Chapter 502: Dropping the Act (1/2)

The time in Kaina Village was 3 PM.

Jin (‘s substitute doll) had gone to the library to see how things were. Reiko was with him.

“What do you think, Shion?”

To his surprise, Shion had already read more than 10 books.

Although their content was rather simple, they were still 10 books of at least 500 pages each. Her reading speed was truly something else.

“Ah, Lord Jin, you have the most wonderful collection! There were so many things I didn’t know about!”

At a glance, Jin found she had picked books such as “First Aid”, “Body Structure”, “Body Relaxation Exercises”, “Cooking and Nutrition”, and “Food Chain”.

These books taught many things by lowering their related subjects to a level where it wouldn’t be a problem for anyone to understand and chew through. Still, there were many concepts used in them that were not in this world, and Shion was actively absorbing them.

On the other hand, Lucas, who was supposed to be Shion’s guardian, was lying down with a book in his hand and taking a nap. It seemed that he wasn’t lying when he said that reading wasn’t his thing.

“Haha, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

Then, an awkward silence. Shion seemed to be aware that something was wrong.

“Lord Jin, did something happen?”

“Hm? Why do you ask?”

“The atmosphere is somewhat different from usual.”

Jin didn’t know if Shion’s discomfort was due to her becoming aware of the substitute doll, or simply out of anticipation of the information he was about to start talking about, but still Shion seemed to feel that something was off.

He then decided that it would be better to cut to the chase, and began with a question.

“Shion, do the names Istalis and Netros ring any bells?”

“Huh!? Where did you hear those names…?”

“Ah, the truth is…”

Jin explained to Shion that he had learned that they had been taken prisoner in the neighboring Frantz Kingdom.

“What did you saaaay!?”

Shion’s shriek echoed throughout the entire library. It was so loud that it caused Lucas to jump out of his sleep.

“Wha-! W-What’s wrong, young lady?”

“My sister was captured? That has to be a lie! And even Netros? I wouldn’t even believe they could capture Lucas, but that Netros? There’s no way!”

Zion was speaking loudly. Her tone was clearly different from before.

“…Shion?”

“Y-Young lady…”

Jin was taken aback, and Lucas was grimacing. And Shion…

“…Ah…”

She soon noticed her own attitude and tone of voice, and her face turned completely red.

“…I-I can’t believe this!”

“…”

“…”

She corrected herself to some extent, but Jin and Lucas remained silent.

Then, after some more awkward silence, Lucas was finally unable to endure the mood a second longer, and muttered a few words.

“…Young lady, I believe it’s time to drop the act.”

“…Huh, right. …Jin, I’ll stop using that sickening manner of speaking, if you don’t mind.”

“O-Oh… Sure, suit yourself…”

It looked like that graceful lady act was hiding Shion’s true tomboyish nature.

“C’mon, Istalis and Netros got captured!? That has to be a lie, right?”

“…No, it’s true. It seems that the mayor of the town of Enak tricked them into his house and then poisoned them…”

“Poison…”

Shion, whose mouth was distorted to the point where Jin could hear the sound of her teeth grinding against each other, squeezed that word out of her mouth with a regrettable expression on her face.

“…What a coward…”

“Yes, that was a very cowardly move.”

“Huh?”

Shion and Lucas both seemed surprised to hear Jin agree with them.

“Don’t you agree? He tricked them into thinking he just wanted to talk and then poisoned their food. How’s that not being a coward?”