Chapter 61: Thug Sister

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Translator: Soafp

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We arrived in the city of Zotas.

As befits a port town, several magnificent sailing ships could be seen in the distance, and the slightly chilly sea breeze felt pleasant.

It was actually my first time seeing the ocean, including my previous life.

It seems Zotas even has a beach, so I was getting a little excited.

But since a plague was supposedly going around, I figured there wouldn't be time to enjoy the sea, which was a bit disappointing… or so I thought.

But something about Zotas felt off.

“Nee-san, Nee-san. Weren't we told that Zotas was suffering from a rampant plague?”

“That's what we heard, but everyone looks perfectly healthy.”

I felt something was strange the moment we entered the city.

The people walking along the streets looked healthy and lively—nothing like a city in the grip of an epidemic.

Nee-san called out to a young man passing by.

“Hey, you there. Spare us a moment.”

“Huh? W-what is it!? I don't have any money on me!?”

“…I'm not mugging you.”

“Well, Nee-san does have scary eyes. I guess it's normal to mistake her for a thug.”

“Ask, did you say something?”

“How dare you call Nee-san a thug!! I'll never forgive you!!”

“E-eh? What's wrong with these people…?”

After that, Nee-san thoroughly examined the young man, touching various parts of his body.

But he was in perfect health.

We checked children and the elderly as well, but no one showed any symptoms that looked like a plague.

What's going on here?

“We'll need to hear the details from the mayor of Zotas. The mayor's residence should be… that large mansion over there, I suppose.”

“Nee-san, Nee-san, are we charging in? Are we charging in?”

“We are. Let's go, Ask. We'll confirm the facts, and if the plague was a lie, I'll punch him.”

“Roger.”

“H-hey, calm down, you two!! If it's just a misunderstanding, then that's fine, isn't it!?”

Lidiel hurriedly tried to stop us as we prepared to storm the mayor's mansion.

But Nee-san replied calmly.

“That's not fine, Lidiel-san. Even if it's a misunderstanding, information about a plague spreading would deal a serious blow to the economy. And when it's a major power like the Empire, it affects allied kingdoms as well.”

“W-well, that's true, but…”

“And we have to submit a detailed report to the Emperor and the King anyway. One way or another, we need to hear the explanation.”

“A-at least give them some warning fir—”

Lidiel still seemed like she wanted to say more, but Nee-san and I completely ignored her.

Leaving the carriage in Belchika and Lidiel's care, we charged straight into the mayor's mansion.

“Well now, my apologies. I merely reported to the lord that a cold was going around, but it seems it was taken rather out of proportion.”

“…So the plague was the lord's misunderstanding?”

“Yes. There is absolutely no epidemic spreading in the city of Zotas.”

The mayor who greeted us was a bald man with pale skin and a somewhat vacant expression.

After hearing the explanation from the bald mayor, Nee-san said only one thing.

“I see. …That is good to hear.”

“We truly apologize for all the trouble. As a small token of our apology, we will arrange accommodations for you.”

“…Thank you. Let's go, Ask.”

“Huh? O-oh, okay.”

I expected Nee-san to complain at least a little, but for some reason she simply stared silently at the bald mayor with a solemn expression.

Wondering about her reaction, we turned to leave the mansion.

That was when the bald mayor spoke up.

“Oh, yes. Since you've come all the way to Zotas, how about enjoying some swimming at the beach?”

“I'll decli—”

“Eh, really? Awesome! Oh, but what should I do? Nee-san, I didn't bring a swimsuit.”

“You can buy swimsuits in Zotas's shopping district.”

Nice. I'll go buy one later.

“…Hey, Ask.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Lend me your ear for a moment.”

Nee-san grabbed me by the collar and whispered into my ear.

Her breath tickled.

“Give up on the sea.”

“Why? Don't you like the ocean, Nee-san?”

“That's not it. Look at that mayor's creepy, leering gaze. He just wants to see me in a swimsuit.”

“Eh, you're being self-consci—”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing!! Of course no man could resist wanting to see the swimsuit of an impossibly beautiful girl like you, Nee-san!!”

That was close.

I nearly got hit by Nee-san's instant-death iron claw.

“And that bald mayor… I can't quite explain it, but something about him is off. We should leave the city as soon as possible and report everything to the Emperor.”

“So it's really not okay?”

“Even if you look at me with those round eyes, it's not okay.”

“…Okaaay.”

I really wanted to go to the beach.

“You don't have to look that crushed.”

“I'm not crushed.”

“…Honestly, what a troublesome kid. Fine. We'll leave Zotas tomorrow. Today, you can do what you like.”

“Huh, really?”

“We're leaving tomorrow, so don't forget. That's a promise with your Onee-chan.”

Seriously?

I never thought Nee-san would go back on something she'd already said no to.

“Nee-san, I love you!!”

“Nguh—y-yes… honestly, I wonder if there's some way to annul that engagement with the princess…”

“Hm? Nee-san, did you say something?”

“Nothing at all.”

Excited about seeing the ocean for the first time, I left the mayor's mansion together with Nee-san.

◆　◇　◆

After Ask and Fran left the mayor's mansion.

Two girls wearing kimonos looked down at them from a window of the estate.

“Huh. So that's the boy Kokonoha-sama was talking about. He's kinda cute, I guess, but he doesn't look like anything special.”

“…Do not underestimate him, Mitsuha. If Hitoha's information is correct, he possesses magic power and speed beyond that of a human. We will continue to observe him carefully.”

“Futaba, you're way too serious. Relax a little, like me.”

One of the two girls—a girl with drooping fox ears—ground her single-toothed wooden geta down on the bald mayor's face.

“Go on, squeal like you always do. You weak little trash.”

“B-bwee!!”

“Hahaha!! Pervert!! Gross, gross m*******t!! Filthy male!! Say ‘sorry for being born'!”

“I'm sorry for being born!!”

“Who said you could speak human language? Can't you even understand that you're supposed to say it in pig talk?”

“Bwee!! Bwee-bwee!!”

Mocking him as she repeatedly stomped on the bald mayor, the fox-eared girl laughed joyfully.

Then, suddenly, she came back to herself.

“Still, it's impressive that Kokonoha-sama knew that boy would come here.”

“Kokonoha-sama possesses nine yokai eyes. She may have used their power to interfere in some way.”

“Must be nice, those yokai eyes. I want some too.”

The two girls continued their casual conversation, but their gazes never left the same direction.

As of now, no one was aware of their existence.