The were-leopard sat at the counter.


The seats on both of her sides were vacant.


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.


Placing one silver coin in front of the were-leopard, I spoke.


[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.]

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