𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐲𝐮𝐢 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝
This town seems to be the second largest in the Valka domain. People of all ages and genders come and go, a diverse crowd indeed.
There are two markets, and the plan was to visit the nearer one first. It’s about an hour’s walk, so it will be a leisurely stroll to take in the ambiance of the town.
ㅤ
I briskly walked to the market and arrived just after noon, and no shops had closed yet.
The stalls were packed tightly, and the rain covers were vivid. Vegetables, meat, and fish were displayed, creating a lively atmosphere.
There was a herb shop a little further on, so I decided to have a look. If Maurice Maigret had been here, he surely would have purchased something.
ㅤ
“Hello there. May I take a look?”
“Welcome! Feel free to look around as much as you like. We only keep fresh stuff here!”
ㅤ
The shop was manned by a cheerful auntie. Perhaps because this is related to food and drink, there were many women at the stalls.
ㅤ
“You have such a wide variety! It’s hard to choose.”
“Go on, look around, buy lots! Ahahaha!”
“Well then, maybe I will buy a lot!”
ㅤ
This kind of lively exchange was enjoyable, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a while.
Rene and Shiro, who were peeking into shops and talking to vendors separately, didn’t seem perturbed in the slightest.
ㅤ
“But actually, I do plan to buy a lot. Are there others who buy as much?”
“There are, but you don’t need to worry about that. Just buy from other shops.”
“If that person doesn’t get angry, then it’s fine.”
“Hmm. . . I think it will probably be okay.”
ㅤ
The auntie stopped speaking at a point of concern, and looked me up and down thoroughly.
ㅤ
“You’re a pretty young lady, so it might be better to be careful.”
“Eh? Is there someone dangerous?!”
“Can’t say for sure. He jokes around and pays well, but his eyes are. . . a bit off.”
ㅤ
It was Maurice Maigret.
This matched the information Caroline had provided.
ㅤ
“Is the person blind?”
“No, not that. It’s like his eyes don’t smile. . . well, never mind. The items that man buys from us are always the same, so if you plan to buy them, leave a little for him, will you?”
“What should I leave?”
ㅤ
The auntie, without any particular suspicion, told me what the Maigret-like figure always buys.
ㅤ
“Thank you. Then, I’ll buy everything else.”
“Thanks a lot!”
ㅤ
Today, instead of the conspicuous magic bag, I carried a basket back commonly used by the locals.
After filling it with herbs and getting some cooking advice, I left the shop.
I shopped at other stores and listened to conversations while sipping juice I bought. After various detours, it took a while to reach the end of the one-way market street.
ㅤ
Next, I planned to take a side street next to the market to head to where I would catch a carriage.
Just a different street over, the main shops changed to those selling crockery, cooking utensils, and clothing, significantly altering the impression.
I inquired about Maurice Maigret while shopping here as well, but sightings dropped sharply in this area.
ㅤ
Leaving the town and walking for a while, I found the carriage I was supposed to take and quickly got on. After a bit, Rene and Shiro boarded the carriage at intervals.
The carriage started moving smoothly soon after.
ㅤ
“Let’s go back ahead of them. They are scheduled to return on a different carriage.”
“We came on one carriage, is that okay?”
“Yes. The servants have prepared another one for us.”
ㅤ
The unseen elderly couple’s servants are truly remarkable!
It’s not because they’re old that they’re at the villa, but rather their incredible trustworthiness as skilled servants that makes it feel like they truly manage the place.
ㅤ
“. . .Wait, why is the carriage moving when there are three of us here?”
“One of the servants must be acting as the coachman.”
“Really. . .?”
“Yes. It’s said so, so rest assured.”
“We also made sure to verify everything thoroughly.”
ㅤ
It’s really like a ninja, the way they never show themselves!
ㅤ
“Even I easily gathered sighting information on Maurice, but what about the two of you?”
“The same here. It seems certain that Maurice Maigret is in the vicinity.”
“He doesn’t seem to be hiding himself. He’s not using his real name, and he’s not in disguise. . . I wonder if Dyson allows this.”
“He must be aware.”
ㅤ
As for Dyson, there are many things that are unclear. Normally, you would expect someone who makes poison to be hidden.
ㅤ
“I inquired about what Maurice Maigret usually buys.”
“That’s great, Alice! I asked about the likely days he might come next, and where he might live.”
“I did the same. Since he’s likely to come the day after tomorrow, we should go to the market tomorrow just to be sure.”
“The two of you are amazing! I’m starting to feel like this might work out!”
ㅤ
Upon returning to the villa, Roa-sama and the others also returned.
Emilia seems a bit tired, but not to the point of being bedridden. It’s good that the medicine seems to be working.
We sit and talk while sipping on the quietly prepared herbal tea.
ㅤ
“Through my connections, I’ve inquired about Maurice Maigret. The information is from a reliable source, and it matches what you heard at the market, so it’s highly credible. If we spot Maurice Maigret again, we should follow him and find out where he lives to search for evidence.”
“That’s true, but don’t think it will be easy to investigate. There’s definitely something.”
ㅤ
Indeed, it’s hard to believe there’s nothing set up when doing something that would mean instant trouble if discovered.
ㅤ
“It might even explode, right?”
ㅤ
Saying what came to mind, everyone was taken aback.
ㅤ
“If he’s about to be caught, blowing up the laboratory to destroy evidence seems likely, doesn’t it?”
“. . .It’s possible. We don’t know what kind of person Maurice Maigret is, but Dyson might do it.”
“We need to investigate carefully. Even with anti-burglary magic tools, we may not come out unscathed.”
“Exactly. Moreover. . . there’s too much information. While acting, we should consider that this information might be a lie to bait us.”
ㅤ
Nodding to each other, we savor the day’s achievements.
It might be false information, but it’s certain that Maurice Maigret is near this town. It’s a significant advance compared to when we fled from the Knight Order.
ㅤ
“Since we’re here, why don’t we make something with what we bought today?”
ㅤ
Standing up, I go to the kitchen and find Prep-kun and Cooker-kun.
ㅤ
“To think that you two would be here too. . .!”
ㅤ
Overwhelmed with emotion, I hug them without thinking.
I never thought Prep-kun and Cooker-kun would be here in a noble’s villa. If they have souls, I believe they’ve followed us from the Fourth Knight Order.
With the two of them here, there’s nothing I can’t make!
ㅤ
“Shall we make some tonkatsu after a long time? For victory, it’s tonkatsu!”
“That sounds great! Has it been since we ate at school? Since it’s a special occasion, shall we also eat Pirui of the Umaika together?”
“Can you eat the Pirui of Umaika?!”
ㅤ
It’s come up a few times, but in the end, is it a mysterious creature that’s not understood? The Pirui of Umaika.
ㅤ
“You can eat it. The Pirui is a lucky charm. But it’s only for the Umaika.”
ㅤ
“Pirui comes in so many varieties?!”
ㅤ
“Um, what is the Pirui of Umaika like. . .?”
“As you know, the Umaika is fast, and it’s very difficult to catch alive.”
ㅤ
“Is that so?!”
“Even if you say ‘as you know’, I don’t know anything!”
ㅤ
“The Pirui is even more so. The Pirui of Umaika is said to bring victory. It’s commonly pickled in vinegar.”
“Then, I’ll pickle it in sweet vinegar.”
“Please do! I’m happy to eat tonkatsu and Pirui together.”
ㅤ
Arthur is all smiles, and everyone else has the same expression, but I’m the only one who can’t get on board.
The mystery of the Pirui of Umaika only deepens.
ㅤ
I didn’t know if there was anything unusual in this villa, but when I searched, I found the Pirui properly.
It’s coral-colored and limp, with something that looks like suckers on it.
ㅤ
“This. . . it’s like food that is more than the sum of octopus and squid legs!”
ㅤ
When I tried a bit of the boiled one, it tasted like a combination of octopus and shellfish, with the texture of squid.
ㅤ
“It’s delicious but. . . I understand why it’s pickled in vinegar but. . . it’s somewhat. . .!”
ㅤ
It’s different from what I imagined! I thought it would be like the tail of a horse-like creature because it’s called Umaika!
I was left with an unresolved sense of dissatisfaction, but the sweet vinegar pickle was delicious.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
- Itachi Uchiha: The Ultimate Husbando?
- Why You Can Read Light Novels But Can’t Speak English: A Guide to Unlocking Your Inner Voice
- Goku Goes Yandere: A Dragon Ball Z Nightmare
- Yo, What If China Invaded Japan? Would Yokai Help Out?
Leave a Reply