Chapter 28 - #28 Babara Oarburgh (2/2)

We followed right after her. After we descended the stairs, we went behind the counter and to the kitchen where we stopped.

”Please wait a second!” The woman said and moved the table and carpet under it away, revealing a pretty big trapdoor.

Hmm...To show us such a secret. I guess I really caught her interest.

We used a ladder leading to the underground and traveled for some time through the tunnels before we once again used a ladder to go up above the ground.

We appeared inside some kind of cottage.

”You can change here, hot springs are just a few meters away from here.” The woman said with a smile.

”Alright, you girls can change, I will wait outside with this kind young lady.” I said and didn't leave any chance for that woman to remain here with them.

”Young lord, I don't mind you changing here with us...” Ichika said with a straight face.

”Don't be an idiot.” I only left her these words before leaving together with the woman who led us here.

----Inside the cottage----

”Hauu, so cold. Is that because of my age?” Ichika muttered with a depressed expression.

”Um...” Kurome wanted to say something but she wasn't sure how to call Ichika, she knew her name but she wasn't sure if she can call her the same way as she is calling Akashi.

”Hm? What is it, little Kurome? You can call me Ichika Onee-san!” Ichika puffed out her ċhėst while pointing at herself with a thumb with a wide smile.

”Um...Ichika, do you like...Akashi?” Kurome asked a question that surprised Ichika.

”That's...I don't know. I definitely respect young lord a lot and he will definitely become extremely handsome once he grows up but I am not entirely sure what exactly ”like” means...” Ichika muttered with an absent-minded expression while she was taking off her clothes.

”...So even Ichika doesn't know?” Kurome asked with an innocent and confused expression.

----Akashi's POV----

When we walked out of the cottage, I immediately noticed small mountains not too far away from us. I even noticed a bit of steam in the air which must mean that the hot springs are really close to this cottage.

While we were waiting for the girls, I was talking with the woman about this place.

Until I felt something sharp poking my clothes.

”Your guard is too lax, son” Older woman's voice came from behind me.

I turned my head to the side to look at the person behind me and to show them my wide grin.

”Are you sure about that, granny?” I asked and gestured for her to look down.

”?! When did you...” She muttered when she saw a dagger sticking out from under my armpit, aiming for her heart.

”I know how irresistible is the feeling when you see someone with a lax guard. Even the most experienced ȧssassins can't turn down that offer of a free and easy kill. I made myself look unguarded on purpose because I knew that you would try something like that.” I said with a smirk while glancing at her with my half-asleep eyes.

---

'This kid actually led me, legendary Babara Oarburgh, into a trap? He actually read my intentions without even meeting me...This kid is really scary. I have to keep a good relationship with him or kill him immediately. But it's the truth that I really underestimated him due to him being a kid. What a failure.' Babara thought with a defeated expression.

---

She stopped pointing her dagger at my back so I also took my dagger away and put it back into my sleeve.

”Kid, you are really good. It's almost unbelievable that you aren't one of us yet you are so experienced. I am Babara Oarburgh, the one you are looking for.” She said and extended her arm for a handshake.

Hm? I would have never thought that ”legendary” ȧssassin would actually offer a handshake for a kid. It seems like she acknowledged me after this little exchange but I still need to be careful around her. This was just a little game, nothing more.

”Akashi Phoenix.” I accepted her hand and told her my name.

From what I have heard, they shouldn't have any problems with my family.

”Hm? You are from the Capital, from that family, huh?” Babara seemed slightly surprised when I told her my name.

I nodded my head and took a better look at her.

Gray hair and purple eyes, purple clothes. Interesting, those clothes are also made from the material I am unaware of. Her aura is quite fierce and violent for an ȧssassin. I guess she also likes to fight head-on.

”I must say that I am flattered to be eyed by such a handsome young man but I am no longer young...You should focus on girls around your age category” Babara noticed me observing her so she tried to tease me to stop me.

”Haha, you still look very young, miss Babara!” I said with a wide smile while showing off my white teeth.

This type of teasing might work for a normal boy, not for me, I know why you are saying that, heh.

”Well, well, what a nice and polite young man!” She immediately retracted her violent aura when she heard my words and smiled happily.

Huh? Was this enough to make her satisfied? To mention that she looks young?

I thought with a weird expression on my face.