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Chapter 46: A Forceful Cover-Up

 

The owner approached me as I arrived near the slave trader’s shop.

He must have just woken up. His complexion was pale and his legs were unsteady.

「Sir, I… I apologize. The slaves escaped…」

「I know. I was also there.」

「Oh? Speaking of which, where have you been, sir…?」

「I got into a fight with the intruder. I escaped from the building while avoiding the intruder’s attacks. More importantly, what will you do about this?」

「I… I see, sir. I will prepare another slave right away!

Also… I would like to report this to the authorities.

I am extremely ashamed to request this, but would it possible for you to come with me as a witness, sir?」

Hmm, he seems to be suspecting me… Perhaps my story was too convenient.

「…What are you saying? There’s no reason for me to follow you. In addition to that, don’t report me to the top. I don’t want to go through this trouble.」

「That’s, uh… I have to report the situation at the time of the attack… The witness who was at the scene would be required to attend…」

Hmm, I feel like it would be better if I threaten this guy instead.

But I have to make sure he doesn’t faint… Gotta control my killing intent.

「Do you understand your position right now? You better listen to me carefully. If you keep saying stupid shit, I’ll crush your whole body and feed you to zombies.

And… to you bastards hiding in the back alleys and aiming for me, you’re all prepared to die, right?」

As soon as I said that, I saw four figures quickly trying to hide better.

「Aaaah, umm… Please forgive me! I won’t say it, I won’t say anything! I will clearly instruct my subordinates too!」

「Obviously. If you report me, I will crush you, if you try to investigate me, I will crush you, if you lay a hand on my comrades… don’t even dream of a quick death.

Besides, I was originally a victim. Isn’t that true?」

「Y-Y-Yes! It is exactly as you say, sir! I apologize for doubting you. I will punish my subordinates in the back alleys!」

「I hope… you won’t make the wrong choice. Is that clear?」

「Yessss!!」

That will do, I suppose.

I left the slave trader’s shop while continuing to emit killing intent.

No one followed me as I made my way back to the inn.

Alright, that went great! There shouldn’t be any problem.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

For the next three days, we enjoyed shopping and eating at Miralda while keeping an eye on the slave traders. After confirming that there was no more danger, we continued our journey to Alraine.

We purposely hired a carriage and a coachman to travel to Alraine.

Right now, we were being rocked by the carriage… Since I talked about my past, I’ve gotten closer to Kinu. Rather than being close, she is constantly holding me somewhere on my body.

Back at the inn, Kinu spoke with Drake and exchanged rooms to be with me. And even while sitting in the carriage, she was hugging my left arm.

The members of Black Thunder treat it like it’s normal, but the gazes from the people in public makes me feel uncomfortable…

「Kinu, I’m not going to run away. You don’t have to hang on to me so tightly.」

「Aun, you don’t… like?」

「That’s not it at all. It actually makes me happy. Just that, the way other people look at me makes me feel uncomfortable…」

「…I don’t care about that. Do you… care about that?」

The way she looks up at me is the cutest thing ever… It makes me so happy.

Yeah. Let’s not worry about the people in the surroundings!

If Kinu says so, then so be it! Rather, the people in the surroundings are the strange ones.

「Aun-sama, please stay with Kinu-sama all the time. For my viewing pleasure too…」

「You two are a good match, bro! We don’t mind at all. Rather, if there are people who look at you strangely, I’ll kill them!」

「Aun and Kinu are really close, aren’t you? I want a partner like that too.」Nelfie.

I guess it’s okay if these guys don’t mind it.

But, I won’t cling to Kinu… at least, I don’t think I will.

However, if she is in her fluffy fox form then it’s a different story!!

The horse-drawn carriage will take us to Alraine in about two days. We camped last night. Neither monsters nor bandits attacked us.

If everything goes according to plan, we should be arriving at Alraine in a little while.

「Oh, come to think of it, I have something for you, Nelfie.」

I took out a piece of clothing.

≪Ninja Attire [Kunoichi]: Defense 10; Concealment effect, Dexterity and Agility correction.≫

「This is an equipment called “Kimono”, worn in the Wano Kingdom.

We are all wearing a kimono. It’s a gift from Ars, Irs, and Barbaru. Please take it.」

「Are you sure!? This is a fairly rare piece of equipment, isn’t it?」

「Nn. Nelfie will also match with us …」Kinu.

「That’s right! The ranking battle will go smoothly!」Drake.

「Thank you. I will change in the royal capital. Matching, huh… I feel somewhat happy.」

We would probably stand out if we all appeared wearing kimono, but that’s okay. It’s perfect for showing off our power.

As we were talking about stuff like that, the outer walls of the royal castle and the city’s outer walls began to come into view in the distance.

I never thought I would come back to this city again… As the saying goes, you never know what will happen in life.

The ranking match is scheduled to start tomorrow. Numerous spectators will come to see it.

Perhaps because of that, there was a long queue at the outer gate. It will take half a day to enter, it seems.

However, since we were participants in the ranking battle, there was no need to line up and our lodging had already been decided.

As for today’s schedule, the rules were posted in the arena, so we’re going to check them out.

After that, we will report our arrival and register for the tournament at the Adventurer’s Guild, and then hold a strategy meeting at the inn.

Things will get busy starting tomorrow, so let’s get a good night’s rest tonight.

As I was thinking about that, the carriage passed through the gate and we entered the royal capital Alraine.