Chapter 19

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 19

Chapter Title: EPISODE 3: Yuta

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"This is a problem..."

I bit my lip with a tsk and muttered to myself.

"Tell me about it. There are no stagecoaches running."

As Lena put it, we had just left the stagecoach station.

We had planned to switch coaches in Yuta and head straight to the capital, but that plan had gone completely awry.

Bandits had been spotted on nearby roads, so they weren't running coaches for a while.

"What do we do now?"

"Hmm. We should stay here a few days and see how things play out. The issue might resolve itself in the meantime. You've come a long way too, Lia—you must be tired."

"But we don't have the spare cash for lodging..."

I glanced sideways at Lena as I said it.

"Don't worry. I'll cover it."

"Really?"

Of course you'd say that.

"Thanks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to you, I wrapped things up nicely in Wilhelm. Don't sweat it—I'll handle the costs all the way to the capital."

"Wow! Thank you! Then let's go for the most expensive inn!"

"Whoa, hold on... I don't have that kind of spare cash either."

"You're a Heretic Inquisitor. Can't you afford that?"

She wasn't going to be stingy about it, was she?

"Being a Heretic Inquisitor means no luxuries are allowed. Anyway, I'll pick the place to stay."

"Aw."

Bummer, but what can you do.

We wandered the city looking for a decent inn.

"...Something's off."

After finding a suitable inn, renting a room, and unpacking, Lena muttered with a serious expression.

"You noticed it too, Lena?"

As expected of a Heretic Inquisitor.

She had picked up on what I felt.

"You too, Lia?"

"Yeah. This inn... it's ridiculously expensive for the condition. Tiny room, outhouse toilet, and they charge nearly double what you'd pay elsewhere. They totally gouged us out-of-towners. Damn... Should we go complain?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

Lena said, looking exasperated.

"Then what?"

"Suspicious magic is emanating from all over the city. It feels like it's spread across the whole place."

"Suspicious magic... You mean black magic?"

"Yeah. But it could just be my imagination."

Lena squinted one eye.

"Still... it nags at me. Feels like a sign we can't just ignore."

With that, she turned toward the door.

"Be right back."

"Where to?"

"The church first. They might know something."

"Want me to come?"

"Nah, it's fine. It might be nothing. Rest up."

"Got it."

After Lena left, I lounged on the bed, then flopped down and fell asleep.

How much time passed?

A rustling nearby woke me.

It was dawn now; the room was dim.

"Yawn... You just get back?"

I rubbed my eyes and asked.

"Yeah. Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No. Find out anything?"

"I'm not sure yet..."

Even as she said it, Lena seemed preoccupied.

"Tell me if I can help. We're partners, right?"

She gave a faint smile at my words.

"...Yeah. I will."

The next day.

Lena slept in late, unlike her usual self.

She was probably worn out from yesterday.

I quietly got out of bed so as not to wake her and headed outside.

I hadn't told her, but I had business here too.

"Is this the place?"

I went to the spot I'd scouted yesterday.

It was a large pawnshop.

The guard said it was one of the biggest stores in town.

Stepping inside, the room was filled with goods on display.

"Welcome... Oh ho. What a lovely young lady."

The owner emerged from a back room behind the counter, eyes widening as he spoke.

"A new face. Are you a traveler?"

"Yes. I want to sell something."

"Doesn't look like anything pricey. Sorry, miss, but I don't deal in junk."

"You'll be surprised."

At my confident tone, the owner shrugged, intrigued.

"Alright, let's see it."

"This."

I unbuckled the sword at my waist and set it on the counter.

"Lemme see... Steel sword. Plain, but nice engravings. Well-made. Nothing else special, though?"

"Tsk tsk. You don't recognize true value. The Lady of Wilhelm gave it to me personally. Made over two hundred years ago. Something about commemorating a victory... Anyway."

"The Lady of Wilhelm? Why?"

"Long story. Get an appraiser if you doubt it. If it is real, what's your offer?"

The owner set the sword down and shook his head.

"Even if it is true, I can't offer top dollar."

"Why? This thing's amazing! Swing it and—boom—flames or something? Probably."

Yeah, it'd do that.

It was a rare weapon and all.

"Miss, think about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it. This is a backwater. The biggest town around here, sure, but who comes here looking for fancy weapons? Mostly peddlers pass through. Locals farm for a living. High-end buyers? Only eccentric nobles might be interested, and they don't touch flashy stuff like that. Too conspicuous if it's really from Wilhelm... Ugh, no way, no way."

The owner sighed deeply and waved me off.

It made sense when he put it like that.

"C'mon... cut me a deal?"

"Sorry, I don't want trouble. I'm not saying I don't trust you. Anywhere you go, it'll be the same story—unless you're dumping it dirt cheap."

Damn.

I'd hoped distance from Wilhelm would make it sellable.

"...Fine."

I replied dejectedly.

As I took the sword and turned to leave, the owner spoke up.

"Hold on, miss. If you need cash quick? I've got a proposition."

"What?"

"How about it? You look premium. i'll pay top coin."

What?

I tilted my head, not getting it at first.

Then it hit me, and my face flushed.

"Wh-what?! Are you insane?"

"That reaction screams virgin. Good. Thirty gold coins. No one offers that for a night."

"Th-thirty...?!"

My jaw dropped as I stammered.

That could buy armor, and sustain me for months in the capital.

I was tempted for a second, but I shook my head fiercely.

"No way! What do you take me for? No wonder you're unmarried at your age!"

"What? I'm married. Early, even."

"Even more reason not to! Shameless."

I shot back at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the brazen bastard.

"Who says no?"

"Who...?"

"You're the one defying nature. That age, that body, and still a virgin? Blasphemy. Proper women crave men, keep their wombs full. It is common sense—don't you know?"

What the hell?

Is he nuts?

His straight face spouting that like it's obvious was downright creepy.

It felt like it'd be trouble if I stayed, so I bolted out.

"What a massive psycho... How's he run a big shop?"

I glanced back at the store.

Wait.

Handled right, that could've been a goldmine.

A sexual harassment claim or something. I'd dealt with similar before.

Should I go back? I pondered long, then shook my head.

Nah.

Too risky.

Resigned, I trudged back to the inn.

What a letdown.

I had high hopes.

"Hey, miss."

Someone called from behind.

Turning, a rough-looking gang stood there.

"Who, me?"

"Yeah. Whew, you're a real beauty. Wanna hang with us? We'll treat ya."

The leader winked sleazily.

Are they all crazy?

"Beat it while I'm nice. Don't piss me off. I'm in a bad mood already."

"Ooh, listen to her. Like a rose, huh? Sharp thorns gonna prick me good?"

He slicked back his hair, thinking himself suave.

Ugh, i'm dying for a critical hit here.

"Makes me want you more."

He grabbed my hand.

"Women who play hard to get are the hottest, right?"

That's when I snapped and swung.

A solid thunk to the solar plexus sent him flying, rolling on the ground.

Even I was shocked.

I felt no guilt or hesitation punching full force.

Is this what superhuman strength feels like?

"You bitch... We treat you nice and you go crazy? Grab her!"

The thug finally showed his true colors, yelling at his crew.

"Come on."

Perfect timing—I was pissed.

I took them down one by one.

All five were floored in under a minute.

"H-heek!"

His buddies down, the leader screamed in terror.

"Hey."

I loomed over him.

"Got cash?"

"Wh-why money...?"

"Why?! You screw up, you pay up, duh!"

"W-we got beat...?"

"Got a problem?! Still not learning?"

I raised my fist threateningly.

Footsteps approached.

"What's going on here?!"

A guard stood there.

Alerted by the noise, probably.

Tch, pigs.

Was gonna shake 'em down good.

"H-help! She attacked us!"

The thug yelled desperately.

This punk.

Dare snitch?

You think you'll get away... Wait, they started it.

Almost forgot.

"That true?"

The guard eyed me.

"They picked the fight! I was just walking, they grabbed my hand, try dragging me off. I said no, but they wouldn't let go!"

I replied as pitifully as possible.

"Hmm. Seems legit."

He bought it.

"Duh!"

"But hitting men? That's not okay."

"...What?"

"One smack's enough, miss. Pretty face don't mean act high-class. Violence is violence."

This guy's nuts too?

"Want some, old man?"

"What?"

"They threatened me first!"

"Maybe good intentions. You look tempting. C'mon, both of you. We'll sort it at the station."

This psycho.

As I stood dumbfounded, he grabbed my wrist.

"Let go! I'll follow!"

I shook him off.

That's when.

"Don't go!"

A desperate shout.

A black figure grabbed my hand.

"Run! Now!"

A woman in a nun's habit.

I followed her without thinking.

She stopped in a distant alley, panting.

"Uh... who are you?"

"Sera. You were in serious danger."

"Danger?"

"Go with him, you'd end up like the others."

Sera explained everything.

"So... people are acting weird lately?"

"Yeah. Everyone accepts the obvious weirdness as normal. Wgen you Tell them, no one believes it. They think they're sane and I'm crazy. But you saw it, right? It just happened."

Sera vented indignantly.

I nodded.

Come to think of it, Lena mentioned suspicious magic everywhere.

That must be it.

"When did it start?"

"Not long. A few months max."

"Any suspects?"

"One..."

Sera gazed afar, hesitating.

"The church."

"Church?"

"A new statue was installed recently. A weird-looking thing. Didn't resemble any god. Everyone thought it odd at first, they figured it was just bad craftsmanship, so they left it. Then suddenly, they all accepted it as normal. That's when people started changing."

Rang a bell instantly.

The mirror last time, and the statue now?

"If we destroy it, will the folks go back to normal?"

"Dunno... But it is not easy. The church folk treasure it."

"They'll snap out once it's gone. They won't bite the hand that saves 'em."

"Maybe... But if not..."

True.

If I was wrong, I'm the lunatic smashing church property.

It was a crime, straight up.

"We've gotta... be careful."

"Yeah. You sure? If you get close, you might change too."

"Oh yeah, that. How'd you resist, Sera?"

"No idea. Some people are immune, maybe."

"Gotta test it..."

Honestly, I was nervous.

But there was a silver lining.

It's the church.

I got a cheat key companion for that.

We can waltz into any church and stir things up.

I'll just tell Lena.

"Leave it to me. I'll handle it."

I declared confidently.

I can't let her hog the credit.

"Really...? You can?"

"Of course. I've saved tons in other cities. Do you know of me, Lia, Hero of Wilhelm?"

"No, but... it sounds familiar?"

"Remember it. It's gonna be huge."

"Ooh... Got it! I'm looking forward to it."

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