Chapter 60
Chapter 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Potatoes and the Pursuit
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The vegetable shop owner eyed the two little ones with suspicion, but since the kids carried themselves with such confidence and poise, he didn't chase them off or snap at them right away.
Lianus scanned the shop with his eyes, searching for potatoes, but when he couldn't spot any, he seemed a bit flustered and shyly glanced back at Nihil.
Nihil strode right up beside Lianus, who was clearly tense, took his hand, and spoke softly.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't find the potatoes."
"Oh? Then just ask."
Nihil nodded toward the shop owner. The man, who had been warily observing the boys, found himself suddenly under scrutiny and took a flustered step back. Then he remembered they were looking for potatoes and fetched a box from the corner, covered in a black cloth.
"Potatoes are right here."
"I-I... um, I've only got one coin..."
Lianus shyly held out his single coin, and only then did the shop owner realize these grubby-looking kids were actual paying customers. He broke into a smile, took the coin, and said,
"This one's on me. Go ahead and pick two big ones, special treat."
The shop owner pulled back the cloth covering the box. Lianus beamed with joy at having bought something all on his own. But the smile didn't last; he froze in front of the potatoes.
Nihil crouched down, chuckling at the round little head deep in thought, then spoke up.
"Look for ones that feel heavy, firm, and free of blemishes. The ones that have been exposed to sunlight and sprouted green shoots are poisonous, so steer clear. These look well-dried and in good shape, so any will do."
"They can't get sunlight, huh."
Lianus finally understood why they were covered with black cloth and nodded eagerly. Since the owner had said to pick big ones, he grabbed a round, pretty one from the larger pile and thrust it toward Nihil.
"I picked one!"
"...You went and picked one just like you."
Lianus's eyes went wide for a moment, wondering if he'd chosen wrong, but the soft curve of a smile peeking from under Nihil's hood told him otherwise. He grinned broadly again.
The shop owner's wariness had completely melted away at Lianus's novice errand-boy charm, evoking fond memories of his own daughter's childhood. He smiled warmly.
"I'll wrap it in newspaper for you. Hand it over."
The owner took the potato from Lianus, wrapped it neatly, gave his shop a quick once-over, told them to wait a sec, and dashed next door to the fruit stand.
"Hey, what're you doing with that?"
"Can't just hand carrots or spinach to those little tykes, can we?"
"Well, now."
The vegetable seller bantered a bit with the fruit vendor before returning with two big, red strawberries and offering them.
"Here, eat these."
Lianus blinked in wide-eyed surprise at the bizarre turn—buying potatoes and getting pricier strawberries thrown in. He reached for them but hesitated, glancing at his dirt-caked hands from handling the spuds. Plus, he remembered their promise: he'd only eat food Nihil gave him.
Nihil, sensing the source of Lianus's hesitation, took the strawberries instead and popped one into his mouth.
Lianus accepted the berry from Nihil, savoring the sweet-tart burst as he munched happily, his cheeks puffing out with delight.
The shop owner watched Lianus munch away with affectionate eyes, then turned to Nihil and held out the other berry.
"You too."
"......"
Nihil took the strawberry and stared at it blankly. Under the four pairs of eyes urging him to eat—including the fruit sellers who had slyly been watching—he feigned reluctance, lifted his hood just enough, and slipped it into his mouth.
He just chewed quietly under the hood, showing no real reaction, which clearly disappointed them. But oblivious Lianus kept grinning and asked,
"Is it good?"
"Yeah."
Nihil savored the fragrant sweetness, nodding lightly, then took the potato still clutched in Lianus's arms and tucked it into his own bag. Lianus's bag was stuffed with the paper sack of bread crumbs and wouldn't fit anyway, plus the potato was hefty.
Finally, Nihil pointed to a shady corner near the shop, warning the owner that someone had their eye on the potatoes, then prompted Lianus to give thanks. Hand in hand, they headed back into the market street.
"Was someone really after the potatoes?"
Lianus piped up, curious about Nihil's cryptic words.
"Not sure if it was the potatoes specifically, but some kid was staring holes into that shop, yeah."
"Nil, you're amazing!"
"Once we hit Sharton Street, you stay alert too—keep tabs on presences. If that's too hard, just focus on sounds."
"Got it! I'll try!"
Lianus nodded briskly. But as the street grew grimier, his face darkened bit by bit.
The closer they got to Sharton Street, the more garish buildings lined the way, but their cheap, eye-straining colors—meant only to catch attention—seemed even more pathetic than clean neutrals.
Faded and torn in places, they looked downright menacing and grotesque. The stench of cheap perfume, rot, and some unidentifiable fishy reek assaulted the nose, threatening to turn stomachs.
Lianus tensed unconsciously at the shifting scenery. Then, spotting a half-dressed woman smoking in front of a gaudy building, he gripped Nihil's hand tight in shock.
Her face was slathered in heavy makeup to hide the pallor, lips painted red, but it was smeared around her mouth like she'd brushed against something. Her starved, withered frame couldn't be concealed by the makeup or flimsy clothes.
Lianus quickly ducked his head before their eyes could meet. Nihil said nothing, just pulled Lianus's hood down snug, squeezed his hand once firmly, then let go.
Ridiculously, that small gesture restored Lianus's calm. He cautiously scanned the street again.
The sensations crawling over his skin felt worlds apart from passing by in a carriage—like breaking through the fourth wall onto the stage itself. Goosebumps prickled, but he tried viewing it objectively, thinking things like, That whole area around the abandoned building could be cleared for a pretty fountain plaza.
Sharton Street was eerily lifeless, even at lunchtime.
The most common sights were drunks passed out sprawled in the street or puking anywhere—from dawn boozing till they finally crashed at morning.
"You, don't make eye contact. They might pick a fight."
"Okay."
But no sooner had he said it than a crash echoed from behind.
"You useless brat! I feed you, clothe you, let you sleep without dying, and that's all you got? No lousy bread crumbs—bring me money!"
"Ugh, damn it! Let go! Be grateful for bread crumbs!"
The middle-aged man clutching an empty bottle grabbed the boy's hair, shook him wildly, then flung him to the ground. He started kicking the groaning, crawling kid in the gut.
It was the same boy they'd met outside the bakery. Even as blows rained down, he spat curses and swung his arms—not your average temper. But as the beating dragged on, he finally collapsed motionless.
The man spat on the ground in disgust, abandoned the fallen boy, and stomped back inside.
Watching it all, Lianus tugged Nihil's sleeve.
"N-Nil!"
"If we step in now, he'll get it way worse later."
"What if he dies like that?"
"He's faking it. Thought he was dumb for fighting back nonstop, but turns out he's got some street smarts."
Nihil was right; soon the boy cracked an eye, glanced around. Seeing no watchers, he staggered up and headed into an alley.
"Let's follow."
Nihil grabbed Lianus's hand and tailed him.
The boy stumbled along but stopped often, vigilantly checking his surroundings like he was headed to some secret spot. Lianus's loose shoes nearly gave them away mid-stalk when he tripped, but Nihil yanked him back into hiding just in time.
That only sharpened the boy's caution.
Nihil eyed Lianus rolling his eyes nervously, then his shoes, then—like back at the palace—hoisted him by the waist, supporting his butt piggyback-style.
Lianus squirmed in embarrassment at being carried like a toddler, insisting he could walk, but after a few soothing pats to behave, he gave in and settled comfortably on Nihil's shoulder.
After several starts and stops chasing the boy, Lianus—now far too accustomed to the carry—mumbled quietly.
"I wanna look ahead too."
Facing backward over Nihil's shoulder meant he could only see the opposite direction. It was a timid complaint, but Nihil adjusted his grip, spun Lianus around, and kept tailing as if nothing happened—now in a proper piggyback.
Lianus went limp in the new position and muttered,
"...I can practically hear Sir Evan laughing at me."
"How'd you know."
"......"
"Sharp instincts, huh."
"...I hate Sir Evan."
One of the hidden presences nearby wobbled. No way a rigorously trained knight like Evan would leak laughter while concealed, but Nihil didn't bother correcting him.
"Almost there. I'll get closer."
Ignoring the prickling glare on his neck, Nihil whispered to Lianus and quickened his pace to close the gap. Lianus clung tight around Nihil's neck, tense at how near they drew, but oddly, the boy never sensed them.
Moments later, the boy reached a half-collapsed little warehouse tucked out of sight. The crumbled side was half-heartedly screened with scrap materials that'd topple at a touch.
The boy scanned around one last time, then slipped inside.