Chapter 50 (1/2)

Translator(s): DC, s.h.i.+mizuA    Editor(s): Nixie    Proofreader(s): DC    TLC(s): Yomigaeru

Brought in Requests

”Hey, Mary. Say 'Ah'.”

”Ah-”

A small spoon with well-chilled pudding was placed into Mary's mouth. There was a cool, soft sensation that spread out over her tongue, the sweetness of the cream, and the aroma of vanilla blending in. Immediately following her swallowing it, a soft, bewitching smile surfaced on Mary's face, and s.h.i.+zuru began to smile too.

”Is it delicious?”

”mhm”

Nodding greatly, Mary nestled closely to s.h.i.+zuru. Gently stroking her head, s.h.i.+zuru closed his eyes in bliss.

And then, the two's motionless figures were captured in someone's gaze. There was a person with black tea in hand; a hooded figure from which their eyes barely peeked out from the underside.

”…… Kihihi. I had heard about a story of an orphan being picked up. Their appearance seems pretty familiar.”

They had a strange, hard-to-discern voice. It was awfully coa.r.s.e, yet, at the same time it was somewhat glossy.

They concealed their rust-colored eyes behind a hood, emitting a radiance that shone through the dark underside. However, looking at their fingers from the hand holding the cup, one could speculate that it was likely a young woman.

――Her name was Sam.

She was an information broker that was extensively known at Rosary on the other side of the royal capital.

It would be more accurate to call them ”girls” than”girl”. Sam had over a dozen people working at general information shops that covered the entire royal capital; it was clear that there was no single person who belonged to the alias.

”If a murderer who effortlessly evaded the garrison's guards were to be connected to 'ya, wouldn't that look bad for ya? Kihii.”

Sam observed s.h.i.+zuru rubbing Mary just like a kitten and laughed, causing her shoulders to tremble. s.h.i.+zuru wryly smiled, but did not oppose the background story that she recited.

”… Your ears are as sharp as always, Sam. I didn't ask you to search for it since it would be too pricey, but maybe I should pay it from my pocket.”

”Kihihihihi! No no, unfortunately, it was only a few days ago we found out Chopper's ident.i.ty! I just happened to have found it out when 'ya were searching for a suitable subst.i.tute to sway the garrison and royal knight order, 'ya know?”

s.h.i.+zuru's wry laugh grew more intense as she pleasantly spun more words.

――After he drew Mary into Black Maria, in order to unravel the Imperial Knight's Order's alert in the eastern district, he began to tailor someone to be a suitable subst.i.tute for the Chopper. It's not that he hadn't thought of other methods, but he was ordered by Richelieu to do so. If she ordered something, he could not disobey.

The pitiable subst.i.tute lost his sanity due to drugs, he also took a series of cloak and dagger measures so as to be untraceable. Apparently, however, the other party's information shops were seemingly skillful.

After sighing once, s.h.i.+zuru retrieved one gold coin from his pouch. And then, he faced towards Sam and flicked it with his fingers.

”Here, some hush money. Please stay earnestly confidential.”

”Aye-aye, I'll comply. We, all of us, everyone and anyone, will not reveal that the true ident.i.ty of the Chopper is this adorable little lady…… Kihihihii!”