Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Unwelcome Guest (3)
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Even so, they couldn't immediately launch into an investigation of Ballard Wigo's background.
He was visiting the Haksen family on vacation and planned to stay there for a few days.
While Ballard Wigo spent time at the Haksen family home, Demian took a rest as well. He didn't forget to distribute the bracelets he had obtained from the church's secret vault among his family members.
"A few days here were truly appreciated."
When the day of departure arrived, Ballard Wigo bowed his head to the people of the count's household and expressed his gratitude.
"Do we really need thanks between us?"
"Exactly. We're practically family soon, aren't we?"
The family saw Ballard Wigo off with smiling faces.
As soon as Ballard left, Demian and Luise sprang into action.
They made an excuse to the family about going to see a play in the capital and set off in pursuit of Ballard toward Osean City.
* * *
Upon arriving in Osean City, a wind thick with the scent of the sea welcomed the two.
It was the first time Demian had seen the ocean since his return.
Unfortunately, there was no time to leisurely admire it. Ballard was entering the castle.
The two carefully tailed him, taking care not to be noticed by Ballard Wigo.
"Ah! Mr. Ballard!"
It happened while Ballard was walking down the main street.
A girl selling flowers on the roadside came running up with a delighted face.
"Your vacation's already over? Did you have a good time at the Haksen viscount's home?"
"Miss Plue, long time no see. Ah, and it's the Haksen count's household now, not viscount's."
"I forgot!"
The girl grabbed Ballard and chattered away for a good while. Ballard listened to all her prattle without a hint of annoyance.
"I'll be going now. I have to head straight to work."
"But I still have so many questions..."
"We'll talk next time."
As Ballard said that and left, the flower girl looked disappointed.
The flower girl wasn't the only one to grab Ballard.
"Oh my, Mr. Ballard!"
The young proprietress of a general store spotted him and called out.
"Why haven't you come by our shop lately?"
"The candles I bought last time are still left."
"I should have given you ones that burn out quick. That way I'd see your face more often."
And that wasn't the end of it.
Similar encounters happened two or three more times after that. Watching the scenes, Demian felt a strange discomfort.
"Just as you said, Sister... he's really popular, huh?"
"So you didn't believe me until now?"
Luise put on a mock-angry face.
"Do you know how many women were hanging off Ballard when we were in the west? If I hadn't fought tooth and nail, he would've been stolen away. I still have nightmares thinking about it."
Luise's words threw Demian into great confusion.
'Sister clung to that guy?'
It was a reality that was hard for Demian to believe—no, one he didn't want to believe.
His amazing sister had been hung up on a guy like that.
"That's why I didn't want Ballard coming to this city..."
While Luise sighed, Ballard Wigo entered the city administration building.
"What do we do? We can't go inside..."
Luise stamped her feet in frustration. Demian looked around and asked her.
"Do you know which floor he works on?"
"Huh? Probably the third, I think?"
Demian scooped Luise into his arms. Then he leaped up to the rooftop of a building about the same height as the third floor of the administration building.
"Oh my, my little brother is amazing."
"This is nothing."
The two peered through the administration building's windows, waiting for Ballard to appear.
A short while later, Ballard Wigo came into view.
'It might be hard for Sister to see from here.'
The distance between the administration building and their perch was quite far. Demian might manage, but for an ordinary person like Luise, it would be tough.
"Sister, are you uncomfortable..."
When he glanced to the side, he saw Luise pulling out binoculars.
"Huh? What?"
Noticing his gaze, Luise tilted her head and asked. Demian asked in a flustered voice.
"...When did you prepare that?"
"I bought it in advance in case something like this happened. Oh, it's a magic tool, so I can hear conversations too?"
Demian felt a slight headache coming on. What on earth about that man made Luise act like this?
"...You're very well-prepared."
"Right?"
The siblings lay flat on the rooftop, observing Ballard's movements.
Ballard fetched a mountain of documents from somewhere, piled them on his desk, and began working. Since he sat by the window, his profile was fully visible.
Then, someone approached Ballard. Judging by her clothes, she seemed to be a maid working at the administration building.
-Mr. Ballard! You should've told me when you got back! I've been waiting so long!
-Ah, Emily. Sorry. I've got a ton of backlog.
Ballard greeted the maid with a smiling face. The atmosphere was extremely friendly.
-That's a huge pile. You have to handle all this yourself?
-I rested, so I need to work that much. But I think I can finish by dinner tonight.
-You're incredible!
The maid clapped in admiration. Then, suddenly, her eyes turned sticky and seductive.
-So... you'll have time after dinner?
The maid slyly placed her hand on Ballard's thigh. The moment Demian saw it, intense rage surged through him.
"That bastard?"
Sister's suspicion was right. He was definitely two-timing.
Leaving a sister like the sky behind to pull this crap.
"Sister, wait here. I'll go break that bastard's legs!"
"D-Demian! Calm down! Let's watch a bit more, okay?"
"What's there to watch? It's all clear now!"
Luise grabbed Demian. While the two tussled, it happened.
-I'm sorry, Miss Emily, but that's not possible. I have an appointment tonight.
Ballard lifted the maid's hand and moved it aside. The maid pouted sulkily.
-...Fine. Then work hard.
The maid stood from her chair in a huff.
Demian's charge halted abruptly at the sight. His blazing anger lost direction and dissipated.
"...Ballard!"
Luise gazed at the scene with an enraptured face.
"Tch."
Demian clicked his tongue with a disappointed look.
* * *
Time passed, and lunchtime arrived.
Ballard Wigo came out to eat as well.
"Sister, let's follow."
"Got it."
The two quickly tailed Ballard. He entered a restaurant in a corner alley.
Demian and Luise approached the restaurant's window. They peeked inside, craning their necks.
"Hey, it's Ballard!"
A waitress who had been sitting spotted him and jumped up joyfully.
"Why haven't you come by in so long? Was our food not good?"
"No way. I was away on vacation."
"Vacation? You should've at least told me. I've been waiting for you."
The waitress smacked Ballard's arm playfully.
"Sit down quick. What'll I get you? The usual?"
"Yes, please."
"Got it. Dad! Ballard's here! One regular set!"
Ballard sat at an empty table. Naturally, the waitress plopped down right beside him.
"Ballard! I have a favor to ask. Can you do it?"
"What is it?"
"Can you take me to that beach again like last time? I want to see the full moon reflected on the sea one more time, but it's out in the outskirts, and I'm scared to go alone."
At the waitress's words, Demian's eyes widened.
A young man and woman going to a beach together at midnight? To a deserted spot?
"...Sister, that woman's definitely up to no good."
"Eh, Demian?"
"Stay here. I'll go snap that bastard's limbs right now!"
"W-Wait, Demian! Just a bit more! Let's watch a little longer!"
Luise desperately held Demian back. Meanwhile, Ballard smiled and spoke.
"Susan, sorry, but I can't."
"Why? You went with me last time!"
"That was to repay you for helping me a lot when I first came to the city. A young woman being seen with a man could lead to bad rumors."
At Ballard's words, the waitress mumbled awkwardly.
"...I don't care about bad rumors."
"I do. Like I said last time, I'm engaged."
The waitress let out a deep sigh and backed off.
Demian glanced sideways. Sure enough, there was Luise, beaming.
"Ballard...!"
She was so happy she was even tearing up.
Demian could only suppress his dissatisfaction.
* * *
After that, the two continued observing Ballard.
Several more women approached him as before, but each time, Ballard politely refused.
"It seems I was the one who misunderstood."
As the sun began to set.
Luise said to Demian.
"I'm such a bad woman. I couldn't trust Ballard to the end."
Luise gazed toward the administration building with eyes brimming with affection. Ballard was still hard at work inside.
"...Well, that's a relief."
"Huh? Then why the grumpy face?"
"It's nothing."
Demian clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had hoped this incident would let him find Luise someone better, but it all went up in smoke.
'Guess I have no choice but to acknowledge it.'
On the other hand, this had changed his view of Ballard Wigo.
Turning down that many women and looking only at Luise.
'Yeah, as long as Sister's happy.'
It was while Demian thought that.
The administration building's door opened, and Ballard Wigo walked out.
"Looks like he's getting off work now. Must've been tough."
But for some reason, Ballard didn't head straight to his lodging.
He stood at the entrance, repeatedly checking his pocket watch.
"Ballard!"
Then, a woman waved her arm and approached him.
An exotic beauty with jet-black hair like obsidian and brown skin.
"Did I keep you waiting?"
"No. I just finished up too."
The woman linked arms with Ballard. He naturally offered his arm.
"I reserved a nice tavern for tonight. Let's go."
The two vanished into the darkness.
"...."
Demian could only gape.
"Sister? Did you see that?"
When he turned to look, Demian startled.
Luise was staring at the pair with an icy cold gaze.
Demian felt chills run through his entire body.
In all his life, he'd never seen Luise wear such a terrifying expression.
"Demian?"
"Y-Yes... Sister."
"Chase them. Now."
Luise said in a voice laced with murderous intent.
Demian had no choice but to nod.