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A/N: 11/4 – Number of [Spider Legs], corrected from 4 to 6. Because it looks stronger that way.
T/N: Yes, this is a different chapter but it is just numbered this way.
The sun sets a little earlier than on the ground, and the smell of dinner is wafting through the street lined with lamps.
“Welcome back.” (Yoshitsune)
Yoshitsune greets me in the lobby of the inn. I heard that neither Utsuki nor Kure had returned.
“Well, let’s go back to the room and sort out the information.” (Shuu)
The goal of our group was to deliver the governor’s letter directly to the Sect Leader, the de facto head of the village. The quest would not be complete without having the letter opened in front of them, but the village leaders were reluctant to have direct contact with the Sect Leader and outsiders.
“And have friendly exchanges with the Carbuncles. I have acorns ready for them.” (Aomoto)
“Ms. Aomoto, please do that later.” (Shuu)
As a person, I would like to make things right with Tamiko and her dad, but I’ll put it off for now to give them time.
“First of all, about the Sect Leader… As expected, the residents’ mouths were very closed.” (Yoshitsune)
“It was the same here, even with Tamiko.” (Shuu)
Talking about them to an outsider was treated like a taboo.
“Well, the little kid Carbuncle told me a little bit about it… I was a little skeptical if they really exist.” (Shuu)
— a beautiful sister with white hair.
That was the common testimony of the fluffy kids. Perhaps it was not white hair, but albino hair.
“I heard it from the immigrants who work in the workshop and on the farm. I heard that the position of the Sect Leader is not hereditary through bloodline, but is appointed by the chiefs and other carbuncle leaders from among the tribe. The last time they replaced them was about ten years ago.” (Yoshitsune)
“What are the criteria for selection? Fur color?” (Shuu)
“No, I heard that the previous generation didn’t have white hair. At any rate… it seems that only females can be candidates.” (Yoshitsune)
Is there some kind of priestess squirrel selection test? The Sect Leader is in charge of the management of the village.
“The Sect Leader is rarely directly involved in the management of the village. As the village chief says, he retreats to the shrine at the base of the sacred tree during the day, and only appears before the residents once a year on the day of the Tree Festival.” (Yoshitsune)
“Tree Festival?” (Shuu)
“It is a festival to give thanks to the sacred tree that protects the village. It is held only for the residents and their inner circle, so outsiders like us are not allowed to participate.” (Yoshitsune)
“…By the way, are they planning to do that in the near future?” (Shuu)
“Around the end of next month? It’s still a long way off.” (Yoshitsune)
Hearing the word “festival” brought bad memories to my mind, but I’m glad it didn’t raise any flags for the time being.
“I wonder what the governor wants with that carbuncle child?” (Shuu)
There is no doubt that she is a symbolic existence for the residents of the village and a spiritual pillar, but what kind of business would the governor of Tokyo go out of his way to send a message to her?
“Well… I have no idea, but I’m not the kind of person who would involve other people in futility or drunkenness. It’s all the more so because they’ve purposely relied on Mr. Abe.” (Yoshitsune)
“Hmm…” (Shuu)
Well, everything will move forward if we can hand over the letter.
“So, about the essential instruction ‘hand the letter directly’… What should we do?” (Shuu)
“What should we do…” (Yoshitsune)
Aomoto said, “I tried to talk directly to the village chief again, but it was like pushing a mountain.”
If that’s the case, it would be difficult to do it the normal way.
“How about sneaking in?” (Noa)
“Oh, that’s a very naughty idea, especially for Noa.” (Shuu)
The village has a tall fence around the sacred tree. However, it is easy for a hunter to climb or breakthrough.
“ I was secretly watching from the roof today,” Yoshitsune said. “The shrine is located at the back of the building, near the entrance to the townhall. There are always security guards and men in fur coats around there, so it may be difficult to approach without being spotted. Worst case scenario, we could just push our way through.”
“Hey, wait.” (Shuu)
“Of course, it’s a last resort. But—His Excellency’s orders are absolute.” (Yoshitsune)
The smile that floated when he said that had a different kind of intimidation than Diana’s. He is serious, I can be sure of that, even though we have known each other for only a short time.
“I understand how Mr. Kang feels, but for the sake of Sugamo, I hope you will refrain from any indiscretion. I don’t know what the ‘Beast Berserker’ inside me would do if I were to be banned.” (Aomoto)
“That’s mostly personal.” (Shuu)
“Well, let’s explore the situation a little more… Next, about the whereabouts of Mr. Kure and Ms. Utsuki.” (Yoshitsune)
The seriousness of the situation clearly diminishes when you move on to that topic. Noa made tea, Tamiko nibbled on a rice cracker, and Aomoto watched with both hands on her cheeks.
“As for Mr. Kure, I was able to track him down to where the uncle at the mushroom farm treated him to dinner last night. It seems that he was hanging out on the north side of town, but I don’t know where he went after that. There was no fight, by the way.” (Yoshitsune)
“Some people said they saw Ms. Utsuki on this side of town, but we couldn’t find her. I don’t know how the little girl can make herself invisible with that conspicuous figure. …Tamiko?” (Shuu)
Tamiko lifted her face from the rice cracker, her ears twitching.
I, who sensed her intention, stood up and approached the door while suppressing the sound of my footsteps.
As soon as he pulls it open in one breath, a shadow runs away down the hallway. As Tamiko jumps out of the way, a scream is heard around the corner. A scream is heard just around the corner.
“Tie them, squeak!” (Tamiko)
A trembling man is down with a terrifying squirrel clinging to his neck.
“Don’t move, squeak. If I squeeze you’re done, squeak” (Tamiko)
“H-help me…” (Man)
“Tamiko… Good job.” (Shuu)
A familiar face—the merchant who accompanied us from the lodgings of Shiinachou. For the time being, we take him back to the room, surround him, and make him sit on his knees.
“No, you know… We outsiders and we a just a small fry. We’d be banned if we got into trouble…” (Merchant)
“I want to cause trouble.” (Shuu)
For “now”.
“About the girl who was with you-” (Merchant)
“Eh?” (Shuu)
“Eh?” (Aomoto)
Our eyes widen as we look at each other.
“By any chance, do you mean Ms. Utsuki? She hasn’t come back since yesterday, and we have been looking for her.” (Shuu)
“…no, I know nothing…” (Merchant)
“Tamiko.” (Shuu)
“Squeak” (Tamiko)
Tamiko wraps around his neck like a neck warmer. Tamiko then throws her family’s most famous weapon, the “Ouroboros Squirrel Sleeper Choke”. He taps out in less than two seconds.
“I was going to pretend I didn’t see her… But in this town, the residents are absolute, and if we don’t like it, we can’t do business here.” (Merchant)
“What did you see?” (Shuu)
“Last night… that girl was arguing with the town’s men. She was surrounded, and then she was taken somewhere–” (Merchant)
“–Oh, yes, they just took her to the shrine.” (Kure)
The whole group looked back toward the sliding door. Who is standing there?
“Hello, everyone, I’m back. Did you miss me?”
It is Kure. Immediately Noa throws a cushion and Tamiko throws a teacup.
“Well, since I experienced various things at Sugamo last month, I’ve become a little interested in the dark side of society, the secrets of the sect, and other ghastly topics. I’ve been looking around since yesterday. I thought it would be a rural town with warm fluffs, but it’s quite a shady place, isn’t it?” (Kure)
“I’m surprised you didn’t get found,” said Yoshitsune. “People and Carbuncles keep an eye out everywhere.”
“Well, let us skip that—Ms. Utsuki, she was just taken over the fence. It looks like she was put to sleep, and the guards took her.” (Kure)
“Really?” (Shuu)
What happened? Was she arrested for disorderly conduct?
“It felt like I was stealthily taking advantage of the shadows, and it was a really small villainous move. Besides… She was there too, Ms. Super-strong-looking Guard Captain.” (Kure)
Diana?
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