Chapter 201: A Voice Calling Longdagger 1
*
I would clean up the town where Erika was going to stay.
Having decided that, I made full use of the special skill I’d learned cleaning up after my friend Jen in Faltar—how to find criminal organizations—and went on a rampage attacking the ones based in the town of Loakum.
My friend Jen—Jenniferlin Pantile, a noble and a genius merchant—was constantly getting into trouble with criminal organizations.
Since I hung out with Jen, or rather, was dragged around by her, I got caught up in that trouble countless times, and it put me through the wringer every time.
It was rare for me to handle the direct combat, but thanks to that, I became quite good at finding those kinds of people.
Using one of my few special skills, I relentlessly tied up the unconscious members of the criminal organizations. By the time my stock of rope made from Needle Spider Thread ran out, I regrouped with Erika and the others, ate dinner, and then passed out asleep in the inn.
It wasn’t because I was tired from fighting, but tired from holding back.
If I were counterattacking after being attacked, that would be one thing, but attacking them first and killing them seemed a bit too Barbarian, so I did my best to restrain myself.
Fighting humans really is difficult. It’s almost easier dealing with Monsters, where you can just go all out without thinking.
Actually, lately, it feels less like “just go all out” and more like “just fight for my life” all the time.
“Am I getting worse at holding back?”
I couldn’t help but murmur as I gazed at my right hand.
Erika, wearing her Mask, peered over from the side. “Is something wrong?” she asked. Amazing, I can tell she’s beautiful just from her demeanor, even with the Mask on.
I just shook my head in response, telling her it was nothing, and shifted my focus.
We were about to meet up with the person we were guarding. The real work was just beginning.
We passed through a lavish door that screamed “ultra-high-class inn” just by looking at it and headed towards the inn’s reception desk.
When I handed over the letter entrusted to me by the Margrave at the counter, I decided to pretend I didn’t see the strained smile on the innkeeper’s face.
I had taken off my Mask to speak with the receptionist.
But with three out of the five people besides myself and Maricia wearing white Masks in the middle of town, we should probably just be grateful the inn didn’t call the Knights Order the moment we stepped inside.
Even after reading the documents from the Margrave, there was still a hint of suspicion in the way the staff looked at us, but I ignored it.
More accurately, I stopped caring.
The inn staff member—a middle-aged man—said this:
“We have a message for you from Jenniferlin-sama.”
Jenniferlin Pantile.
The eldest daughter of a baronial family in the Faltar Kingdom. Among the Pantiles, a clan renowned as geniuses of both commerce and extravagance, she was called the once-in-a-century Pantile, the Pantile amongst Pantiles.
She wore notoriety and ill repute like accessories, found paths to victory in impossible situations with a simple “Isn’t that more interesting?”, and was my friend who had a bit of a soft spot for grandparents.
Hearing her message from the inn employee, I was stunned by the utter unexpectedness of it all. I stood there dumbfounded for a moment, then took two deep breaths, rubbed the bridge of my nose, and turned around.
Erika, Shara, and Drim were wearing their Masks again today, perhaps having taken a liking to them.
And Maricia, true to her declaration that she would absolutely not wear one, was giving me a dubious look.
I spoke to the four of them.
“Sorry, let me apologize in advance. I’m truly sorry.”
As they all tilted their heads in unison, I continued.
“Anything could happen from here on out. Brace yourselves.”
*
Jenniferlin Pantile was feeling utterly refreshed.
The information network into the Orclaugh Kingdom, which she had built “incidentally” while searching for Shin, was functioning splendidly, informing her that a major business opportunity had arisen in Hecate.
It was実に都合が良かった (remarkably convenient).
She could meet Shin “incidentally” while making money. Considering the funds she was spending to do so, it was a net loss, but well, one shouldn’t worry about such things.
Extravagance was the pride of the Pantiles.
Pantiles enrich the world and build their wealth upon it.
Trying to make one’s own mountain of wealth look taller by digging deep around it? Unworthy of even being called a merchant.
Jenniferlin Pantile—Jen—nodded to herself again and again as she gazed out at the surrounding scenery from the Fortress wall.
The morning air was crisp, and each cold breath she drew into her lungs seemed to sharpen her mind.
“Young Lady.”
Therefore, Jen wasn’t startled by the voice of her attendant calling from behind—though she hadn’t noticed her approach at all.
She’d thought her mind felt sharpened, but it seemed it was merely like it was sharpened. Lately, her attendant, Chako Candelight’s, ability to erase her presence had become extraordinary.
As expected of the granddaughter of the skilled Assassin known as Dot Shadow, perhaps.
“What is it?”
Jenniferlin turned around without showing even a hint that she hadn’t noticed Chako’s presence.
Chako, dressed less in traveling clothes and more like an adventurer, was looking at her with a troubled expression.
What could it be? Jen tilted her head.
“I understand you’re looking forward to meeting Longdagger-sama soon, but…”
Oops, had she been grinning?
Jenniferlin instinctively touched her face as if to check.
Her attendant’s expression didn’t change.
“As your loyal attendant, I must ask that you please move your person just a little further inside the Citadel walls.”
Jenniferlin almost made a face that said, “Oh, is that all?” but hastily retracted it.
Unlike Shin, who would forgive her with a wry smile, Chako would get angry.
Jenniferlin leaned over the wall and checked below.
Hmm, nothing had changed.
“Nothing has changed, has it?”
“And that’s precisely the problem, isn’t it?”
Jen shrugged at her attendant’s gaze, which clearly said, What are you talking about?
“We just happened to get surrounded by a horde of Monsters at the Fortress we stopped by to earn a little pocket money while waiting for Shin, that’s all.”
Her attendant’s eyebrows shot up at a sharp angle.
“I believe that constitutes a major problem, does it not?”
Hahaha, Chako, it’s still too early to get angry, you know?
“My friend will sort it out when he arrives.”
That’s why I entrusted him with the letter for times like this, after all.
Chako’s sharply angled eyebrows rapidly lowered.
What’s with that face?
“If you keep relying on him so much, he might start to dislike you, you know?”
At Chako’s words, Jenniferlin nearly fell off the Citadel wall.
*** Author’s Afterword ***
Thank you always for the likes, comments, stars, etc.
They serve as the author’s motivation.
This time, as foreshadowed, Jenniferlin makes her appearance.
Yes! It’s Jenniferlin!
Finally mixing in the Pantile!
Is the Margrave okay!? Is the Orclaugh Kingdom okay!?
And above all, is this novel okay!?