Chapter 154 Part 2
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Translator: Jiro Editor: Ryunakama
As we got closer to it a delicious smell invaded our noses.
Looking through the window we could see a pair of ears and a woman’s silhouette. It was Shirushu.
As soon as Milly saw her, she relaxed her body and let herself fall into my arms.
「Good grief… In the end what was the point of all that walking!!」
「It seems like it would have been better if we had just waited at the church.」
「Wasn’t it precisely you Zeph who said that we had to find her cause you couldn’t swallow your pride!」 Milly said angrily.
「Ahaha, it’s fine. I had a lot of fun.」 Lydia said as she tried to calm Milly down.
We approached the church’s door as we talked cheerfully. Just as we were about to open the front door we suddenly heard a voice.
「Don’t move.」
I felt something cold touch my throat.
Looking closely, I noticed that it was a short knife. My right hand was twisted behind my back, causing squeaking in my joints.
I couldn’t see very well because of the position I was in, but there was certainly someone behind me.
「Zeph!!」
「That goes for all of you as well.」 The person said in a quiet but firm tone.
Milly was stopped in her tracks by the voice, which contained a heavy pressure.
Good grief, I didn’t notice him at all… He’s not your typical guy if he can get behind me even with Lydia present.
「Answer my questions. Who are you?」
As the person spoke I could feel the blade attached to my throat dig even deeper…
I guess it can’t be helped.
Just as I prepared myself to strike back someone yelled out.
「Zeph-san?!!」 Shirushu’s voice sounded in the area.
I took advantage of the opportunity to break free from the grip and gain some distance.
Looking back, I noticed that the enigmatic figure was wearing a black mask with only his eyes visible.
And he had the nerve to ask us who we were. You’re 10 times as suspicious as us!
「Sarutobi-san please stop! These people are… Zeph-san is my friend!」
「Hm, so you are…」
The person named Sarutobi slowly sheathed her short blade as she spoke.
Shirushu then hurriedly appeared in between me and him.
Her long peach hair fluttered in the air and her beast ears rose above her head. It was my first time seeing her in these past three years.
Even though she wore the same sister clothes as before, she had a completely different air around her. It was obvious that she had trained her body quite a bit.
「This person is Sarutobi-san. She’s my master.」
「I go by Sarutobi. I apologize for my rude behavior.」
「I’m Zeph Einstein. It seems like you’ve been looking after Shirushu.」 I said as I shook Sarutobi’s hand.
It seems like we finally cleared up all of the misunderstandings.
「Sarutobi huh… Have we met before?」 Silverie asked as she took a step forward.
「I am a shinobi that works under Yera-dono. She’s been taking good care of me.」
「… Just as I thought.」
Now it all makes sense. So Yera sent one of her subordinates to train Shirushu.
「How about we talk while we have dinner? You must all be tired from the long trip, right?」 Shirushu asked.
「You are right. My stomach is gurgling like crazy because we spent the whole day searching for you, Shirushu.」 Milly said.
「You’re making stew aren’t you Shiru-chi! I’ll help.」 Lydia exclaimed.
Following that all of us entered the church and sat around the dining table.
「Zeph-san I’m glad you’re awake. It must be because of God’s protection.」
「Well Milly’s spell helped as well I guess.」 I said while laughing
「Hey! What do you mean by that!!!」 Milly said angrily.
She really needs to get used to these jokes.
I nodded Milly’s head, who seemed to be in a foul mood as she looked down.
Sarutobi, on the other hand, made no attempt to communicate with us and simply ate without taking off his mask.
Could it be that he wears that thing 24/7?
「Shirushu, have you seen Sarutobi’s face?」
「… I haven’t. It appears that master has no intention of showing it, so I haven’t pried that much as well.」
It seems like Shirushu doesn’t know as well.
Lydia moved her neck like a snake in an attempt to get a better look at Sarutobi’s face, but Sarutobi didn’t seem bothered in the least.
It’s just as I thought. That mask has a spell cast on it. It most likely makes use of the light’s reflection to obscure the owner’s face. Lydia I’m afraid to say that it’s pointless no matter how hard you try.
「So Shirushu, can you introduce us to Sarutobi-san?」 Milly asked.
「You’re right! I’m sorry I completely forgot!」
「In that case I’ll introduce myself first.」 As she put his spoon on the table and wiped her mouth with a napkin, Sarutobi said.
「My name is Sarutobi. I serve under Yera-dono and am currently Shirushu-dono’s teacher. Due to being a beastfolk as well I was tasked with helping her control her power.」
「I’m honored to be under your care.」 Shirushu said as she lowered her head towards Sarutobi.
I see. I guess there’s a lot you can learn from your own species.
「That aside, you lot came here because you took a request from Yera-dono, correct?」
「You know about it?」
「I was the one who reported it… I have the necessary sealing scroll here as well. Can I ask you to come with me as soon as tomorrow?」 Sarutobi said as she took out a single sheet of paper with a magic circle on top of it.
This magic circle could be activated by supplying it with magic power.
And after it’s activation it would prevent the emergence of monsters for several years.
When building a city these types of scrolls were usually laid around the area in order to prevent it from turning into a dungeon. They were also used before the construction of any facilities.
With a newly formed dungeon, as long as it was placed at the centre of the dungeon, it would be able to seal it then everything would go back to normal.
「Of course. We’ll count on you to guide us.」
「I’m excited to see what you’re capable of.」 Sarutobi said as we once again shook hands.
「Thank you for the meal!」
After finishing with their meal, all of the children brought their hands together and said words of gratitude.
Similar to them we also brought out hands together.
The stew that Shirushu had prepared for us was as simple as usual. It included some basic vegetables and market scrap meat, as well as a stale slice of bread. And the amount was limited as well.
In the past Ryu used to beg for food in the market in order to fill his belly. The amount of food served was definitely not enough to feed a growing child.
I could see where he was coming from now, because despite having eaten, I was still hungry.
I’ll go to the market later and buy something.
While I was thinking that I noticed that Lydia was rummaging through her bag, searching for something.
The next moment she placed a cardboard box on top of the table. As she opened the lid, a massive cake coated in whipping cream filled the inside of the box.
「I actually made a cake, so how about it everyone, want to share it with me?」
「Whoa!!! Yes, yes!」
「I love you big sister Lydia.」
「I’m glad that you like it!」 Lydia said while hugging the children.
Lydia seemed to be overjoyed despite being surrounded by children.
She made a cake in order to be popular with the children huh… Nothing less from her.
「Thank you very much Lydia-san.」 Shirushu expressed her gratitude
「It’s fine. I made it because I felt like it ♪ So Shiru-chan, will you try it as well? You like stuff like this, right?」
「Well… I’m…」
「Your tail’s going wild Shirushu.」
「Wha-?!」
Even though Shirushu tried to hold back her tail, it wouldn’t stop moving.
It was somewhat inconvenient not to be able to conceal your emotions.
After seeing everyone smile at her, Shirushu’s face turned bright red.
Considering she was a pure breed, Shirushu’s hair and eyes would turn red when her emotions were stirred.
Still I guess with this much it shouldn’t be a problem.
「Well then let’s eat! I made a lot so no need to hold back!」
「Yey!!」
Lydia looked extremely happy as the kids filled up their cheeks with cake and even came to ask for seconds.
It looks like there won’t be any left for me.
Thinking that I moved to a desk placed at the corner of the room and sat on a chair.
As soon as I sat down Milly came closer while hiding something behind her back with both hands.
「Zeph. This… please take it!!」 Milly said as she pulled out a plate with a piece of cake on top of it.
「When did you get that?」
「… Actually, I made this myself.」
「Really?」
It really looked a bit different than Lydia’s cake.
Milly’s cake was much smaller, fitting in the palm of one’s hand, and her shape was a little awkward. It was difficult to make a comparison to Lydia’s. Even so, it had a cream pattern drawn on it, and even had a heart shaped mark with a number of cute decorations. It was evident that it must have taken quite a bit of time to make. It was definitely something that screamed hand-made.
My mouth unconsciously turned into a grin as I stared at the tiny cake.
「W-What is it…」
「Nothing much, I just thought that it looked really cute.」
「… D-Don’t be stupid… Come one, hurry up and eat it!」 Milly said as she turned bright red and pushed the plate at me.
She must be quite embarrassed that she made it herself.
Milly kept a close eye on me as I took the fork and sliced a tiny slice of cake with a smile on my face and shoved it into my mouth.
「H-How is it?」
「Hm…」
I slowly chewed while trying to fully savour the cake.
Milly’s eyes grew wider and wider as she waited for my answer.
It’s hard to eat with you watching me like that, you know.
The moment the cake touched my mouth a slightly sweet taste assaulted my mouth after which the silky cream spread itself around my tongue, slowly melting into the inside of my mouth.
The slight sweetness left a pleasant feeling in my mouth. It made me wish to take another bite.
「It’s delicious Milly. You’ve done a splendid job.」
「Really?!!」
And to think that three years ago all she could do was bake cookies. Lydia must have taught her a lot. Her skills have improved quite a lot.
As I patted Milly on the head to thank her, she smiled brightly.
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