Chapter 127 Afternoon Summer Breeze
"Okay, got it. I'll deliver it to Lady Sara from Helmel by today."
"Yeah, relyin' on ya."
"Thank you! We look forward to serving you again."
"...Alright, that's all for this punk's stuff."
I ducked through the delivery door of the Western Country, wiping my forehead like I just finished a job. The blazing summer sun made it feel like I was about to start sweating buckets. If I chugged a cold beer right now, I'd definitely be joining the ranks of middle-aged guys.
"You really spoil your sister, huh?"
"What's wrong wit' that? She's my little sister, I take care of her."
"That's so not like you. It feels kinda shady."
The one cooling me off was Shura, giving me a cold stare.
"Shady? You followed me here 'cause Quollio told you to, ain't that right?"
"I'm just tagging along because Quollio asked me to, not for you."
"Ugh. That guys always playin' by his own rules, always thinkin' he's above the law."
"He just went to the usual library. Well, with you holding a bouquet, it's no wonder people are staring."
"Mind ya own biz, Shura"
Why do I have to hear all this just for delivering a bunch of flowers my sister asked for? I mean, I thought it'd be a bit tough for a guy to go to a flower shop alone, so I dragged Quollio along.
Well, I did sneak away right after buying the flowers. I ran into Shura on the way to the delivery place and smiled, saying, "I'll leave the rest to you."
Seriously, everyone's so cold. I'm just a good brother spending my vacation for my sister, can't they just let it slide?
(Doesn't that just make your sister complex sound even shadier?)
(Dat comment's straight trash, Ms. Ruthless )
I could just make them all drink Lyam's nail clippings.
"So, are you training again after this?"
"...Like I had a choice, stuck in that dank ass cell."
"At this rate, you'll really turn into a muscle head."
"Hah, I was rotting in the Punishment Room for months. Now I'm all stiff and rusty."
Stretching my body like I'm finally free, it's been almost a month since the Joosa incident. But here I am, stuck in this damp Punishment Room for more than half of Virgo month (August).
"Well, I did this to myself. I went haywire and decked a civvie."
"You were threatening the town mayor with a sword, weren't you?"
"Whatever, Captain Shidou's just tryin' to keep me in line. So me and Captain Shidou aren't breaking any military rules."
"Tch, acting all high and mighty."
"...You know why I'm really here, right? Don't pretend you don't."
"...Hmph."
(Ah no, it seems everyone found out about lettin' that woman escape.)
(So this punishment is for not asking the truth. Is it kind or harsh?)
But for Captain Shidou, known as a 'clean officer,' just turning a blind eye is probably a kindness. It's like paying a toll for being selfish.
"Anyway, I'ma make sure to live it up on this vacation, no holdin' back."
"You're so carefree. There's been talk of a serial attacker in the Western Country lately."
"A serial attacker?"
"Yeah. Just 2 days ago, a nobleman was killed in an alley while he was out in the busy town."
Shura's serious tone makes me frown at the grim news. They say the knights are corrupt, but in the Western Country, deaths are rare, so it's surprising to hear this. Despite the seriousness, my curiosity is piqued.
"A noble... was it a robbery gone wrong?"
"No, it wasn't. Apparently, the jewelry and his thick wallet were still on him. But he had a big knife wound on his back."
"...This dude was playin' for keeps, then."
"Right. If it was a power struggle, they would have made it look like a robbery. But there was none of that. That's why they're calling it a serial attack."
I see, if it was a sneaky person, they wouldn't skip the cover-up. Still, a serial attacker? No wonder it feels like there are fewer people around today.
"Hmm. Think the cap'n gave us a three-day breather 'cause of some kinda motive?"
"You're surprisingly sharp today. Captain Shidou used to be a patrol chief, so maybe he was asked to guide or help the current patrol captain?"
"Patrol team suckin' that bad they need a has-been comin' back? Maybe."
"Who knows. The one who got killed was a noble, so his family probably made a fuss. They won't stay quiet if it happens to them next."
"...Looks like the cap drew the short straw, yeah?"
"Isn't it better than being messed around by troublemakers?"
"Shaddup!"
I wanted to snap back at Shura, who was peeking in and grinning, but honestly, I couldn't say anything since I've been a hassle for Captain Shidou.
I clicked my tongue and walked aimlessly, and even Ruthless in ring form clicked her tongue at me.
(Hmm, she's like a nagging sister. Hey, Master, this girl really has a bad personality. Shouldn't we change how we deal with her?)
(Well, Ruthless is just as messed up. Shura's tough to deal with, ain't no denyin'. Maybe it's 'cause ya're all bitter 'bout gettin' beat in that dream.)
(Who says I'm the same as this foul-mouthed, nasty woman?!)
With a shout that felt like it would burst my eardrums, a headache hit me hard. I knew I said something unnecessary, but honestly, both my mouth and personality are equally bad. Yeah.
(Wassup wit' dat? Ruthless gotta hate Shura 'cause she got schooled by her in a dream, right?)
(Huh? I didn't lose! I'm alive! I'm not dead, so I didn't lose!)
(Yeah, ya got a point, though.)
It must be true. Ruthless holds grudges. The dream was fragmented, but she probably couldn't compete with Shura.
I never expected the mystery I had been wondering about to be revealed like this. What a surprising connection... Just as I was feeling a bit down about it.
"Hey!"
"Huh?"
"What's up?"
I stopped in my tracks when I heard a familiar voice.
"Hey! Aren't you the knights from Reginleif?"
"Oh. It's you..."
Marcus Millio.
The main actor from that Wagner theater group was waving with a shiny smile from the street corner.
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