Chapter 93

Chapter 93

The were-leopard sat at the counter .

I heard the response of the shop owner as she called .

It feels like she’s quite familiar with the other customers .

For the time being, I turned towards the Ashinto .

They were satisfactory drinking in the inner corner of the tavern .

There’s no sign that they were really conscious about the were-leopard .

Their behaviour were indeed detestable but…

I feel like that were-leopard was already familiar with them .

I think even the other customers were also the same .

This appears to be a response to seeing a famous celebrity who have always been visiting this establishment .

However, no one talks with her .

[I will inquire myself whether this story about the Witch of Taboos we’ve talked about earlier were real . ]

I said towards the men sitting at the same table .

The man laughed and removed his hand from my shoulder .

[The courage of young people really are great . Well then, we’ll be leaving soon . I’ve drank more than usual, so I got drunk . I want to get some fresh air… urmmff…]

The two of them began leaving their seats .

Staggering, they went out of the tavern .

I promptly went back to where Seras sat .

After listening to their story, I handed a silver coin towards the both of them .

[Then, let’s go . ]

[If something were to happen, I’ll handle it immediately . ]

[I don’t really intend to cause any trouble, though I’ll rely on you when it comes to that . ]

I would like to avoid using my skills in this place if it’s possible .

If such a situation were to happen, I would only rely on Seras’ combat ability .

[I’m counting on you . ]

With a tense expression on her face, Seras places her hand over chest .

[Leave it to me . ]

I started walking to the counter seats .

And to the seat next to the were-leopard, I sat .

Requested another glass of herbal water .

[Will you allow me to treat you to something?]

Silently, the were-leopard turned towards me .

After a moment of silence…

[What do you want?]

She asked .

It seems that she could properly speak the human language .

Phew…

This means conversation with her is possible .

The were-leopard’s voice is vigorous .

On the other hand, you could also feel calmness in it .

Her voice is also not so rough .

It was clear, free-flowing voice .

[I heard some rumours about you, so I thought of meeting you at least once . You can call me Hati . A mercenary . ]

[I’m Eve Speed . ]

After naming herself, Eve stared at me for a while .

[Is this your first time seeing a were-leopard?]

[Yes . ]

[And yet, you hardly showed any curious reactions . ]

I can’t make any careless reply .

I don’t know yet what could trigger her wrong buttons .

With a smile on my face, I said .

[I’ve already seen a lot of things on my travels . It may be rude, but I won’t be surprised seeing a were-leopard . ]

I’m talking about that two-headed humanoid panther monster I’ve met at the Disposal Ruins .

I’ve also heard some things about synthetic beasts from other people .

If I were to compare it to those monsters, I could hardly be surprised with her existence .

Chompp~!

Eve is heartily eating her meat in bone dish .

After chomping on it, she began licking away the leftover oil in her hand .

At that time, her cat-like eyes turned towards me .

[That’s a hearty way of eating . ]

[Fumu, don’t you hate looking at someone uncivilized like me?]

She’s trying to measure up something .

She suddenly shown off such a manner of eating .

It seems that she’s trying to see my reaction .

[I can’t really say I’m a refined person myself . Besides, it’s best to eat deliciously rather than minding how you eat . Ah— Speaking of which, you’re a Blood Champion—]

[State your business . ]

[………………]

[You didn’t meet me because I’m a Blood Champion . Am I mistaken?]

An embarrassed smile appeared on my face .

[I- I got caught huh… I guess that’s to be expected…]

Well, I had an atmosphere that says I really have a purpose .

It’s good that she easily noticed it .

[So, what’s your business?]

Fumu .

So, she’ll hear me out huh…

Timidly, I listened to her .

[It was said that you know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos…]

[That witch is in Golden Demon Zone . Anyone already knows about this rumor . ]

[I have heard that you knew exactly where “her whereabouts” in that Demon Zone…]

[Kuku…]

A muffled laugh came out from Eve’s mouth .

[So, you’re one of those people who believed in the rumors you heard from one person . ]

[Are you saying that the rumors I’ve heard about were fake?]

[Yeah . It was indeed the truth that I’ve met a witch when I went inside the Golden Demon Zone . However, I’ve never met the Witch of Taboos . ]

[What about that story where you only said her whereabouts to your fellow Blood Champions?]

[…I’ve been wandering about in the Demon Zone for two weeks at that time . Just as I thought that I would die, I was saved by the Witch of Taboos’ magic— I remember saying this kind of joke towards the other Blood Champions a few days ago . ]

[I see, so that joke began changing as it was transmitted from one person to another… In short, you don’t know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?]

[I’m sorry, but that’s right . ]

My shoulders dropped .

[Is that so…]

[I’m sorry that I can’t meet your expectations . But, that’s the truth . ]

Eve went back to eating her meat .

While wiping her hands, she asked me .

[Why have you asked about the Witch of Taboos?]

[I guess it’s more of about my research? It’s my dream to be a scholar in the future after all . ]

I take out some of the utensils I bought earlier in my bag .

Showing them towards her .

These are utensils that every aspiring scholars must have .

Well, that’s just my image of them .

[I’m thinking of hiring a mercenary here in Monroy so that I could meet the Witch in the Demon Zone . I may also find some unknown plants that I—]

[You should stop now . ]

Eve vigorously interrupted .

[That place isn’t some place that people could just step into and easily survive . Even me, the strongest warrior of Urza’s Blood Colosseum, can’t survive for almost half a month . I know that this would be rude, but I don’t think you could survive in that place even for 3 days . ]

Looking downwards, I smiled .

There were feelings of gratitude for her mixed with it .

[It seems that Eve-san was worried about me . Thank you very much . ]

Eve showed some unexpected reaction on her face .

Even though she had the face of a leopard, I could properly see some facial expressions on it .

[Fumu . ]

Astonished, Eve exhales out a sigh .

[You’re a softhearted person huh…]

Embarrassed, I scratched my head a bit .

[I was often told that by others . ]

I certainly was told something like that .

Well, it’s back when I was still living with my Uncle’s family .

[Looking at you, you’re still quite young . You should cherish your life more . ]

Eve picks up the silver coin that I placed in front of her .

She then places it in front of me .

[Though I say that… I don’t think I have that much of a persuasiveness as a Blood Champion, people who were known to be crude with their own life . ]

Leaving those words, Eve left the tavern .

With the silver coin back into my pocket, I also left my seat .

I turned towards the door of the tavern where Eve disappeared .

[………… . . ]

They resemble a bit .

I called out to “her” who was standing behind me .

[Misra . ]

[Yes . ]

During the whole conversation with Eve, Seras had been leaning against a pillar near the counter seat .

[Let’s go . ]

[Yes . ]

We promptly left the tavern .

After walking for a bit, we stopped .

[That conversation with Eve Speed just now, how is it?]

Presently, I need to know something first .

Whether she’s lying or not .

That was obviously the first thing I need to know .

That’s right—

[She lied . ]

“Did she really know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?”

Eve’s answered that “she didn’t know” .

Seras Ashrain knows if someone lies .

As I had instructed, Seras leaned on a nearby pillar to listen to our conversation .

It’s so that she could judge the authenticity of her words .

[By denying this, she has shown evidence for us instead . ]

That means—-

[Eve Speed knows the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos . ]