Volume 2 Chapter 57 Return, East End
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Christy, should I call out?”
”I’m hungry.”
”Got it. Let’s sneak past quietly.”
”Yeah.”
They passed in front of the shop, blending in with the crowd.
Waterman and his subordinates were unaware, binding the captured Azraelian tightly with ropes.
”We will interrogate them in the open market! Gather as many foreigners in the market as possible! Right now!”
”――――.”
Kian turned his head back and looked at the kneeling Azraelian.
All those captured looked shabby, clearly refugees from their homeland.
Their faces seemed to show humiliation and anger.
Waterman paid no mind, pulling them up and taking them to the open market.
* * *
The tavern ‘The Boar’s Trot Inn’ was just as usual today.
Around noon, it was just the right time for the bread to finish baking.
In the kitchen, preparations for the busy night service were nearly complete.
In the hall, several customers enjoyed drinks and card games, filled with low laughter and the lethargic atmosphere of the staff.
As Kian entered through the doorway, he locked eyes with the freckled girl waitress, Moimoi, who stood by the wall waiting for calls from customers.
”Oh? Isn’t that Kian! Long time no see!”
”It’s been a while, Ms. Moimoi. Where’s Esther?”
”She’s in the kitchen. Should I call her?”
”Please, that would be great.”
”No problem! By the way, is that lady over there the one who came to pick up Kian before?”
Christy became slightly suspicious when the little waitress directed the conversation to her.
”Yes, that’s right… What about it?”
”Hmm? Just wondering if you two are dating.”
”――――!? I’m not dating him! I’m just his monitor.”
”Huh? Hey, Kian. Cheating is not allowed, okay? Esther and Melissa will cry.”
”Hahaha.”
”…What, Kian is popular with the tavern girls?”
Suddenly, Christy’s voice got lower.
Wrinkles formed between her thick, thin eyebrows.
Moimoi laughed with her hands behind her head, saying “Nahaa!”
”Super popular! After all, he’s the lifesaver of the shop owner here, and he’s a good guy. I want him to marry me too!”
”Come back in 5 years.”
”Kian is so cold…”
Moimoi, slightly losing her momentum, returned to the kitchen.
A loud voice calling for Esther echoed.
After a while, Esther rushed out.
”Mr. Kian!”
”Hello, Esther.”
”Hello! Are you finally back!?”
”No, I plan to return to the fortress after I finish my errands.”
Kian said this while glancing at Christy.
Esther’s face turned disappointed as she looked at the black-haired witch with a staff.
She must have realized that Christy was following Kian to reclaim him.
”Are you busy with work?”
”Yeah, actually, there’s a ceremony for the Knights of the Sun at the fortress soon. Do you know about it?”
”No… I’m sorry.”
”No need to apologize. It’s hard for information about the fortress ceremonies to reach here. I was assigned to be a guard at that ceremony.”
”Is that so! Congratulations! So, you won’t be able to come back to East End until that’s over.”
”That’s right. It should be done in about ten days, so I think I’ll come back after receiving my reward.”
”I see… Um, Mr. Kian. Actually, I’m worried. There have been murders at the shop on central street, and the knights at the fortress have been cracking down on foreigners since this morning… I was worried the whole time you were away that you might get caught up in something dangerous.”
”I’m an exception, so I’m fine.”
”Really?”
Esther’s eyes glistened as she glanced upward at him.
Kian started to say, “Yeah,” but then felt a sudden tug on his sleeve from behind.
He knew exactly who it was but pretended not to notice, hoping to delay the inevitable.
It was the only choice he had.
(This is bad… I need to change the subject before the two-timing gets exposed. Let’s get to the main point immediately.)
”Actually, the reason I came here today is to complete the Quest you gave me. Esther, let me introduce someone. This is Ms. Christina Famille. She serves as Head Magician under Her Excellency Maribel at the fortress.”
”Eh…? W-Wait, under Her Excellency Maribel…!?”
”Hello!”
With a dazzling, radiant smile, Christy shoved Kian aside and stepped forward to face Esther.
”A pleasure to meet you. I am Christina Famille. And you must be Ms. Esther, correct?”
”Ah, yes…”
Esther stared at the witch’s stunning beauty, her generously proportioned blouse, and her long, slender figure evident even through the flowing skirt.
Her face dropped into an unmistakable expression of despair.
She shot furtive, accusatory glances at Kian from Christy’s side.
In short, it felt like sitting on a bed of nails.
”I am guarding Kian on the orders of His Excellency’s Steward, Sir McCutchen. I’ve been entrusted with Kian’s protection, and I’m fully responsible for his care. So, you needn’t worry.”
”…I-I see. Please take good care of Mr. Kian for me.”
”Hehehe.”
”────”
Christy looked down at Esther without making any attempt to hide her hostility.
Meanwhile, Esther kept stealing glances at Kian as if she wanted to ask him something.
(This feels like a no-win scenario. But if I can’t survive this, there’s no future for me.)
”Christy, could you bring the swimsuit?”
”Fine. But only because you asked, Kian. I’m lending it to you begrudgingly, okay?”
”The swimsuit──oh, the one I requested from the academy in the royal capital!”
”That’s right. Don’t tell me you forgot?”
When Kian asked with a wry smile, Esther shook her head.
”No, I remembered, but I never thought I’d get it so soon. Ms. Serena was also searching for it at the street stalls, but she kept saying she couldn’t find it anywhere.”
”It’s a good thing Christy was a former student of the academy. I was only able to clear the Quest thanks to her. Esther, you should thank her.”
”Ah, yes. Ms. Christina, thank you so much!”
Esther bowed her head politely, but Christy looked somewhat embarrassed.
Esther asked, “May I open the paper bag?”
”Yes, of course.”
”Thank you. …Wow, it’s blue! So smooth! This is the swimsuit from the royal capital’s academy!”
”I might’ve mentioned it before, but Esther is skilled at sewing. She even designed the uniforms for the waitstaff at this tavern.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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