Chapter 49 The Blacksmith Refuses
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
There’s one big difference between Tengu-san and me, and that’s speed.
In this world, speed isn’t just about how fast you move—it’s also about how quick your reactions are. My base speed, even with skills factored in, tops out at 40. For her to be this invisible to the eye, she’s probably got nearly double that. Hell, she might even be faster than Ethelena, the quickest in our party. Hitting an opponent like that? Honestly, it’s an impossible job.
I keep my eyes on her while mentally pulling up my Skill Slot menu. I hate doing this—it’s easy to mess up the mental image—but I can’t afford to fumble with my hands to open the status screen, so multitasking it is.
I slot in ‘ambush’ and ‘magic attack increase’ into the empty spots. It’s just a tiny boost at best, but something’s better than nothing.
”Lost in thought? You’ve got some nerve.”
Her voice hits me a beat after the impact. I don’t even have time to defend—the blow slams into the chest of my armor like a freight train. She aimed for my neck but pulled it, probably figuring a kill would be bad news.
”No way… Are all Tengu this fast?”
”What, you thought I was just some run-of-the-mill Karasu Tengu? I’m the fastest of the bunch, they say. But that’s some impressive armor you’ve got there. Even my katana only leaves a scratch on the surface.”
”I’m flattered—truly honored. It’s my pride and joy, handmade.”
”…At your age, with that skill? You’ve got talent, kid.”
Something about the respect in Tengu-san’s tone makes me feel a bit closer to her. Let’s be real: if this armor were plain steel, it’d be split in two by now. She’s holding back, and that’s the only reason I’m still conscious.
It sucks that my gear has no metal besides her katana. I can’t read the creaks and groans to react in time.
”Let me ask you one thing, young one. How do you know the young lady’s name?”
”I’ll answer if you tell me the name of the blacksmith you’re hunting.”
”…We’re at an impasse, then.”
”Yeah, sorry about that… I can’t just ignore a threat to one of my precious friends.”
”…I see.”
Tengu-san’s clearly amused, grinning like she knows something. At some point, she must’ve figured me out—though I can’t pin when.
Still, youkai are no joke. They’re strong in ways that make sense why the warriors who take them down become heroes. A regular human wouldn’t even call this a fight.
”Try to hang in there, at least, Blacksmith-san.”
”Don’t underestimate a human’s desperate struggle, Karasu Tengu.”
”I’d never look down on humans like that from the start!”
In an instant, a gust of wind rushes at me. I only realize her form has vanished when I instinctively raise my arm to block—and take the hit.
I knew I couldn’t track her with my eyes, but not even catching the wind-up of her attacks? That’s beyond what I imagined. Her slashes rain down one after another, and my ‘Black Iron Armor’ is holding up like a champ. A few times, I swing my baton on gut instinct, but to her, it probably looks like I’m moving in slow motion. She dodges effortlessly and slams into my armor again. Even if my speed maxed out, I doubt I’d land a hit. As a bodyguard pick, Acting Head of the Family, you nailed it.
”What’s wrong, Blacksmith-san? Is that all the fight you’ve got?”
”Sorry, but I’m no warrior!”
I thrust my baton the opposite way from where her voice came from. I sense her presence for a split second, but the wind shifts, slicing across my midsection before whipping past.
This is bad—no winning this. She’s on another level.
”Seriously, you’ve got nothing going for you but your smithing skills and guts. Why on earth would the lady take an interest in a human like…”
Tengu-san pulls back again, looking troubled. I catch a mutter that gives me a bad vibe, but for my own sanity, I tune it out for now.
Then I hatch a quick plan. I select an item from my Inventory and brace for her next strike. I cross my arms to guard my head, peeking through the gap at her—based on her patterns so far, this stance should—
”Clamming up your defense won’t save you!”
She charges straight on, just like I figured. I deploy the item from my Inventory, manifesting it right in front of my arms. Right after, there’s a cracking sound and a jolt through my limbs.
”What—my Kogarasu Maru!?”
Another ridiculous katana name drops. But the plan worked. The item I pulled out was a Torimochi Ball [T/N: Sticky trap orb, like super-glue in a sphere]. It bursts, gumming up me and Tengu-san together. Her katana’s coated in the stuff, fused right to my armor.
”Got you now, Karasu Tengu!”
I flex my free wrist and grab the katana’s hilt.
”Grh—let go! What kind of glue is this!?”
”It’s great, right? Made it for catching outlaws—a hero’s tool to protect the peace. The crystal of stubborn resolve. You think I’d let it come unstuck easy?”
She strains to pull away, but every inch she gains just yanks her right back. I store the whole mess—’Black Iron Armor’ and all—into my Inventory.
Caught off-guard and unarmed, she’s a step slow. I wrap her in a bear hug. I bet speed builds like hers leave physical defense low.
I squeeze, and I hear odd creaks from inside her. I want her to tap out, but she’s gritting through it. I tighten more, and—
”H-hey, enough already! Hugging a girl like this before her wedding… What do you plan to do with me!?”
”…Huh?”
Some unexpected words float down from above. I glance up, and with her squeezed tight, her figure’s outlined clear as day—curves that scream woman.
Her sharp features flush with embarrassment, tears welling in her eyes.
”Ah, sorry!”
I let go in a panic, and she curls up, hugging herself. Her teary glare stabs me with guilt… and the crowd’s giving me the cold shoulder too.
”Look, I hate to interrupt the victim vibe, but—”
”W-what do you want, you perv?!”
”…You’re the one who came at me with a katana first. Don’t play the victim card.”
That actually pissed me off.
Tengu-san flinches, looking sheepish at my words. If she’d just answered my question, none of this would’ve happened, right?
The onlookers shift their stares too—remembering I’m the one who got jumped.
”…What the hell are you doing, Julon?”
A voice laced with exasperation calls out behind me. I turn to see unscathed Calmys-san standing there. Her right hand grips the drawn ‘Fiero’—it’s in annihilation mode, blade a blur too fast to see. Shockingly, the ninja’s unharmed… wait, no—steel wires have her trussed up like a turkey.
”Uh, Calmys-san, how are you even doing that? I mean, ‘Fiero’ could handle fine control like—?”
”Today, my lord gifted me a certain accessory. Once equipped, it lets me handle my partner better than ever.”
”I-is that so…”
Her lips twitch—just a bit. Yeah, that’s gotta be the ‘Alchemist’s Egg’… Boosted mana total, so she can wield it properly now?
”You… What kind of mad genius crafts something that makes this possible? No, don’t explain. My stomach couldn’t take it.”
Yeah, fair… The city mayor probably lost her mind handing it over.
”Hey, missy. Better not move. This blade cuts through mithril like butter—the finest work from the city’s top crafter, empowered by my mana. Special make. Give up resisting.”
Calmys-san hypes me as the city’s best, skipping over my “next Chief Crafter” title. The ninja, hearing that, twitches for a hidden weapon—and blood seeps from a few spots. I designed annihilation mode for wide-area blasts without fine control, but she’s operating it on some insane level. Also, Calmys-san, it doesn’t quite slice mithril that easy.
”Tengu-san, you probably get it by now. Or, well—you noticed something about me the second we started fighting, right?”
”Sigh… I just wanted to test your straight-up combat skills. But you read my habits and set a trap…”
”Humans are weak, so we fight like the underdogs we are. Just like you strong types can’t grasp our scrappy ways… right?”
Hinagiku nodded. “You’re right. And that’s the strength of humans.”
She agreed with me, but I could tell she was dodging something. She knew who I was based on my question earlier.
”Sorry, Julon,” Calmys said, “but I’ve gotta drag these two to the Immigration Bureau, then Central Administration. Apparently, the Foreign Affairs Chief isn’t thrilled.”
”Yeah, figures,” I replied.
Tough luck for Hinagiku, but she’s gotta take the heat for not keeping an eye on that ninja. Supervisory responsibility, you know? The ninja, grabbed by the scruff by Calmys, looked downright pitiful, almost tugging at my heartstrings. But considering his gozaru act, he might just be faking it again. Hinagiku, though, was all in—ready to clobber him if he tried anything. That fist she dropped earlier? No acting there. She’s a real hard worker. Crow Tengu, huh? Am I turning into a dad-joke guy?
”Hey, Hinagiku,” I called.
”Yes, Blacksmith-san?” she replied.
”About your katana—gimme a bit to return it. Gotta hit a water source to clean off the Torimochi properly.”
”Oh, no worries,” she said. “I can’t take it back until this foolish fox finishes his paperwork and gets chewed out by the higher-ups.”
”Thanks for the help,” I said. “I mean, that ninja’s probably great at spying, but sneaking around? Not her thing, huh?”
”I’m glad you understand,” Hinagiku said. “But… why ‘ninja’?”
”Let’s just say I’ve seen some things.”
We chatted casually as we reached the Immigration Bureau. Inside, fully armed guards and a fuming clerk were waiting. They hauled the ninja off to a room that screamed “interrogation chamber.” She tried clinging to Hinagiku, begging her to come along, but she kicked her away, and the guards dragged her off.
”Master, save me-degozaru!” the ninja wailed.
”Hinagiku, she’s calling you,” I said.
”I’m not her master,” she snapped. “You are, Blacksmith-san.”
”Fed her when she was down and out, sure, but I’m not keeping her,” I shot back.
The ninja, back to her gozaru shtick, got led into the room. The door slammed shut with the kind of weight you’d hear in a detective anime before a commercial break.
”How long’s this gonna take? An hour?” I asked.
”Nah, one koku,” Hinagiku said. “Last time she escaped, it took two. They’ll wrap it up in half that.”
We passed the time chatting, with Calmys checking Fiero‘s condition. An hour went by, then another half, and soon two hours had passed.
”This is heading into another hour, isn’t it?” I groaned.
”Seriously, how bad is she at communicating?” Hinagiku muttered.
”Julon,” Calmys said, “I’ve gotta head back to my lord. Got prep for talks with the other side.”
”Sure thing,” I said. “Thanks.”
Hinagiku and I bet wrong on the timing, and now we had no clue how long this’d drag on. Calmys left to set up long-distance communication with the City Mayor and Acting Head of Family.
”…Julon,” Hinagiku started.
”So, figure out why I knew so much?” I asked.
”Yeah,” she said. “Including how you were digging into us for the young lady’s sake.”
Guess the Acting Head of Family spilled my name. I didn’t introduce myself back there, but the diplomatic folks probably passed it along.
”When’s that ninja’s interrogation record gonna wrap up?” I grumbled.
”We’re the ones stuck with the short straw here,” Hinagiku sighed.
We both let out a heavy sigh. If this communication drags into midnight, I’m done.
”Sorry, Julon-san, Hinagiku-san. May I have a word?” a tired-looking clerk called out.
Wait, her name’s Hinagiku? Good to know.
”What’s up?” I asked.
”It’s… we can’t get through to your friend,” the clerk said. “I hate to ask, but could you help interpret?”
”Interpret?” Hinagiku and I said in unison.
We’re all speaking the common tongue here—what’s there to interpret?
”She keeps saying things like ‘Katsudon Dase’ [T/N: Wants katsu don, a pork cutlet rice bowl] and ‘Bengoshi wo Yobe’ [T/N: Call a lawyer],” the clerk explained.
”That idiot!” Hinagiku roared.
After all that food she scarfed down, she’s still demanding katsudon? What’s wrong with this girl?
”J-Julon!” Hinagiku said, switching back to “Blacksmith-san.”
Oh, she’s pissed. Probably planning to let her boss tear into her.
”What’s up, Hinagiku?” I asked, pretending I didn’t hear her name earlier. Gotta set up the ninja as the odd one out.
”Sorry, but I need your help,” she said. “Please make this city’s people understand her.”
”We’re supposed to be speaking the same language,” I muttered.
In the interrogation room, the ninja was sprawled smugly, while the clerks’ faces twitched with visible veins. When she saw Hinagiku, her face lit up like she’d won something—until she slammed a fist into her head, dunking it onto the table.
”Reporting in,” I said to the clerk. “Here to assist as requested.”
”Oh…” The clerk gave me a knowing look.
Pretty sure he knows I’m in line for Chief Crafter. Bet he’s the one who told Hinagiku where my shop is.
”Ugh… why-degozaru?” the ninja groaned, clutching her head. “Aren’t we comrades from the same land?”
”We might be from the same place,” Hinagiku snapped, “but I did my paperwork properly. You skipped it and snuck in illegally.”
”Why’d you come to this city, anyway?” I asked.
”Mmph, Master!” the ninja whined. “Prying into a maiden’s secrets like that?!”
”I’m not your master,” I said. “You’ve been dodging for over two hours now. My housemates are probably back home, and I’d like to wrap this up.”
”But…!” she started.
”Enough,” I cut in. “You owe me 30,000 for all that food you ate on the shopping street. Pay up, or I’m calling your boss.”
”No, please, spare me the food bill!” she begged.
What’s with this girl? Scared more of a meal tab than her boss? Later, I heard her race has some weird belief that “getting billed for food you thought was free means you’re done as a woman.” What kind of nonsense is that?
With me and Hinagiku in the mix, the interrogation wrapped in 15 minutes. The ninja kept derailing, but her fists and my food-bill threats got it done. To the clerks—great work, seriously.
”Well, that’s that,” I said.
”Thank you-degozaru, Master!” the ninja chirped. “I didn’t think we’d finish the interrogation record so fast-degozaru!”
”That was mostly your fault for lacking focus,” I said. “And what’s with all the dialect outbursts?”
Dialect’s putting it nicely—it was more like a quote book. She pulled out everything: wild beast-senpai vibes, high-school martial artist lingo, you name it. Took up 13 of the 15 minutes. When she yelled “Rin-ah!” I couldn’t help but blurt, “Dirty! Classic ninja filth!” Yeah, I wasn’t much better.
”So, Blacksmith-san,” Hinagiku said. “What’s next?”
”Gotta take these two somewhere,” I said. “You’re coming along.”
”Oh! To the young lady’s place?” she asked.
”First, to the knight you fought,” I said. “Apologize properly to her, got it?”
”Ugh…” the ninja groaned.
”This foolish fox,” Hinagiku muttered.
I couldn’t help it—curses slipped out. If she’d just done her paperwork, none of this would’ve happened. Look, Hinagiku’s glaring daggers.
”By the way, Master,” the ninja said.
”Still not your master,” I said. “What about you, Hinagiku? I’d love to teach kids crafting someday,” I said, “but no plans yet.”
”Oh?” Hinagiku asked. “Got someone special?”
”Got a fiancée,” I replied. “We’re both still students, so we’re waiting till after graduation.”
”W-well, that’s…” Hinagiku stammered.
”Okay, this is starting to hurt-degozaru!” the ninja cut in.
Hinagiku shot her a complicated look. Probably wanted her name, but I wasn’t spilling yet. We kept the small talk going to distract her as we reached Central Administration. The sky was already darkening—Ethelena and the others were probably home by now. Wish I could’ve greeted them.
Calmys stood like a statue at the reception, radiating intimidation.
”Alright,” I said, “I’ve got business at reception, so you two follow that knight. And you, foolish fox, apologize properly to him, got it?”
”Ugh, that’s unfair-degozaru!” the ninja whined.
”Pay back the meal money or say sorry—pick one,” I said.
”I’ll apologize with all my heart!” she declared.
I’d figured out how to handle this girl since the interrogation. Hinagiku gave me an odd look as I headed to reception. Calmys moved to meet the two as I turned away to handle my business. I flashed my Student Identification Plate and mentioned I had matters with the Foreign Affairs Chief and City Mayor. The clerk nodded, understanding. He did a double-take at my name—guess my next Chief Crafter rep’s spreading. After graduation, I’ll get a Bracelet for ID, but does a Chief Crafter get something flashier?
Once I finished, I was led to a room with the City Mayor, Foreign Affairs Chief, Calmys, and the two youkai. Apparently, the ninja tried something during her apology to Calmys and earned a few knuckles from Hinagiku.
”Sorry for the wait,” I said. “Good work, City Mayor, Foreign Affairs Chief.”
”You always get tangled in weird trouble,” the City Mayor sighed, her glasses glinting with sympathy.
”Honestly,” the Foreign Affairs Chief sneered, “how long did you expect us to wait? They say in the far east, time is money—such sloppiness.”
The City Mayor, a sharp, nervous-looking woman, seemed younger than the gaunt, older Foreign Affairs Chief, who was laying into me. I felt bad, but come on—blame the foolish fox over there. If she’d cooperated, we’d have been done ages ago. Guess I’ll let the Acting Head of Family chew her out.
”Why on earth did they insist on your involvement?” the Foreign Affairs Chief muttered.
”If you’re serious,” I said, “I’m sorry, but you can leave right now.”
”It was sarcasm, obviously,” he snapped. “Youth these days can’t grasp humor.”
”If that was humor, you’ve got no skill talking to people,” I shot back. “Maybe step down before you start an international incident with your slip-ups.”
You wanna fight? I’ll fight. In the original story, this guy barely showed up, but wasn’t there a line about the previous Foreign Affairs Chief getting sacked for causing trouble before the story started? No way it’s this guy… right?
”Stop playing around and get ready,” the City Mayor said. “They’re taking you seriously.”
”Sure, I was the first contact, and I’ve been handling things,” I said, “but—”
”Your homeland’s talking about using you to build ties,” she said.
”What? Even with Ethelena around?” I asked.
”A person’s wishes don’t matter much against a country’s plans, unless it’s a rare case,” she said.
”If the country tells me to betray Ethelena, I’m out,” I said. “I’ll leave.”
”I told you before,” she said, “I’d stop you, even if I had to drag Calmys along.”
Her words hit hard. My homeland’s putting a lot of weight on me. Did the Alchemist’s Egg tip the scales? If they figured out what it does, my value just shot up. Crap, I messed up.
”Kids these days,” the Foreign Affairs Chief scoffed.
”Calling yourself an old geezer who can’t keep up with a kid’s inventions?” I fired back. “That’s some wild self-burn. Keep that creepy vibe outside, yeah?”
”What did you say?” he growled.
”Oops, my bad—spoke my mind,” I said.
He was pissing me off, and it slipped out. He glared, veins popping. I’d screwed up.
”Some upstart kid with a few newfangled tricks thinks she’s hot stuff,” he sneered.
”A few tricks?” I said. “The city’s centuries-old crafters can’t replicate my work. Too busy looking outward to notice your own backyard’s a mess? No wonder foreign trade’s tanking.”
”You little—” he started.
”Oh, hit a nerve?” I said. “Spending taxpayer funds drinking with diplomats and calling it ‘diplomacy’? Give me a break.”
”Watch your mouth,” he snapped.
”You’re standing tall as a privileged suit because of the people in this city,” I said. “Forget that, act all high and mighty, and you’re wrecking what this place stands for. If your ego makes the homeland question our autonomy, what’s your plan?”
Some old warlord once said, “People are the walls, people are the castle.” No foundation, no nation. Ignore that, and it’s game over. It’s in every Whirlwind textbook. How does this grown-ass man forget that?
”A wannabe Chief Crafter acting so high and mighty,” he sneered.
”In a city built on crafting, you’d better not diss crafters,” I said. “If we boycott and cut supply, the economy tanks. You gonna take responsibility for that?”
By the way, I fund my research with tenant fees, not taxpayer money, and I give back to the city. The vigilantes use my Sticky Launcher and Torimochi Ball—ring a bell, Chief?
”Chief Crafter, that’s enough,” the City Mayor said.
The air was getting toxic, so she stepped in. Fair enough—my mouth got pretty nasty.
”Got it, City Mayor,” I said.
”Hmph, kid,” the Foreign Affairs Chief muttered.
”Foreign Affairs Chief,” the City Mayor warned, “your comments are out of line. If you risk upsetting the Acting Head of Family of Torakuma [T/N: Clan name, implies bear-like strength], I’ll have you leave.”
The second he thought I was the only one getting scolded, he got cocky. Come on, man, read the room—you’re an adult.
”What authority do you have to order me, the head of diplomacy?” he demanded.
”The authority of the city’s leader,” she replied. “Any complaints?”
The Chief Crafter and other heads are just advisors to the City Mayor. The emperor holds ultimate power in the homeland, but here, the City Mayor’s top dog. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be called the city’s leader. Foreign Affairs Chief, you getting cocky because she usually stays hands-off?
Let’s be real—when it comes to diplomacy in this city, the City Mayor’s the one with the real power. The original story hinted she’s from some big-shot noble family in the homeland. When war was brewing, she was the one pulling strings with other nations. Allies and leaders jumped on board because of her words. Her connections probably outshine even Calmys, who’s a saint of some massive global sect. A City Mayor out-networking a war god’s saint? What is she?
Seeing the Foreign Affairs Chief shut up felt good, but I couldn’t get cocky—I’d be the next one scolded. I’m here partly to check on Yohira, too, so I’d better stay sharp.
”Hey, City Mayor…” I whispered.
”What’s with the hushed tone?” she asked.
”It’s about Yohira… the Torakuma [T/N: Clan name, implies bear-like strength] princess,” I said. “She’s way eager to jump into that incident. If she spots a knight-in-training, she might go full berserk. How do we report this?”
”Please don’t pile on more headaches,” the City Mayor sighed, rubbing her temples.
Yeah, Yohira’s a beast in a fight, but if some scheme got her caught, it’d spark a diplomatic mess. Dragging her into a civil conflict? That’s a huge problem. I’d love for her to slot in Sex Sorcery to boost resistance, but I just hit level 30, and leveling up again feels like a pipe dream. No clue about her skill setup either—swapping for Sex Sorcery might weaken her overall if she’s already maxed out something else.
”Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.
”You should,” the City Mayor replied. “You just want her safe, don’t you? Unlike Ethelena, who you’re dragging along.”
”Ethelena and I are ride-or-die,” I said. “We can’t live without each other. Yohira’s different.”
Thinking about that confession still stings. But that’s why I want her to stay alive. I’d only make her miserable, but somewhere else, she could be happy. Wishful thinking, I know.
”Fine, you start the talk,” the City Mayor said.
”Got it,” I replied. “Also, set up a meeting later with the Torakuma princess and the Acting Head of Family.”
”Obviously,” she said, standing tall and confident.
Man, she’s reliable. Can I really follow in her footsteps as Chief Crafter? Gotta keep grinding.
Me, the City Mayor, Calmys, the two youkai, and the bonus Foreign Affairs Chief gathered in the meeting room, facing a massive mirror-like device. Same as before, the burly figure of the Acting Head of Family appeared on it.
”Well, young blacksmith!” the Acting Head boomed. “Been a while. How’s my daughter faring?”
”Good to see you, Acting Head,” I said. “Your daughter’s doing fine. We got her some local clothes for cultural exchange, but she’s still homesick for her homeland’s style.”
”Hm, embracing foreign culture, eh?” he said.
”She had some trouble eating, though,” I added, “so I crafted her some chopsticks. Familiar tools make a difference, right?”
”Thoughtful!” he said. “Much appreciated.”
”They’re just simple wood—no lacquer or anything fancy—but they’re functional,” I said.
”No matter,” he said. “If they suit her, that’s enough for Torakuma’s standards.”
”Uh, excuse me…” Ichige interrupted.
Right on cue, I thought.
”Why’s the Master talking about Ojou-sama with the Acting Head?” Ichige asked, wide-eyed.
”Why? Because I’m the one sheltering Torakuma Yohira at my place,” I said.
”Hyoooeee!?” Ichige shrieked.
”As expected,” Hinagiku muttered, nodding.
Ichige’s bizarre scream echoed, while Hinagiku just seemed to get it.
”Anyway,” I said, “you cut into my chat with the Acting Head. Time to report, yeah?”
”H-Hold on-degozaru!” Ichige pleaded.
”Who’s holding anything?” I snapped. “You made us wait forever, foolish fox!”
Ichige clung to me, and the Acting Head slapped a hand to his forehead. Yup, this girl pulls this crap all the time, huh?
”You dodged Immigration Bureau paperwork, leaving Hinagiku waiting three days and nights!” I said. “Then you collapsed in the street! Lucky I ran into you and helped, but if it was someone else, you could’ve been dragged off to who-knows-where, never to be seen again!”
”Kyuuun!?” Ichige yelped.
”You’re too pretty, you know!” I said. “You could’ve been some creep’s target. Once something happens, it’s too late!”
”…Fweh?” Ichige blinked.
”Oh, Ojou-sama got caught up in a place like that, didn’t she?” Hinagiku muttered.
I barely caught Hinagiku’s whisper—my words must’ve hit a nerve. Ichige looked stunned.
”And then,” I continued, “you drag me and Hinagiku to the Immigration Bureau, wasting two hours! Think before you act, girl!”
”Praised one second, bashed the next!” Ichige whined. “My emotions can’t keep up-degozaru!”
Her face was red, but I ignored her and turned back to the screen. The Acting Head had a massive vein throbbing on his forehead.
”Ichige!” the Acting Head roared. “I told you to behave, and this is what you do!?”
”Kyuuun!?” Ichige squeaked.
Yup, Ichige’s her name. Good thing I didn’t have to call her Gozaru. Hinagiku seemed puzzled by my outburst, probably wondering why I didn’t report pointing a blade at the guy protecting their target. Fair suspicion.
”It’s all Hinagiku’s fault-degozaru!” Ichige blurted. “I can’t handle paperwork alone-degozaru!”
”Don’t make excuses, foolish fox!” Hinagiku snapped.
”You went against orders to join the escort in the first place!” the Acting Head bellowed.
This lecture’s gonna drag on.
Notes:
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
• Hinagiku – Karasu Tengu warrior appearing during Julon’s test battle. Fights him under Acting Head’s orders to gauge his skill. Later assists in arresting Ichige. Serves Torakuma clan. Allies with Julon. Fastest Tengu, proud but fair.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
• Ichige – Fox youkai ninja who sneaks into the city illegally. Captured after Hinagiku and Julon subdue her during an immigration clash caused by her infiltration. Serves Torakuma clan but disobeys orders. Calls Julon “Master.” Clumsy and childish.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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