𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭
Carrying the table out from the stand, I spread it out a little onto the road. As I turn to bring the chairs, I find Maurice still seated, so I ask him to get off the stand.
While at it, I also have him bring the chairs, but the way he carries them is precarious. I find myself more exhausted worrying about it than if I had carried them myself.
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“. . .It’s my first time carrying chairs like this.”
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Maurice isn’t a noble anymore since he was disowned, but since being picked up by Dyson, he likely led a life no different from a noble’s.
He stares at the chair as if he’s had a strange experience.
I asked him to carry the chair thinking it wouldn’t be disrespectful since he’s dealing with commoners. I hoped it would buy some time, but I didn’t expect him to comply so readily.
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“Even the table, such a crude thing exists, huh.”
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I think a folding table this light is quite convenient.
But that’s the thought of someone who cleans and moves the tables themselves. For Maurice, a heavy, sturdy table probably holds more value.
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“I’ll have you taste them in the order they were made.”
“Ah, please use this plate.”
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He hands me a plate from a small magic bag.
I knew Maurice used a magic bag from my inquiries at the market. He doesn’t seem to care about standing out, even though he should be hiding, which is somewhat eerie.
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“Ah, this is called a magic bag. Is it your first time seeing one?”
“No, you’ve used it a few times in front of me.”
“Is that so?”
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Aren’t you too uninterested in me?
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“Then, I’ll bring it in.”
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Returning to the stand, I serve curry on a plate that is unusually large yet has little space for the actual food.
Maurice follows and peers over my shoulder, but I ignore him! It’s creepy and close, and I really hate someone standing behind me!
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“Well, shall we eat? . . .There’s no tablecloth or napkin, right? It’s pretty poor service, I think.”
“We don’t have such things. Could you just eat and give your feedback?”
“. . .Commoners don’t use a tablecloth, huh.”
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I was looked at with such pity, but I urged him to eat anyway.
The price for all the inquiries about Marie Ange is to taste the curry. It’s important that he eats properly.
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Maurice tastes just a little of the curry, closing his eyes to savor it.
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“. . .Yes. This is curry. It’s different from what I had before but quite close.”
“Hooray!”
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This confirms that the curry I know and the curry in this world are the same. Now one item on my shop’s menu is decided!
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After tasting two more dishes, the first one was confirmed to be the closest to curry. Hayashi rice was said to be completely different, but I’ll try serving it in the shop once.
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While drinking lassi, Maurice smiles with his usual distant gaze. He’s looking at me but his eyes seem to wander through a dream.
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“. . .You are,”
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Maurice’s voice, about to say something, is cut off.
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“Capture!!”
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Roa-sama’s sharp voice is heard, and Maurice is pushed down.
Either a magic tool was used to hide, or in an instant, many people appear and chaos ensues. As I stumble back trying to retreat, I’m supported by someone behind me.
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“Are you okay? Let’s step back a bit.”
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It was Shiro who had been supporting me.
With his usual bright smile, he suddenly lifted me in his arms. Surprisingly sturdy arms dug into my stomach.
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“Ugh. . .!”
“Excuse me for the emergency!”
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Set down by Shiro, who had run a few meters away, I slumped to the ground exhausted.
After setting me down, Shiro dashed back into the crowd with the speed of a sprinter.
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. . .Running with all my body weight on my stomach is so hard.
Shiro’s acceleration was tremendous. The combined forces of forward momentum and the weight on my stomach played a harmony I wish I had not experienced.
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The place where I was just a moment ago is now a pile of people, and it’s unclear what’s happening. Maurice, who is tall, is nowhere to be seen; he might be pushed to the ground.
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“. . .Hm? What’s that?”
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. . .Clothes like those Maurice was wearing are floating in the air, but that can’t just be my imagination, right?
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“Strip off all clothes! Remove everything before activating the magic tool!”
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I hear Grion’s voice.
Eh, don’t tell me, is he being stripped naked right now?!
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“It’s okay to tear the clothes! Rather, tear them off! We don’t know where anything is hidden!”
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Along with Edgardo’s voice, shreds of clothing flutter in the air.
Capturing is supposed to be more, well not elegant, but I thought it involved tying up with ropes. Like restraining Maurice who is thrashing about.
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Sure, Emilia said that Maurice was protecting himself with a magic tool. The Valka family must be aware of that.
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But I never imagined I would see Maurice’s torn clothes dancing in the beautiful blue sky.
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“All magic tools have been confiscated! Nothing is hidden inside the body!”
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Shiro’s voice echoes.
While my stomach feels nauseous, Maurice has been stripped naked and captured.
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. . .This is not what I expected.
But it’s good he was captured! Yes! It’s good!
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