Chapter 183
“Alright . You people, you’re next . ”
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A guard with a very laid-back air came to stand in front of the carriage .
“A stagecoach, eh? Ohhh, what a lot of ruffians you all are!”
“Hahaha . We were attacked by bandits…”
“Truly? Ah, well, of course, you were! But that would mean our security is quite worthless then…I don’t think I can apologize enough!”
He didn’t seem to take it seriously at all… In fact, I had to assume that a lot of damage had been done until we took care of them .
“Still, it was the lot of you who killed them then? In that case, you must all come with me to the guardhouse, as there will be a reward . ”
“Now wait a minute here . I didn’t participate in the fight . Besides, I am in a hurry . Let us through!”
The merchantman with the bag jumped out of the carriage in order to protest . Indeed, he had not fought at all .
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry! But you know, we would also like to hear the opinions of passengers who did not fight!”
“Then you can ask these other two . They didn’t fight either . ”
“Yes, yes . But I think it would be preferable to hear from everyone . I’m terribly sorry and all that . But you must understand! I’m begging you!”
The guard lowered his head to such a degree that I thought it would touch the ground . He was also pleading very loudly, which drew the attention of others . That was probably his intention from the beginning . The merchantman now found it difficult to refuse, and he very begrudgingly muttered, ‘I suppose that I have no choice…’
“Splendid! You all have my deepest gratitude! Now, driver . Please come this way!”
“Very well . ”
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The driver did not seem to mind, and so he drove the carriage towards the guardhouse . The other passengers also showed no signs of objecting and remained quiet . Of course, Daniela and I also had no reason to refuse .
As the questioning would be conducted in separate rooms, I had to wait a while before a guard called my name and led me away .
When I entered the room, the same guard we met at the gate was waiting there .
“Oh, sorry to keep you waiting . ”
“Not at all . So, what am I supposed to tell you?”
I sat down on the chair and stared at him . He had seemed very easy going at first, but I now felt that it was part of some act . He had smoothly manipulated us all into coming here, after all… Maybe he was a brilliant guard with a knack for acting .
“Well, to begin with, you can tell me of this situation that led to hunting the bandits . ”
“Alright . ”
And so I thought back on what had happened as I began to talk . I was sleeping in the carriage when Daniela had woken me up . We realized then that we were surrounded by forty bandits . Also, Miss Tetra and I killed about half of them .
“Hmm…I see . Yes, thank you for your detailed account . ”
The guard’s voice seemed to change as he muttered to himself while I recounted the story . I was pretty sure that it was the real person starting to show and I couldn’t help but chuckle .
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“Hmm? What is it?”
“You seem to have returned to normal . ”
“…Ah…”
He looked horrified for a moment before scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, knowing that there was no undoing it .
“Well, this is very humiliating . But you know, when dealing with such blood-drenched ruffians, it is better to talk in such a way…”
“I kind of thought so . I realized it when I sat down in front of you . ”
“Hmph… You do have a good eye . ”
He seemed impressed and now smiled .
“Well, I’ve seen a lot…or maybe I just think that I have . ”
“Hehehe . You are an odd one . I am glad that the bandits didn’t kill you . Now, this interview is over . ”
So saying, he began to gather his papers .
“Thank you very much, Mister Asagi . I have already scanned your status card, so you can continue on your way in the town . And since you are an Adventurer, the reward money will be sent to you through the guild, so please confirm it when you have the time . ”
“Yes, thank you . I’m glad to have been of service . ”
We shook hands and it was over . The guard stood up first and opened the door for me .
“I still have much to do, but I’m sure you know your way out . Oh, by the way, I am Inspector Rami, of the guards of Yukka . Thank you so much for everything that you have done . ”
“Uh, it’s nothing, really . ”
“I’m glad to hear it . Welcome to the deep green town of Yukka . I hope that you enjoy your stay!”
He gave a well-disciplined salute which was quite effective in dispelling the last remnants of his foolish character . It was impressive acting . Though, there had been something endearing about the old guy . In any case, you could do much worse for a first encounter in a new town .
I returned to the room where the others were waiting . Everyone would be splitting up at this point, and so I took Daniela and left .
“A lot happened, but I’m glad we all arrived safely . If fate permits it, we may just meet again . So do call us if you happen to see us . ”
I said at the door . The other passengers waved back and were surprisingly friendly . Now that I think about it, I had boarded, been misunderstood, slept, and then woke up and fought . There hadn’t been much talking, but I guess my good deeds of the day had shown through .
Even the beastfolk girl waved at me awkwardly . I was quite happy about that .
We left the guardhouse and walked through the town . Still, my appearance was…well, it was simply the worst . I was drenched in blood . And I couldn’t use that ‘Cleaning’ spell . And there wasn’t any place I could get changed .
“Let’s find an inn as soon as possible…”
“Yes . We must do something about your appearance . It is completely horrible; unlike me . ”
I would have used a bow if I could…
In any case, this was no time to wander around in search of a place, and so we decided to ask the good-natured residents about such establishments, all the while scaring the hell out of them . Our only real requirement was that we be able to wash clothes, but their teeth chattered so much that it was hard to understand them .
“Asagi, it is no good . You should hide over there . Leave this to me . ”
“Are you sure? You’re going to go and talk to strangers? Don’t do anything dangerous, alright?”
“You must think yourself my guardian…I will be fine . In spite of appearances, I have lived much longer than you . There is nothing I cannot do . ”
“That’s right . You’re three-hundred years old . ”
“You do not need to remind me . ”
Daniela turned up her nose and walked away sulkily .
Oh, but I was worried . Daniela was communicatively-impaired and a woman of few words . Would she be able to do it? Well, she said she would . And so I had to wait in the dark alley and trust her .
I looked in the direction of the alley . It reminded me of my meeting with Rachel . That one had stretched on forever, but I could see this one end at the next street . That was comforting .
“Now that I think of it, Rachel said she was going to Lambrusen…”
We had now been in Flugelnia longer, but Lambrusen still held a lot of important memories for me . After all, it was the place I had first landed in . Once we had traveled through the empire, I would like to see the rest of Lambrusen…
“Asagi, I found an inn . ”
“Oh, that’s amazing! Good for you!”
“Do not praise me too much . It is embarrassing . ”
Daniela said with unhidden smugness . To be honest, I expected her to take longer, so I was surprised .
Well, time to go then . Thanks to Daniela and Rami, I was feeling a lot better, but still felt a little anxious . And so I was looking forward to taking a long rest .
At this inn that Daniela had found . Yes, an inn that Daniela had found .