Chapter 31 (1/2)

Translator(s): s.h.i.+mizuA    Editor(s): Yuzuha    Proofreader(s): Merp-Merp, Pirate11

Note: An early chapter! Yay! Finally ahead of the schedule! Let’s hope that we can keep it. Also, say hi to our new proofreader, Pirate11! (clap-clap)

Enjoy the chap~~

White Night Bell

Ring

The bell sounds echoed in the back alleys late at night.

8th day of Chopper Search, White Day. The bell on his bag chimed as s.h.i.+zuru went walking at the night, illuminated by the moon that was tainted in white.

Once a week ―― in the eight days where the light attribute was amplified, the night was still bright. s.h.i.+zuru slowly stepped forward as if he was used to walking down this street for a very long time.

There wasn't any other shadow, sound or presence around. Even the wind was not blowing, it was a silent night.

” …… Baiting the beast by myself…… Somehow, just like I thought it was way too simple……” s.h.i.+zuru murmured while gazing at the moon that was floating in the sky.

Last night he proposed to set up a trap. In layman's terms, it was a [Decoy operation].

They weren't avoiding the public eye while searching for the murderous presence, as opposed to the tactic before . They tried to expose themselves, even adding a bell chime as if to say 'I'm here'. All in hopes that the culprit would find and attack them.

Honestly, s.h.i.+zuru thought that this was not something that could be called a plan. Because this was only at the level that even children could think of.

But it can't be helped. They have too few clues and little information, so they no longer had any options. Therefore, if you couldn't find him, let him find you. At this point, he couldn't change their approach anymore. His inner-self was laughing when he thought  about how bad the plan was. s.h.i.+zuru let out a little sigh while casually continuing to walk down the alley.

―― While continuing his steps he thought about something.

The Chopper, like a phantom killer, managed to accomplish committing crimes every 2 to 3 days without getting caught by the guards or the Imperial Knights. s.h.i.+zuru shook it off; there was no point thinking about the reason. Because, It would probably be a reason that couldn't be understood by other people.

Therefore s.h.i.+zuru tried to consider Chopper's thought routine. In short his personality, nature and so on. It was only an estimate formed by circ.u.mstantial evidence and rumours; that being said it was still better than nothing.

Killing where n.o.body else could see. Well it's entirely possible that the witnesses were also killed. In other words, he didn't want his ident.i.ty to be known. On top of that, he frequently killed without discrimination.

”Careful, cowardly …… or a very distinctive appearance? If it was like that, he can't just go killing without reason…… But he was indiscriminate and left the victim's belongings……”

His purpose wasn't robbery. He didn't choose his victims, nor did he take their belongings, and although he was careful enough to keep his ident.i.ty well hidden, his killing frequency was still high.

” …… Is the goal itself to kill?”

As an example, Ludmilla was the type who held revenge for the n.o.bles in her heart, and killing was her means to do that. Although it was completely possible, the probability was low.

If he was the type who kills to fulfill his desire like Elizabeth, it was somewhat plausible. Kill because he simply wanted to, or kill to obtain something else. For the latter, was it a physical object, or something spiritual? As expected, his motive was still unclear. It was no use thinking about it seriously, since all of this was only an estimation.

”But, if that was true, it will be hard to negotiate……”

Either way, both types were hard to talk to. At Elizabeth's first encounter with Richelieu, he heard that she went for the kill without letting her say anything.