Chapter 119-2
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Ah, so she thinks I’m from a noble or wealthy family.
Every day, with Iris and Seria offering their healing presence, I make sure to wash myself with warm water.
The water does run low quickly, but if it looks like I won’t make it to the refill point, Iris always provides some magic to replenish it.
Even though my cleanliness doesn’t exactly fit Marisa’s intuition, I’d rather not sully myself just to hide the truth.
It feels bad to do that anyway.
Sure, my noble origins could lead to my family being identified, but if things go as I expect, I should be in the clear regarding the “Gem Snake” incident’s reward.
What I’m really after is the status of being a descendant of a former noble, without demanding any of their rights.
If that’s the case, the chances of my family being pinpointed will drop, and I won’t have to worry about being pristine anymore.
The real issue is how long it’ll take for all of this to pan out.
During this snowy season, movement is tough, so even if someone starts investigating my family, I doubt they’ll get far before things are settled.
So, for now, it looks like I’ll need to keep up the charade… not exactly a misunderstanding, but more like a necessary cover-up.
”Um, there seems to be a misunderstanding, but I’m not involved with that kind of family…”
”Oh really…? Is that so?”
Marisa’s mood dips slightly at my words, but she doesn’t let go of my hand, pressed against her chest.
”But, being entrusted with Hooters’ prototypes means… they really must trust you, right?”
”Well…”
If anything, it’s more like personal trust coming from Ms. Wendy, but I nod in agreement, thinking Iris’s matter helps make that trust easier to earn.
Marisa leans in closer, trying again to engage me.
”Hooters has distribution channels in other regions too, right? It’s a pretty big merchant guild in Dungeon City, isn’t it?”
”Yeah, that’s true.”
”If you’re trusted by such a merchant guild… you must know all sorts of things about their upcoming products, right? If I could hear all kinds of stories, I think I could share some juicy details of my own too♡”
Whoa, she’s asking me to spill the inside scoop on Hooters, huh?
I can’t reciprocate, so I pull my hand away from her chest and refuse.
Swoosh
”I can’t do that. I’m not troubled by women, and I’m not short on money either.”
At my answer… Marisa glances at Ms. Casa, then steps back.
”Hmm…”
”…”
”Well, I guess that’s that then,♪”
Well, that was easy.
It’s fortunate, but there’s something unsettling about how she backed down.
Ms. Casa, who was looked at by her, didn’t seem to react in particular, but it also felt like she acknowledged her gaze.
Right as I thought that, Ms. Casa opened her mouth.
”Well, let’s leave that topic there. As for the main matter… would the warehouse be alright? My daughter caused you trouble, and I want to personally examine the item you brought.”
With the emphasis on her “personally,” I realize something.
From the start, Ms. Casa wasn’t suspicious of the letter I gave her.
Even if it was a small merchant guild, the fact that the guild leader would meet with a random young customer like me is unusual…I need to confirm Iris’s whereabouts in a secluded place, but her claim that she needs to personally examine the item in her warehouse is unnatural.
So she probably made up a reason to deal with me, and got Marisa to help.
Whether Marisa’s actions and words are all lies or not, she made it clear to everyone in the shop that I had nothing to do with the “Amira merchant guild.”
I’d think she’d immediately take me to a back room, but… by taking her time with me, she wanted to make it seem like I wasn’t important enough to be with Iris, even if someone hostile was watching.
Maybe questioning the letter’s warmth was part of that plan.
Well, considering the secrets involved, this is about what I expected.
* * *
We moved to a less crowded warehouse.
I couldn’t tell Seria about Iris’ situation, so I asked her to wait with Marisa in the reception room of the store.
And so, Iris, invisible, was driving the carriage on my lap, and we’ve arrived right in front of the warehouse… But in situations like this, we can’t just bring the horse inside, you know.
So after stopping the carriage, I put Iris in one of the wooden crates in the back, and I carried it into the warehouse.
For now, I don’t plan on revealing to Ms. Casa that Iris can turn invisible.
Ms. Casa saw me opening and closing the crate, but she probably thought I was just checking inside to make sure I had the right one.
Ms. Casa closed the warehouse entrance and, after confirming that no one else was inside, she asked me,
”That… thing…?”
I guess there’s still a chance I could be an enemy, so she approached me cautiously… I opened the crate, deactivated the Magic Armor, and revealed Iris, no longer invisible.
CLAP!
”Ms. Casa, it’s been a while,”
Iris said, her voice reaching Ms. Casa as her form became visible.
Ms. Casa, surprised but relieved, responded to Iris.
”W-What?! You’re safe and sound…”
If something had happened to Iris, Ms. Casa and the others who helped her would’ve been in deep trouble once the truth came out.
Still, they must’ve had their reasons for helping, but seeing Iris safe and sound was undoubtedly a relief.
Even in the dim light, Ms. Casa’s eyes, which had been so tense, softened, and she showed a look of relief.
Iris asked Ms. Casa something.
”How’s Marisa doing?”
”She’s doing well. Mother is handling Ms. Seria’s…”
Wait, so she’s the parent?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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