𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕: 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧
“Stop it, don’t kill.”
ㅤ
At my interjection, both Kami-sama and the serpent abruptly halt their actions. The white snakes sprouting from beneath my feet also uniformly stare at me with their golden twin pupils.
ㅤ
“Why stop?”
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The realization that he truly intended to kill sent shivers down my spine.
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“Please stop killing people if you can. It leaves a bad taste when I wake up. . . . . .Please.”
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“If Charlene says so.”
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Although seemingly disgruntled, Kami-sama obediently pulls back the snake.
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“But if someone harms Charlene, there will be no mercy.”
“I get it, I won’t let you kill.”
“. . . . . .”
“Don’t make that face, Kami-sama. You’re not a wicked god, you’re a deity.”
ㅤ
I finish dressing and head downstairs to eavesdrop on their conversation. It seems that they are confronting the store owner in the entrance hall.
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“So, I will definitely remember if there was a woman who came to sell herself alone, without companionship.”
“Even if you hide it, it’s useless. You’re not reluctant to bring her out just because she’s merchandise, right?”
“Why on earth would I risk my store or my life for one woman? What are you talking about?”
ㅤ
I listen in while pondering.
It seems the church is unaware that I am with Kami-sama and that I have assumed the appearance of an 8-year-old.
Well, that makes sense. Even the High Priest shouldn’t know that Kami-sama can materialize in the form of a human male.
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(The Church is looking for Charlene. . . . . .does this mean they suspect that I’m alive?)
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It was the Saint’s Guard Knights who tried to kill me.
But I suddenly remember something that’s bothering me—if they had killed me openly at the saint’s dormitory, it would be obvious that the Saint’s Guard Knights were the prime suspect. There’s no reason to kill me there.
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(Instead of expelling me and claiming I was killed by local thugs or assassins, it would be more convenient for the Saint’s Guard Knights to fabricate a suitable reason. . . . . .Who stands to benefit if I died there?)
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“We’re coming in! You understand?!”
“Stop, please! My regular customers are still sleeping!”
ㅤ
The argument between the knight and the shop owner is reaching its climax.
I’ll think about it later. For now, I have to do something for the shop owner.
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“Kami-sama, I’m going out for a bit. This is getting us nowhere, and it would ruin my morning if they wrecked the store.”
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Kami-sama blinks his deep black eyes.
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“It would end quickly if I killed them.”
“Don’t be silly and end it.”
“I can also erase their memories.”
“. . . . . .Let’s leave that as a last resort. If they go back to the church and their stories don’t add up, it will look suspicious.”
“I still think killing them all would be best.”
“Your alien perspective is a bit too radical. Killing should be a last resort, right? As much as possible, I don’t want people to die because of me.”
“And you think it’s okay if you die?”
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Kami-sama’s pupils turn gold. A primal fear runs down my spine.
I force a squint and a laugh to feign bravery, then lightly tap Kami-sama around his waist.
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“Now’s not the time for bickering, darling.”
“. . . . . .”
“Well, I’ll handle it.”
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I lightly tap Kami-sama’s back and then carefully show my face.
Seeing me, the shop owner looks horrified.
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“Wha, where did this brat come from?!”
“. . . . . .Um. . . Are you by any chance looking for me? Mr. Knight. . . . . .”
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With a teary, innocent gaze, I put on a frightened expression and slowly, step by step, approach him.
Taken aback by the sudden appearance of a little girl, the knight looks utterly baffled.
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“Sniff. . . . . .”
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A single tear spills from my eye.
Once the first tear falls, the rest is easy. I cover my face and start to sob (but making sure my voice is clear and audible), putting on a great show of crying.
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“I’m sorry. I. . .I was sold to a brothel, but the debt collector who brought me here disappeared. . . . . .If I’m lost, here. . . . . .I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please don’t hit me. . .”
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I covered my face, tears trickling down. Whether it’s incoherent or the logic doesn’t add up, it doesn’t matter. As long as the fact remains that a lost girl is crying.
The knights exchanged glances.
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“. . . . . .How old was the girl we were looking for?”
“She’s 18. The blonde hair matches, but. . . . . .We didn’t hear anything about curls, and she seems too young.”
“Huh.”
“A, Ahem, well. . . . . .”
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Sure enough, the knight cleared his throat and began to talk down to me.
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“. . . . . .What’s your name? How old are you?”
“Charte. I’m 7 years old. Maybe. . . . . .I don’t know. . . . . .Please don’t get mad. . . . . .”
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The name Charte, became popular after I assumed the position of the leading saint. If you throw a stone in town, you’d hit at least one person with that name, and if you call it in a place with only children, several would respond. It’s a common name.
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The knights whispered amongst themselves in front of me.
In the end, my age was completely different from Charlene’s, and my curly hair also gave a different impression, so they left the brothel concluding that I was a different person.
The relieved brothel owner turned around and yelled at me.
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“You, it was dangerous because you snuck in!”
Before he could grab me, Kami-sama intervened.
When Kami-sama glared at the owner, he fell down with a loud thud.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Kami-sama, let’s leave this place. Before trouble starts.”
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