Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: If You've Started, See It Through to the End
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"Is that it?"
"Y... Yes! That's right! It has to be there."
About two hours later, a hotel came into view.
Auriel strode confidently toward it, and I followed suit.
"You... You don't really need to come with me."
"I'd love to, but after watching you say that three times, go in, and come running back out, I just can't. Even if it's your first time, how do you not know the address of your own lodging?"
"Ugh..."
Her face flushed red as she struggled for words.
Apparently, she'd always left navigation to her escorts until now, so it couldn't be helped. But even so, this was on another level.
We'd heard she was a great singer and all, but could she really only sing?
Just then, as we approached the hotel with her head hung low in embarrassment...
"?"
Auriel suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Thinking maybe it wasn't the right place after all now that we were closer, she turned to me with a slightly stiff voice.
"Wh... Why?"
"...What?"
"Why are you helping me this much? Like you said, I've messed up three times already... Doesn't that annoy you? You could've just made some excuse and ditched me along the way..."
Her voice was thick with self-loathing.
She knew full well how badly she'd screwed up.
I had plenty to say about it, but I held my patience and replied.
"If you quit halfway because you don't like it anymore, doesn't that make everything you've done so far pointless too?"
"!"
"Once you've started something, you see it through to the end. Since I've offered help, taking responsibility is the right call."
"...Th... That... Is that... the... Buddhist... No, the canon law of that heretical... I mean, that sect?"
She seemed to have taken my earlier Buddhism comment seriously.
(Though you couldn't see it,) I smiled faintly at the corners of my mouth and said,
"No, it's the canon law of a guy named me."
"..."
Auriel stared at me blankly for a moment.
For some reason, she looked pretty shocked.
I felt a twinge of regret—maybe I should've just said it was Buddha's teachings— but I quickly cut her off before she could launch into some weird sermon.
"Ahem... Anyway, that's how it is, so don't sweat it. I'm not the type to abandon a lost child and go off alone."
"Lost child..."
She snapped out of her shock, but wore a subtly complicated expression as she headed into the hotel.
I followed behind her.
To be honest, it was getting annoying, but at this point, she'd handed over an invitation whose value was still uncertain.
Considering the time and hassle she'd saved me, spending this much to help her was nothing.
Still, hoping this time it was the right place, I glanced around...
"...Huh?"
"Ah!"
The next instant, Auriel's face lit up like she'd finally spotted a familiar face.
At the end of her gaze sat a middle-aged bishop in a relaxed pose on a chair, staring at us in shock.
"Bishop Juda!"
"A... Au... riel? H... How..."
"I'm sorry. I came back too late, didn't I? I was attacked by some thugs... but thanks to this gentleman, I made it back safely."
Auriel spoke with relief and joy.
Watching her, the bishop's face shifted from surprise to a gentle smile as he replied calmly.
"I see. So that's what happened. No wonder I was worried—you were so late. And..."
With that, the bishop slowly approached me.
He looked my way, bowed politely, and said,
"Thank you so much. For saving our Auriel, we'll never forget this kindness."
"No need. I only did what anyone should. Don't worry about it."
"If it's not too much trouble, would you care for some tea inside? I'd like to offer at least a modest hospitality."
"Y... Yes, please do! Actually... if you don't have any special plans, why not stay here and travel with us tomorrow..."
The bishop spoke with a kind smile, while Auriel nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling.
Normally, I'd refuse firmly here.
After all, I'd finally delivered her to her lodging—mission accomplished.
At this point, I'd more than repaid any debt for the invitation.
I had to be careful about my identity potentially getting exposed,
and there were still minor checks to do before advancing my plans, so parting ways with her here was the smart move.
However...
"Thank you for the kindness. Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
"Ah!"
At that instant, I decided to accept their offer and stay.
The reason?
Right after arriving, I'd noticed something key, and an old friend popped up in front of my eyes.
Song of the Stars
It was because of Taechang's appearance.
*
"Hmm... This is taking a while..."
"Y... Yeah..."
"Yawwwn..."
Three people waited at the bank entrance for someone.
Frankling, Ambasha, and Elkana.
Wearing dog, cat, and rabbit masks respectively, they stared blankly at the square ahead, feeling a bit bored.
Having just finished their 'preliminary scouting' for the mission, they were now waiting in front of the bank for Mazelan, who had business there.
"I'm hungry... I wanna go eat those grilled shellfish Elkana mentioned soon..."
"Yeah... Me too. Stirring in mushrooms with shellfish is killer... Haven't had it lately 'cause I've been so busy..."
"Shellfish with mushrooms... That's an odd combo, but I'll have to try it sometime. Gotta mask the fishy smell, so mix in some cream cheese too..."
"...Lady Frankling... You're surprisingly naughty..."
"...Huh?"
"Nothing... Just talking to myself."
The three women idly chatted nonsense following their trains of thought while gazing at the square.
Then,
"Phew... Even in autumn, it's kinda hot here."
Elkana took off her mask to cool down.
It was better to keep it on if possible, but unlike Frankling beside her, Elkana didn't have a bounty or notoriety making her face recognizable, so she felt no burden.
Seeing this, Ambasha—who was still an unknown pirate—felt stuffy too and removed her cat mask.
She fiddled with the lightweight paper mask adorned with various trinkets, lost in thought.
'If this job goes well, Dad'll praise me again, right?'
Her 'father' always smiled and stroked her hair when she achieved something small.
Back in her slave days, she couldn't have dreamed of it, but now she couldn't live without it.
Ambasha wanted to make him happy this time too.
Then...
-Whoooosh!
"Ah!"
A sudden gust blew the mask from Ambasha's hand.
She lunged forward desperately to grab it as it rolled across the ground.
"Huh?"
"Wai... Ambasha!"
The other two noticed and chased after her.
But the crowd slowed them down momentarily.
Meanwhile, Ambasha barely snatched the mask rolling through the throng.
Then...
-Crack!!!
"Huh?"
"Ah..."
Someone's shoe heel crushed the cat mask flat.
Seeing the item Frankling had bought for the mission ruined, Ambasha's face went ice-cold.
"Oh no, are you hurt anywhere?"
"..."
A young woman's anxious voice rang out.
But Ambasha just stared vacantly at the crumpled mask, as if punched in the face.
"Ah... This one's done for... I'm really sorry. Big sis messed up. Want me to buy you a new one? Or cash instead..."
Then.
"Ambasha!"
"!"
Frankling and Elkana finally caught up.
The woman looked at the presumed guardians, stood, and said cautiously,
"Excuse me. I accidentally stepped on the child's mask...?"
Her eyes met Elkana's bare face.
She blinked blankly, then asked uncertainly,
"You're... Elkana?"
"...Uh... um... Wrong person..."
"What? It is Elkana. What're you doing here? Hunting pirates again?"
"N... No, it's not like that..."
Elkana floundered in embarrassment.
Watching this, Ambasha decided to help her 'junior' and asked sharply,
"Who're you, lady? You know our Elkana?"
"Lady...? Heh... Ah, you must be Elkana's teammate. Yeah, of course I know her well."
Smiling warmly, the woman bowed slightly and extended her hand to Ambasha.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Acroyal Warspite. I worked with Elkana briefly in the past—we're friends. Take care, little miss."
"Ah... Yes, nice to meet you too."
Ambasha shook her beaming hand.
But as Elkana watched this seemingly heartwarming scene...
And Frankling, masked beside her, said in a cold, hardened voice,
"...Elkana... That woman..."
"Yeah. The one from the briefing..."
Acroyal Warspite.
Former Briton Empire naval officer who retired on personal terms and once bounty hunted with Elkana.
And now...
She was the Navy Admiral of Bennetsa right here.