turned and walked away.

  After a while, Piggymaru squelched out from my robes with a “Squee!”.

  “Hm?”

  “Squee?”

  “You want to know why I let her go?”

  “Squee.”

  Piggymaru turned green.

  “She didn’t seem like she wanted to hurt me, and she answered all my questions. There’s no point attacking someone who doesn’t want to hurt or kill you—I don’t want to slaughter people for no reason. I have a code, y’know?”

  “Squee-squee…”

  Piggymaru’s tentacle bobbed up and down in agreement.

  “But that girl might still come after us once she can move. I’m counting on you to watch my back, partner.”

  Piggymaru shot to attention, turning bright green in response.

  “Squee!”

  She seemed sweet. What was I supposed to do? If she’d reminded me of my real parents, I would’ve killed her with no hesitation, but…she reminded me so strongly of my foster parents, I had to stop and talk.

  “I guess that’s another rule of mine, then…”

  Every rule has exceptions, though.

  As I made my way through the forest, I stumbled upon a spring of clear water in my path.

  “All right, Piggymaru. I’m just gonna clean myself up a little. Keep a lookout, okay?”

  I stared down at my own face reflected in the clean water.

  I look terrible…

  “Little brat, always got that sad, nasty look in your eyes!”

  I remembered my real father’s words.

  Maybe I don’t look terrible…maybe this is just what I look like.

  I scooped up some of the water in my hands.

  I don’t want to drink this stuff, but I should take some of it with me. It might be useful later.

  I filled my old cola bottle. Then I stripped, folding my clothes and placing them on the water’s edge. Taking the rag I’d made by ripping up my uniform, I stepped into the spring. The temperature was mercifully warm, the sunlight-dappled leaves rustling in the light breeze.

  Finally, a chance to get clean.

  I felt my stiff muscles relax as the water washed over them, and then…

  Leaves crunched on the forest floor. My shoulders tensed. I quickly lifted an arm in the direction of the sound.

  “Ah—”

  “It’s just you…”

  The golden-haired girl from earlier stood frozen, looking over at me through the brush. I couldn’t see the armor or sword from earlier—just a pouch slung over her shoulder.

  Can all that armor really fit in there…? She wouldn’t have thrown it away, right?

  I must’ve been staring—the girl looked away.

  “Sorry for disturbing you.”

  She bowed.

  “Did you want to use the spring? I’ll leave as soon as I’m dry.”

  “No, it’s fine. Take your time,” she said, turning on her heels and disappearing once more into the forest.

  I returned to washing myself with the rag, the water cool and refreshing on my back.

  “Sq… Squee…”

  A flattened Piggymaru squelched out of the bushes and slumped towards me.

  “Hmm? What’s wrong, buddy?”

  “Squeeee…”

  Is Piggymaru upset about something?

  “Don’t tell me… You feel bad because you couldn’t hear that girl coming?”

  “Squee…”

  Piggymaru turned green. I crouched down and stretched out my hand.

  “Squee…”

  Piggymaru quivered softly, expecting to be poked in punishment. I reached out and stroked the little slime.

  “Squee?”

  “Don’t worry about it. You did your best, right?”

  “Squee! Squee!”

  Why didn’t Piggymaru see her coming, though?

  I looked off in the direction she’d gone.

  Sure, he might’ve let his guard down a little, but… I didn’t even hear her until it was too late. Piggymaru’s way more sensitive to movements and sounds than I am, but even on guard she slipped right by. There’s something about her…

  “I think she must have some technique for hiding her presence—no wonder you couldn’t sense her coming.”

  That would explain why those four mercenaries spent so long tracking her, too. They must’ve been skilled bounty hunters.

  “Squee, Squee, Squee,” Piggymaru apologized desperately.

  “I said don’t worry about it! I wouldn’t abandon my partner over something like this!”

  Piggymaru turned pink and rolled over to rub against my feet.

  “Squee~! Squee~! ♪”

  I laughed.

  It seems happy now, at least.

  “All right. Onward to Mils.”

  The Runaway

  WHO IN THE WORLD was that boy…?

  She couldn’t stop thinking about him as she came to the gates outside the city of Mils. Of stumbling upon him in the forest after their first encounter…and his naked body.

  It might’ve been the first time she’d gotten such a good look at a naked boy. She’d never even seen her father naked before. Her cheeks grew hot and flushed as she tried to clear the thought of him from her
mind.

  Still, I can’t believe my luck. For the White Walkers to be defeated by chance, by a stranger…

  Defeating those four couldn’t have been easy for her savior, though from the way he talked it didn’t seem that it had been too difficult, either.

  Did he use that strange technique, perhaps…?

  She prided herself on knowing about these things, but a skill that could restrain someone like that…? She had no idea what had happened to her.

  Was it a kind of status effect technique? No…impossible. They’re famous for their low success rates—it’s unthinkable that he could’ve cast such a technique on five targets without failing once. And it lasted far too long.

  Was it an incantation of some sort…perhaps one I’ve never encountered before? He might’ve used some poison to paralyze me, but…he was able to dispel part of it in an instant. It must be magic of some kind…

  She snapped back to attention after letting her mind wander too far.

  No. I must focus on my own situation. First, I need money to continue my journey.

  She’d heard a rumor that there were ways to make quick money in Mils, if you played your cards right.

  I’ll need to gather information, I suppose.

  There were no longer pursuers on her tail, and nobody in Mils knew who she was, but…complacency could get her killed.

  “…”

  Next time I let my disguise drop, I can’t take any chances.

  She took a deep breath and set out to look for information. News of the lucrative opportunities in Mils had certainly spread to other towns by now. She knew where she could find the information she needed—the Mercenaries’ Guild.

  The Mercenaries’ Guild building was marked with a carved wooden sign depicting a scroll of parchment. She stepped into the bustling hall and several heads turned in her direction. Female mercenaries were rare—they often attracted the wrong kind of attention. She concealed her fear under her human disguise.

  I’m not from around here—I’m sure that’s the only reason they’re looking at me…

  She ignored the onlookers and walked through the hall to the noticeboard at the far end. This was where they posted the quests that guild members could undertake. She scanned the board until her eyes settled on the largest poster.

  It appears that I arrived just in time. If this goes well, I’ll be set for travel expenses for quite a while…as soon as I earn enough, I need to get out of Mils.