Chapter 106: Self-Introductions
I finally came beside the inner wall near the large front gate. If we pass through beyond this wall, we would be outside the royal capital. I started walking towards the entrance of the underground sewers. Silently, I arrived at my destination. While keeping vigilance around the area, I carefully removed the grid. As I stepped into the sewers, I also make sure that I put the grid back. If Eve hadn’t come through here, she may have come out through the large front gate. However, I’m going to use this place so that we wouldn’t stand out.
[Milord?]
Seras’ voice. Taking off the mask on my face, I started walking towards her direction. Turning to a corner, I found Seras. I could also see Eve and that girl’s figure. I picked up my luggage that Seras had been looking after.
[My bad, I made you all wait.] [No problem.] [Hati.]
Eve called out. I held out my hand and stopped her.
[Let’s talk while walking.]
After walking for a while, Eve spoke again.
[I’m sorry about earlier. I suddenly lost my mind due to anger…] [You’re more short-tempered than I thought.] […I’m quite ashamed of that.]
After a brief moment, Eve asked.
[And the shopkeeper lady?] [I’ve done what I need to do.] […Is that so.]
It seems that she had understood what I meant.
[I must look pretty naive…] [It’s possible.] […………..] [Putting that aside, is that girl alright?] [Ah, yeah.]
Eve stroked the head of the girl walking beside her.
[Liz, introduce yourself.] [Y- Yes…]
Timidly, the young girl looked towards me and Seras.
[I- I’m Lizbeth… I’m sorry, that’s the only name I’ve known of. Ahh… It’s a bit long, so you can just call me Liz.]
[I’m Touka.]
Liz had an expression on her face that she found something strange. Eve also had the same expression. Until now, they were under the impression that my pseudonym was my real name after all.
[Hati is just a pseudonym. My real name is Touka Mimori.] [So that’s how it is. You’re pretty cautious, aren’t you?] [Well, yeah… Anyway, this swordswoman beside me is Seras Ashrain. She currently had changed her appearance through the power of the spirit.] [I’m in your care, both of you.]
Seras greeted in the end. Eve already knows the identity of Seras. It seems that Liz doesn’t really know that she introduced herself with the name of the former leader of the Holy Knights. After Seras introduced herself again to them, Liz came next to me.
[Touka-sama.]
Bowing her head, Liz spoke.
[I- I will do anything so… Please let me and my sister go with you… I beg of you.]
[…I will be going into a dangerous place after this. It’s possible that you may lose your life there. If you’re fine with that, then I’ll bring you with me.]
[I don’t mind… Even if it’s towards a dangerous place, as long as I’m with my Big Sister…]
[I understand. That’s good.]
Liz sniffs.
[Thank you very much…]
Well, I really intended to take her along with me though…
[……………]
Liz raised her head and peeked at me.
[Are you worried about something?]
Liz looked uneasy ever since she joined our group. I’ve noticed it since earlier.
[Ah, umm… It’s just that… I felt like your voice is a bit different than when you were wearing that King of Flies mask… I’m sorry if I bothered you…] [Ahhh, that headgear had some tweaks included with it. That’s why the voice you heard would be distorted.]
A magic stone that changes the voice— “Gem of Voice Alteration”. It’s one of the magic tools listed in the “Encyclopedia on the Forbidden Arts”. At the time when we were shopping, we luckily found some materials that we needed to make this at the shop in Monroy. I’ve made this in the room at the inn while Seras was sleeping with . Now, it is attached to the mouth section of the fly mask. It seems that the effect lasts for about a day if I were to inject about 100 points of magic energy in it. Initially, I had made it so that it could help Seras change her voice. It could also help in hiding her identity. If the quality of the material also improves, it seems that I could alter the voice even further.
Standing behind me, Eve approached.
[I also have something to ask.]
I turn my head towards her.
[What is it?] [I could hear some kind of strange sound from your body. It sounds kind of watery.] [Ah, that’s another one of our friends.] [A friend?] [I’m just going to inform you beforehand, but he’s not dangerous. Therefore, don’t just suddenly swing your sword towards him, okay?]
I stopped walking.
[Seras, go ahead and look around for the exit. I’ll be introducing Pigimaru towards the two of them.] [Understood.]
Alone, Seras went ahead. I turned towards Eve and Liz.
[Introduce yourself, Pigimaru.] [Pii.]
Coming out of my robe, Pigimaru hops down near my feet.
Pyon~ pyon~
Liz shouted “Ah!” after she saw him.
[Mhmm…? A slime huh?] [Pyuu?]
Pigimaru looked towards me.
[These two are our new friends, Eve and Lizbeth.]
Eve crouched down.
[I’m Eve Speed. Take care of me, Pigimaru.] [Pii!]
Pigimaru holds out his protrusion. Eve gently grasps the tip of the protrusion with her hand.
[Pigii.] [Umu… This guy looks like he’s quite fond of you, huh?] [He’s my important partner after all.] [Pyyuuuu~♪] [U- Umm…] [Pii?]
Liz is kneeling down. She looks quite nervous.
[I’m Lizbeth. Please take care of me… Pi- Pigimaru-san?] [Pigii.]
Flinch
Liz stiffened. I smiled a bit at her.
[Your way of calling him is too stiff.] [Pigimaru… chan?] [Pikyyuuunn~♪] [It seems that he likes it now.]
His color changed into a light pink, Pigimaru extends his protrusion towards Liz.
[It seems he wants to shake hands with you too.] [Ah—]
With a hint of embarrassment on her face, Liz held Pigimaru’s protrusion with both of her hands.
[Please take care of me… Pigimaru-chan.] [Piii♪] […Ehehe.]
Though, she still feels some awkwardness, Liz happily smiles.
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