Chapter 144.1
Chapter 144: A Bar That Does Not Match (1/2)
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“This must be the place . ” [Ryouma]
The bar I was pointed to was located at the end of a narrow alley from the main street .
There were a lot of spectacular shops in front of the street, but this bar was plain all the way through . It’s an old building, so it looks really desolate, but from all the laughter that could be heard coming from inside, business seems to be going just fine .
There were swing doors for the entrance that reminded me of those from western films . I didn’t have to push them to get in . I just went past them .
…It might be because this is a child’s body, but it could also be that these swing doors are placed just a little too high . What an odd height .
The store extended deeper than one might think at first glance . It was surprisingly big . Although I found the seats a bit too close to each other, there were over 30 of them .
“Ah~? Why is– *hiccup… A kid in a place like this?” [Drunk 1]
“Maybe he’s here to pick someone up?” [Drunk 2]
“Hey~! Someone’s wife is in a bad mood . ” [Drunk 3]
I came here without worrying about it, but I guess coming to a bar with a body like this really does make me stand out .
When the drunk men saw me, they started talking with poor articulation .
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Various gazes fell on me impolitely .
Some were suspicious, others were amused, and then there were those that were mischievous .
The place stank of liquor and tobacco . I better finish this quickly and go back .
Or at least that’s what I was thinking, but with all these people, I have no idea which guy I’m looking for .
Considering the location of the store and the atmosphere about it, this seems to be a place where only locals and regulars gather, so maybe someone from the store knows who I’m looking for .
“…Our bar doesn’t serve liquor to children . ” [Bartender]
I walked to the counter . The only person tending the bar had ‘get lost’ written all over his face .
Although I didn’t come here to drink, I wouldn’t exactly mind drinking… I decided to show him my status board a little .
“…So, you have the divine protection of the God of Wine, eh?” [Bartender]
“I’m looking for someone . Is there a person named Asshimo here?” [Ryouma]
The man pointed with his chin toward a corner of the store .
“Thank you very much . ” [Ryouma]
I left a medium copper coin at the counter and went to the table he pointed me to . There, 8 men were seated around two tables for four that were lined up right next to each other . These guys are probably all couriers . Their group is a mishmash of various races and age groups, but they all have one thing in common: they all have big muscles .
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“Sorry to intrude, but I heard there’s a person called Asshimo-san here . ” [Ryouma]
“What? You have business with me~?” [Asshimo]
When I spoke up, the person seated closest to me turned around . A human in his later twenties . He’s drank quite a bit, but he seems to be in a good mood . This is a good opportunity . I introduced myself and explained the situation .
“You want to ask about Pedro~?” [Asshimo]
“Yes . Can you tell me when you last met him?” [Ryouma]
“Sure, sure . Sure . But you know… Isn’t there something you gotta do first when asking something~?” [Asshimo]
His gaze dazzled as liquor was poured into an empty mug .
“Will ale be fine?” [Ryouma]
“Oh, thanks—!?” [Asshimo]
“Good for nothing bum . ” [???]
“Ow…” [Asshimo]
The man sitting beside him hit him, causing the happy tone in his voice to change into that of pain .
“That hurts, chief…” [Asshimo]
“Don’t try to swindle money out of a kid like this . You’ve drank too much . Sheesh . ” [Chief]
“Sorry about that… I last saw Pedro two days ago . ” [Asshimo]
“In this town?” [Ryouma]
“Yeah . I saw him the morning two days ago . We happened to bump into each other when I went out to eat breakfast… We talked, so there’s no doubt it’s him . ” [Asshimo]
“Do you know where he went after that?” [Ryouma]
“He was in the store first and was also the first to leave . I don’t know where he went afterwards . But he did say he was headed to Kereban as usual . ” [Asshimo]
“So he did use this path . …Do you have any idea why he might have been unable to reach Kereban today?” [Ryouma]
“None, unfortunately…” [Asshimo]
Another person spoke . This one was a much older man, who was probably past fifty .
“I know Pedro too and he’s used this path ever since he was a wee lad . I’m from his dad’s generation, so it’s a given that I know . He knows how to handle a horse and knows what areas are dangerous . Besides, Asshimo . You saw him in the morning, didn’t you?” [Old Man]
“Yeah . We met early morning . The sun was up already, though . ” [Asshimo]
“So he couldn’t have found himself in an accident because it was dark . Do we have anyone who came back from Kereban today?” [Old Man]
“I came back today . ” [Eyewitness 1]
“Did you see anyone stuck?” [Old Man]
“I saw a lot of people taking a break . But I didn’t see Pedro among those . He knows me too, so he should be able to recognize me if he saw me . ” [Eyewitness 1]
“I passed by too, but I didn’t see him either…” [Eyewitness 2]
There were eyewitnesses in town, but none of them saw him… The odds that something might have happened just increased .
“Maybe something happened and he went back to Gimuru?” [Old Man]
“The client says he visited his house, but he wasn’t there either . ” [Ryouma]
“So he couldn’t have come back to town then . ” [Old Man]
“Maybe he stayed at an inn?” [Asshimo]
“Are you seriously saying that? What’s the point of doing that? That’s a waste of money . ” [Old Man]
“…Ah, it’s no good . I drank too much and my brain just isn’t working . ” [Asshimo]
“Hey, Asshimo . Are you sure there wasn’t anything else? I mean there’s no way you guys really just ate together, right?” [Old Man]