Chapter 68
At the town where Kitsune and the other were currently at, akin to the castle at Grandile Kingdom, there was a large guild-like building standing there.
Inside it, the top brass; who was supposed to deal with citizens opinions and dissatisfaction, as well as the one in charge of the tax; was overbearingly sitting there.
When he picked up several documents before him, he laughed scornfully and tore them apart. The documents that were just torn apart were opinions from the citizens, however he tore them regardless.
The woman who was standing behind him, she took the torn up sheets with slight pity.
Lord Orba will this be alright?
And then, she asked his opinion regarding the matter. Ignoring the citizens opinions and putting up convenient policies, that was by no means allowed.
However, the man answered her along with a snort.
Its fine, Im not that free to be bothered by those riffraff who couldnt afford to pay tax. Moreover, this town is under Grandile Kingdom patronage for being protected by those strength, its a matter of course that they ought to pay some compensation in exchange, right?
please forgive me for my rudeness.
Good grief Ive been doing this job for several years already, you can just ignore those who bawl out simply because the tax is slightly higher. Those who couldnt pay are to be punished, thats a matter of course, isnt it? So stop troubling me with such trifling matter anymore.
Saying so, he picked up the glass next to him, and gulped down all the sake in one go. However, in doing so, he showed a dissatisfied face and let out a sigh.
Terrible, after dealing with those complaints day after day, even a precious alcohol will taste terrible should I consider disposing of those who plead their dissatisfaction, I wonder?
He mumbled so with half-serious tone.
Then, hows the situation with the brat from that fallen noble?
at present, its still under investigation.
What? Just how long will it take? Its just capturing a single brat so just finish it swiftly, how useless.
Toward the matter that was asked by the man named Orba, the seemingly to be secretary woman answered so. And then, the man snorted at the woman. It was clear that he was displeased by her answer. Even his tone became cruder.
However, without any slight sign of fear, the woman kept standing there in business like form.
However, it appears that we have apprehended ex-earl higurd.
Oh, then, what did he say? Of course youve done some interrogation to him, havent you?
not yet, currently hes imprisoned in the jail. We thought about seeking for Lord Orbas order first for further conduct.
Having captured one of his target, the mans mood recovered a bit. However, contrary to his expectation, hearing that nothing had been done to that person, he squinted his eyes and snorted once again.
While briskly scratching his own head, he let out a large sigh as if to let out his dissatisfaction. And then, the man stood up and grabbed the woman by the collar. He roughly pulled her and violently said so.
Just go fvking torture him or whatever to make him spills where that damn brat is! It doesnt matter even if that man die, as long as we can get that brat, everything is fine!!
The woman who was told so along with some soaring spits, she slightly gasped for a moment and shortly replied certainly to him.
When the man released his hand from the womans collar, the woman coughed once.
Well then, please excuse me.
The woman bowed her head and left the room.
The left alone man, seemingly couldnt handle the irritation, he kicked the chair next to him, his breathing was rough, and his shoulders were violently shaking up and down.
Aaargh!! They are all so useless just catch than damn brat already!
The man took a deep breath. While thinking that the stress might end up putting hole on his stomach, he took the alcohol bottle on the table, and directly gulped down the alcohol within. After gulping down everything inside the bottle, while letting out reeks-of-alcohol breath, he violently put down the bottle back on the table.
Really damn it all!!
Without hiding his irritation, he shouted so.
After that, we began to move.
First is information gathering. I and Niko-chan, Rishe-chan and Leila-chan, having separated the group as such, we began gathering information on our own way. Leila-chan was grumbling a bit, but we somehow managed to convince her. The scene where she was being dragged by Rishe-chan, it was actually pretty funny.
For me and Niko-chan, our information gathering method is by asking the citizens impression about the policy that is imposed at this town. We have to make sure what kind of person the one whos responsible of this town first. Well, if he is a good person then it will be easy in its own way, and if hes a bad prson then we can act mercilessly as well, so I think his personality doesnt really matter though.
The person whos in charge of tax collection here, if by any chance his conduct is intolerably excessive, then I want to get back Niko-chans father.
Prowess-wise, there shouldnt be any trouble here, but theres a possibility that Leila-chans identity may be discovered, if by any chance that happens, itll become a great obstacle on my journey from now on. That isnt a very likable scenario, after all.
Where are we going to?
Somewhere with a lot of people.
Im holding Niko-chans hand, who is walking next to me. If I dont do it, I have a feeling that she will run away, I havent asked how old she is, but most likely shes still at child age, so even if she does run away, theres nothing good from it. If thats the case then Id better take a good watch at her, right? Were looking for his father is also for her sake after all.
We dont know a thing about whats happening to your father after all, so to understanding that, we have to gather information regarding it first.
I dont understand.
I see well, you can just take it as a step to meet your father.
okay.
While chatting like that, we keep walking. The place we arrived at is a road with numerous store standing in a row, numerous people come and go, a boisterous yet comfortable place.
Here, who is the one who know the most about this town, I wonder? The uncle from weapon shop? The shop assistant from the diner? The visitors who are visiting those stores? Adventurers? Or perhaps knights? Well, speaking of people who know well about the policy at this town, then its most likely the knights. What kind of person the top brass here, Im sure they pretty much know.
But, knights are no-go. Im together with Niko-chan, so its better to avoid them as much as possible. Its still uncertain whether her father is still alive or not, and if by any chance they discover Niko-chan and turn her as their investigation target, at worst case scenery I have a feeling that theyll put an eye on me as well. Lets avoid that from happening.
What should I do, I wonder?
.
Niko-chan doesnt say a word. Well, expecting something from a child is a waste of time, after all.
First is searching randomly, huh.
Hey, the man with black clothes over there.
Huh? Are you calling me?
And then, theres someone calling from behind. What should I do if it isnt meant for me, I wonder? Now that I realize it, Im kinda scared to turn back. But well, theres no turning back here. Either way, I replied just now after all.
Thinking so, I turn back. In doing so, I can see a man with somewhat burly body standing there. Hes taller than me so it feels as if hes looking down on me.
Do you need something?
That child, is she your family?
Do you need something with my cute little sister?
Seems like hes after Niko-chan. Niko-chan sure is cute, shes obedient and also tend to tell lies, but for such gori-like man to after her, I do think thats a crime, you know? I think its better to stop him so I involuntarily lie by saying that shes my little sister but, seems like hes doubting me.
Im not lying, right?
yeah.
As expected of the liar girl, she can splendidly lie like nothing. Its just, if you call me by onii-chan, then thatd be perfect, though. Will she call me as such, I wonder? I hope she will. Lets ask her sometime later.
whats her name?
Rodriguez Minmin.
Dogriguez Minmin.
Even if you want to lie, cant you put out a slightly more proper name?
Ah, as I thought thats not good enough, huh. As expected, its easy to tell that such name is a lie, he looks like a muscle-head so I thought Id work, but as expected thats still not good enough, huh.
However, lets just stick with it for a bit more.
How rude, thats her real name, you know? Thats a precious name from our parents, dont you dare to make fun of it!
When I say so, the man makes a slightly apologetic face and says so.
I, Im sorry umm, then, youre Rodriguez Minmin, right?
Whos that?
See! Its a lie afterall!
Ah, my bad, its actually Makaridom Peropero, yup.
Thats not even a name!
Huh? Gigibraro Nikoniko, was it? Well, whatever, hes already discovered the lie, so theres no meaning to keep sticking with it.
But, if Niko-chan is marked then itll surely be troublesome what should I do, I wonder?
Well, for now lets ask what his goal is first. If I can play it properly then I may be able to get some information from him.
Then, do you need something?
Im looking for a certain child. A child with blond hair and, it just happens that shes around her age.
Why?
I cant tell you that.
That means it isnt a legal matter, huh. Illegal, that means this matter shouldnt be let known to others. Most likely, this man is a knight, or perhaps the subordinate from the one whos managing the policy of this town. Perhaps Noble, huh.
Who are you?
Im someone from Grace house.
Oh.
Never heard of it. Whats with that house, can you stop showingyou know it, dont you?-face, please? Perhaps its a somewhat influential house around here, but I dont even know who they are, so theres no way Id understand how amazing they are. Niko-chan is still a child, so Im sure she doesnt understand it as well and is tilting her head.
Whats it? Am I at fault here? Perhaps its because how light our response is, the man shows a somewhat doubtful expression, did I perhaps do something bad, I wonder?
But well, that has nothing to do with us. This child is my little sister, after all.
well, fine, if you ever find someone similar to her then please report it to me.
Go it.
The man unexpectedly withdraw there quite easily.
No, perhaps its exactly because he thinks that Niko-chan is the right one, he withdraw there. Perhaps he realized it the moment he noticed Niko-chan, thats why he called out to me, it wasnt meant to ascertain whether Niko-chan is actually Niko-chan, but to ascertain what kind of person I am, or so I think.
When they come to take Niko-chan, if by any chance Im a though opponent then they could make some preparations first after all, they might even investigate what kind of relation I have with Niko-chan and her father.
From the conversation just now, they information he got should be that, firstly, I covered her by claiming to be her brother, I dont have intention to obediently hand over Niko-chan, the possibility of trust from the fact that Niko-chan matched up to my lie, and then what extent of prowess I have, something like that, I think.
Either way, that man will surely report it to his superior soon, and eventually it will reach the top bass ear, huh.
Well, whether that person is actually the top brass or not is still uncertain though, theres a possibility that hes someone from hostile organization or house, but in the end some influential person is surely doing something in the dark.
If thats the case then its like that huh, for me who dont have any lead whatsoever here, them coming my way theirselves sure is a big help.
?
Ah, dont mind it. You can say that weve found our lead here after all.
I see.
Finding a lead, well that isnt exactly the case, but its quite a bountiful harvest we got ourselves here. I havent gotten any information regarding the policy and whatsoever, but that man and also the mastermind are aware of us. Its surely thread-like thin, but its definitely connected to something. Thats more than enough.
However, Niko-chan, who quietly responds to my word, her expression is somewhat gloomy.
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