I’m a Bastard But You’re Worse!

I walked towards Sue, still heartily playing around the street market.

Hey, having a good time?

Mwuashter! Dhish ish dhelishas!

Yeahchew well, swallow, then talk, okay?

Sue trotted towards me, all smiles and a mouth full of corn. Her golden eyes were sparkling with joy, just like a small child visiting a town festival for the first time.

You got sauce on your face.

Nnhah, thank you sho much!

I wiped Sues mouth with my sleeve and sighed internally.

After discussing the matter with Sakuya, I decided not to tell Sue about the Garnet Kingdoms downfall.

She was as innocent as a child: what face would she make, were she to learn of her homelands fate?

Damnthis is turning out to be more of a pain than expected

PwahI am sorry to be a pain, master

That wasnt meant for you. I was just talking to myself.

I took a bronze coin from my breast pocket and gave it to the salesgirl in exchange for a tropical fruit.

I bit onto the vivid yellow fruit whole as Sue and I walked down the avenue.

Were going to stay in this town for a while, then head to Garnet. You might have to wait a bit, but put up with it.

I asked Sakuya to have some Fangs of Steel spies investigate the current state of the Garnet Kingdom.

We were going to stay a few days in town, until we received their report.

Of course! Thank you for your concern!

Sue smiled brightly, as expected. The children might have been more of a problem

or maybe not.

The slave children were cheerfully playing in the market. They had enough energy that their pirate chaperone was struggling to keep up: they should be fine for the time being.

Children can adapt way better than adults, after all. If they have enough energy to drive a pirate nuts like that, they can survive anywhere.

Thats right, children are truly strong.

youre pretty tough yourself.

Yes?

Sue cocked her head to the side, puzzled. I smiled wryly, then we headed to our lodging for the night.

I sent some pirate goons to secure rooms for our whole group: ours was separate from the children. Sakuya was going to stay the night with us too, so they could have ended up hearing noises not suitable for their upbringing.

Sakuya was feeling pretty competitive, so you better be ready for tonight.

Yes? Im not sure I understand, but I will be ready.

I issued an implicit warning to Sues ever-unsullied eyes and went through the markets crowds.

Even in a prosperous trading town such as this, one step out of the main roads could lead to much quieter districts.

Compared to the bustling market and its racial melting pot, the peaceful scenery of the district made me feel like time had slowed down.

Hello there, newlyweds. Do you have a moment?

Hm?

As we were walking down the quiet street, someone called to us. I turned around and found a young man, using a wooden crate as a seat.

The man had draped a small round table with a black cloth and placed a crystal ball in the center. His face showed purple scars, probably burn marks, partially hidden by black glasses.

Dont you want to know your future? I do love fortunes too

A fortune tellersorry man, but I dont believe in that stuff. Find someone else.

I quickly waved my hand in denial and turned away.

However

Young man, there is something troubling you. Isnt there?

Ah?

The fortune tellers words stopped me in my tracks. He didnt miss the opportunity, and started pressing further.

You are keeping a grave secret from someone, yes? And thats burdening you with guilt. Isnt it?

I see you are nobleor maybe a soldier? You have seen your fair share of battles, and are quite skilled at your craft too. The lady beside youis not your wife? Shes a servantmaybe even a slave? Youve only met recently, but your relationship is already deepmaybe even extending to the flesh.

youre a fast talker, arent you.

I scowled and glared at the fortune teller.

He didnt seem to be affected at all, however, and simply grinned.

Bullseye, yes? Do you believe in fortune reading a little more now?

No way. Youre not a diviner, just a scammer.

Oh?

I stomped closer to the man and slammed my fist on his table.

You say youre reading my fortune, but you havent even looked at this crystal ball the whole time. You sure leered at us up and down, though.

.

Find me someone, anyone, that doesnt have troubles or secrets. I dare you. Youre just spewing stuff that could fit anyone, mixing it with information you got from observing us.

Nobles and soldiers have their own peculiar gait, so it wouldnt be difficult for someone used to seeing it to spot them. My relationship with Sue could also be found out from the distance between us and our facial expressions.

well, well. Youre sharp, young man.

The fortune teller raised his hands, as if in defeat, then smiled bitterly.

A lot sharper than expected. Could you really be from a famous noble family?

Why dont you divine that?

Hahaunfortunately, I dont have much trust in fortune-telling. My mouth is the only thing I can always rely on.

With words no sane fortune teller would ever utter, the man flatly admitted he indeed wasnt one.

He picked up the crystal ball and black cloth from the table and unceremoniously shoved them into his bag.

Youve piqued my interest, young man. How about we have a little chat? I can at least get you a drink.

The diviner then deftly pushed up his glasses with his middle finger.

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