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Translator: Nonon
Proofreader: Silavin
Shiki.
I and Gray were helping Ms. Schwarz find suitable lodging. There are mainly three places that offer accommodations in Shiki. The tavern/inn/guild called ‘Rainbow’. The Church. And the mansion of the domain lord, which would be mine.
Usually I’d recommend Rainbow where you can get three square meals a day and have a leisurely stay but if the guest dislikes commotion and is indifferent towards religion then I’d recommend the church. And when either is no good or if the guest is someone of elevated status, then I’d suggest they stay at my mansion.
Given that Ms. Schwarz wasn’t averse to a boisterous atmosphere and had planned to stay for a week, I proposed she stay at Rainbow.
“I do apologize. Looks like my children caused much trouble.”
And once I explained the reason why we were in the forest back then, Ms. Schwarz, carrying a shoulder bag that looked like a guitar case, apologized looking very sorry. Side note, she was wearing proper clothes this time.
Tapered pants as black as her hair, a comfy blazer in the same shade of black, under which she had on a white shirt. She also had on a pair of black industrial gloves, making her body covered to the full extent possible.
And yet, upon inquiring why she was showing off back then,
“The value of an artwork goes up in value precisely because it’s not observed often.”
Feeling relieved that she wouldn’t be flashing anyone in Shiki made me briefly entertain the idea that she might be nice, before catching myself and realizing that someone who brazenly shows off their naked body in public is not normal after all, so I settled on labeling her down as a pervert with rules.
“Are you a monster tamer, Ms. Schwarz?”
“Not really. I’ve just been able to communicate with what people call monsters ever since I can remember. I met those guys while traveling and they ended up tagging along. Which led to them straying from their habitat and running off.”
Monster tamers are basically people who can have monsters do their bidding. Among them, there are those capable of forming emotional bonds with monsters, but in Ms. Schwarz’s case, she only seems to be able to communicate with them and doesn’t have any under her control.
She refers to them as ‘my children’, simply because she tends to refer to all monsters that follow her that way. Though, I know that there’s a hint of truth and deception in that statement.
“That said, I do want to apologize to the victims and remunerate them appropriately. Could I trouble you to help me with that?”
“That’s alright, don’t let it bother you. I would acquiesce if the attack had been intentional but it appears it was merely a coincidence.”
The monster disturbance this time was not spearheaded by Ms. Schwarz but simply the actions of the monsters that apparently ‘followed’ her. It didn’t result in casualties and the monsters that were in the hot spring with her, also went back to their habitat after being urged to do so by Ms. Schwarz.
“I couldn’t possibly not do anything. All of this happened because I doted on them. It wouldn’t be beautiful to take advantage of your kindness, turn a blind eye and go about my way.”
Though she does have a weird side to her, she seems to be earnest at heart. Had Lady Violet witnessed this side of her, she may not have tried to avoid her by saying, ‘You’ll have to excuse me. I have to meet the victims and explain the situation.’
“Then I’ll have Gray show you around Shiki tomorrow. It’s rather late now and though Lady Violet has cleared things up earlier, I still need to provide a short explanation of the events to the townspeople myself.”
“That… alright, let’s do that. Sorry and I’ll be counting on you.”
Truth be told, Ms. Schwarz can’t be trusted. The reason being, she’s something akin to an assassin in the otome game, Ring of Fire, and depending on how things pan out, she ends up killing the hero.
She’s briefly introduced at the start of the game and depending on the route, she’s the mysterious character who re-enters the game sometime in the middle.
‘Sorry, but I’m just doing my job. Resent me if you want. That should lighten the load on you?’ She’d say stuff like that while cornering the protagonist and her troupe.
Depending on the route, she could also become an ally, but the fact remains that fundamentally she’s a threat, a woman who would do anything from investigation to assassination in exchange for money. I did get the feeling that she was narcissistic… but I never imagined that she’d be this big a pervert.
… Now, how shall I proceed?
I’d be glad if it ends up being nothing but groundless apprehension. However, if her arriving in Shiki wasn’t mere coincidence, there’s no guarantee that she wouldn’t harm me or Lady Violet or certain townspeople who are ‘trouble but excellent in their own regard and of high status’.
On the other hand, even if I take precautions, the other party is a professional. A novice like me would be easily found out. That said, given how she’s staying for a week, she will have to be watched to an extent.
“By the way, you said your name was Gray?”
“Yes? Did you need me?”
As I was thinking of ways to deal with her, Ms. Schwarz suddenly turned to look at Gray.
Don’t tell me, she’s here for Gray…?
Because he was a child of noble lineage all along and she’s here to look into it and take him back? If that’s the case, then I need to protect Gray. No matter his past, so long as he’s against the idea, he’s my family and I must protect him.
“Nothing, I just thought that you’re pretty. So how about it, do you want to play with me tonight?”
Hey, what the hell are you thinking of doing to Gray, you perverted woman? I thought she had common sense, but never mind, she’s a pervert after all. She’s around 17 as I remember, but to think she’d want to lay hands on a kid 6 years younger than her, was that her preference?
“Play… Sure, I’m okay with playing trump or games that use hot stones. Though it would have to wait until after I finish work.”
“No, Gray. That isn’t the kind of games this person has in mind—“
Gray can speak of adult matters, but he’s still a boy who doesn’t fully understand them. If he’s going to get caught up in something weird, maybe I should exercise my authority as the domain lord and have him leave the place.
“Really? I’m glad to hear that, Gray! No one can beat me in poker or president. I like playing different local games by their rules in places I visit. I hope you can teach me this and that.”
“I don’t mind. Would that be alright, Lord Clo?”
“…Hmm. As long as you don’t make a racket and inconvenience people around you.”
“Of course.”
Anyway, after letting the innkeeper know that they can throw her out if she tries to pull anything weird, Gray and Ms. Schwarz joined the others in the tavern and had a grand old time playing games.
Shit, I really can’t get a read on her.
“Hello there, are you the client who hired me for the job?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
“As you wished, I’ve reached Shiki.”
“I see. Then, please do as you were asked. The next time you contact me can be after you’re done.”
“Noted. Let me verify the details once again. The request is to kill Lady Violet Valentine, is that right?”
“That is no longer a Valentine.”
“Yes, yes, I got that. Expect good news soon.”
“By the way, you sound different from before, did something happen?”
“I’m simply trying out a new role.”
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Gosh darn it. Leave V alone, lady.