kscans

Chapter 60 - Let's Get Stronger ★

Turns out the idiot Harry finished them off because he didn't want to waste the healing potions. As a result, we lost any chance of getting information about the enemy.

"Well, it's fine. Judging by their skill level, they were probably grunts anyway. If we search the car outside, we might find something... I think."

Harry didn't seem to care at all.

"Is that really okay?"

Deciding Harry was a lost cause, I asked Claire instead.

"It's not ideal. I'll just have to make something up to smooth things over. I'll say they committed suicide."

"Do as you please, but..."

What should I tell Satsuki-san?

"Um, what are we going to do with these bodies?"

Nanapon, who had finished crying and returned to normal, asked Claire.

"We'll leave them as they are. They'll disappear eventually anyway."

Hm? Disappear?

Claire's choice of words bothered me, but I decided to keep quiet, fearing I might dig myself into a hole.

"What do you mean, disappear?"

As I stayed silent, Nanapon asked for me.

"Just what I said. In Frontier, monsters disappear, right? I don't know if it's the same principle, but humans also disappear like smoke when they die. It just takes a little longer for humans. The reason is unknown."

That's kind of creepy.

"That's kind of creepy, isn't it?"

We agreed!

"Well, yes. But it's convenient in cases like this. We can get rid of troublesome bodies."

Thinking about it that way, it means it's hard to find evidence if you kill someone in Frontier. That's dangerous.

"Never mind that, what should I tell our Guild Master?"

I decided to change the subject, thinking this topic was a bit dicey. I didn't want to be asked why the bodies disappear. Because I don't know either.

"You can just tell her what happened. This problem is more yours than ours, anyway. Our job is to be your bodyguard. We'll just report that we successfully protected you."

"Could you talk that over with the Guild Master? She seems to want to cover things up."

It's a pain, so I'll just leave it to Satsuki-san.

"What? Cover it up? Why?"

"Well, I told you about the intruder who broke into the guild before, right? The culprits are probably these guys. But if she reports it, it will become an issue of the Guild Master's responsibility for letting an intruder in. From my perspective, I need her for the future. I can't trust anyone else."

I can trust Satsuki-san. She was Kaede-chan's former party leader, and Kaede-chan vouches for her trustworthiness. She wouldn't do anything strange, and above all, she wouldn't do anything to betray Kaede-chan.

"Hmm, well, fine, but I'll be reporting this to our superiors, you know?"

"That can't be helped, I suppose."

That's their job, after all.

"Well, I understand. You're selling me an Item Bag, and there's the matter of the healing potions. I'll try not to speak ill of her."

"Please do."

If Satsuki-san were gone, Eleanor-san would have to retreat as well. I need her to hang in there a little longer.

"Hm? Hey, Claire! What's this about an Item Bag!?"

Harry reacted to the mention of the Item Bag.

"I'm having her sell me the 1000 kilo one. That's why I helped."

"What!? I didn't hear about this! I have a right to it too."

"Do you have a billion yen?"

"..."

He doesn't. Bummer.

"Well then, we're going back to talk to the Guild Master. We didn't go through the reception, so we need to get back quickly... It would be bad if someone saw us."

These two are famous, after all. It would be bad if someone tweeted about them.

"Oh, I'll contact you soon about the healing potions."

"Right... I'm sorry, could you wait a little longer? I have to return to my country first, so after that. The money, you see..."

She has to pay a billion yen, after all.

"I understand. Well, just let me know."

"I will. See you. Come on, Harry, let's go."

"Damn it! I need to start saving money."

"You won't be able to."

The two of them left through the Gate, bantering lightly.

"Shall we go home too?"

Once the two were gone, I asked Nanapon.

"Yes... Um, I'm really sorry for all the trouble today. I'll be more careful from now on."

Nanapon bowed her head.

"I want to say don't worry about it, but be careful with money. Don't tell your friends either, okay?"

"Yes, I've learned my lesson... and thank you."

This time, Nanapon thanked me.

"You're welcome. I'm glad they were just small fry."

"I can't tell at all, but were they small fry?"

"They were small fry the moment they challenged me. Not knowing the difference in our strength. That man should have run straight for the Gate. Well, either way, Harry wouldn't have let him escape, though."

It was foolish of him to think he could win just because I didn't have my sword. When I'm famous for being a witch. Though I can't actually use magic.

"Is that so... I wonder if I can become strong too."

"You'll be fine. You can use magic. Let's level up and do our best together."

"...Yes!"

Nanapon smiled brightly.

"Well then, let's go home. You should go first. Oh, should I get you a taxi?"

"No, it's okay. I can get home by myself."

"Are you really okay?"

"I'll stick to the main streets, so I'll be fine. And this time, I'll be on alert with my Clairvoyance."

Well, she should be fine.

"Then be careful."

"Yes. Oh, I'm sorry, I know you were preparing to move."

"Don't worry about that. I'm pretty much done. I'll be living with Kaede-chan starting tomorrow."

"That's great."

Nanapon seemed a little put off.

"...What?"

"No... well, I'll be heading back first. Let's have that celebration party again."

"Right. I'll let you know."

"Yes. Thank you for today. See you."

Nanapon said that, went through the Gate, and left.

I decided to wait a little while before going through the Gate and returning to the guild myself.

◆◇◆

I left the guild and started walking towards the station.

Okita-san gets so creepy when he talks about Asakura-san...

I feel like Okita-san is incredibly dependent on Asakura-san. It seems he was mentally unwell from his job, so did he drown himself in Asakura-san's kindness? Well, it has nothing to do with me. Honestly, it's probably best not to get involved in their relationship.

More importantly, right now...

I stopped and looked at a black car parked on the side of the road. Then, the car door opened.

I got into the back seat of the car.

"Young Miss, how was it?"

A man in a black suit and sunglasses who was in the back seat asked.

"A failure. All three of them are dead. I told you so..."

I was against it from the beginning. There was no way something like this would work.

"I see... What happened?"

"Harry and Claire showed up. Well, those two aren't a particular problem. The problem is the Golden Witch. She's a genuine monster. She killed two of those three in an instant. And she called them small fry, you know?"

"Calling our elites small fry... So she was a real witch after all."

A witch of money-making, that is. And a murderer.

"I never want to do something like this again. What about Dad?"

"Everything is proceeding as planned. He has already been hospitalized, and tonight will be the critical point."

"I see. Then that's fine. We don't need an idiot who comes up with such a crappy plan. From now on, I'm in charge."

"Understood. However, there may be some who oppose you..."

Oppose?

"They won't be able to follow me?"

"You are young, Young Miss, and you are in Japan. The people in Hong Kong will likely put someone else forward."

Tch! What a pain!

"Eliminate them. I have no need for those who cannot follow me."

"As you wish, Young Miss."

"Stop with the 'Young Miss'."

"Understood, Boss."

Boss, huh. Well, I guess that's how it'll be.

"Very well. Nothing escapes my Clairvoyance. I'll crush all opposing forces."

"What will you do, Boss? Will you not go to Hong Kong?"

"I only speak Japanese."

Born and raised in Japan, Chinese and English are impossible for me. Though I get perfect scores on tests.

"Shall I teach you?"

"It's a pain. Worst case, I'll get a Translation Potion from the witch. Besides, Japan is more important than Hong Kong right now. I've finally made a connection with the Golden Witch. How can I let this opportunity slip away?"

At first, I thought it was the worst, getting caught cheating by the Guild Master and being ordered around by a dad I've barely even met, but things are turning around. If I stick with Eleanor-san, she'll surely show me real gold.

"Then, will you continue to be an adventurer? Honestly, I'm worried..."

She's probably thinking, you're weak!

"It's better than going to Hong Kong. Besides, the Golden Witch is here. There's no problem. More importantly, do something about the idiots flocking around the Golden Witch."

"I understand. However, America is tough."

"Leave them be. They're just fools blinded by money."

Are they really going to be okay? I find myself worrying, even though they're the enemy.

"Understood."

"Oh, and don't mess with the Guild. You broke into the Guild, didn't you?"

Seriously, stop it...

"Those were the former boss's orders. I thought it was questionable as well. We cannot make an enemy of the Guild. It would mean making enemies of every Guild in the world. If that happens, we are finished."

"As long as you understand, it's fine. I will deal with the Golden Witch. You all will eliminate external threats. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Then that's settled. I'll leave the rest to you."

I said that and got out of the car.

"Shall I give you a ride?"

"I don't need one. I'm going shopping before I go home."

"I see... Well then, I will contact you if anything comes up."

"Please do. Bye bye."

I got out of the car, headed for the station, and got on a train. When I arrived at my destination, I got off the train and left the station.

From there, I walked a short distance, hid in the shadows, and used my Clairvoyance.

Ah, she's back...

In my line of sight is Eleanor-san. It seems Eleanor-san has already returned home, but before my Clairvoyance, whether she's inside her house or anywhere else, I can see her.

Eleanor-san... she's so cool... I wonder if I can become like that?

As I stared, Eleanor-san undid her ponytail.

Oh, she's taking it down. What a waste... At first, she was terrible at tying her hair, but now she's gotten good at it. It was worth it to secretly cheer her on last weekend.

As I continued to watch Eleanor-san, she started taking off her clothes.

Eleanor-san... she has such a good figure. I'm envious.

The undressed Eleanor-san started drinking some kind of potion. Then, Eleanor-san's form changed into Okita-san's.

Okita-san... you're in the way. Change back to Eleanor-san already.

You're scary! How can you swing a sword down without hesitation? And stop smiling while you're cutting people!

What does Asakura-san see in that man?

I, I wonder if they're, s, sex friends...? I, I have to keep watching them...!