Chapter 58 - #57 Katsura vs Chelsea (2/2)
'Did he try to distract my mind so I could calm down? And what's that calming warmth?' Chelsea thought with a slightly shocked expression and open wide eyes.
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”Thanks, I guess you aren't so annoying anymore.” She said with a honest smile.
Seeing that honest smile...I couldn't help but...
”While you didn't exactly become more pleasing to eyes but at least it's easier to listen to you~” I said with a playful tone and a smile with closed eyes.
”I take it back!” She shouted and threw a punch right into my face, seeing the nearing fist I only smiled and put my hands behind me.
*Thud*
”Ouch” Chelsea's fist connected with Babara's metal gauntlet.
”Report-NOW.” She said with a sinister smile while looking at Chelsea and she could only hatefully look at me while I only looked at her with a smile and obviously faked puzzled expression.
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'It was his plan for sure! I will really castrate him!' Chelsea thought with narrowed eyes
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”That's everything, 2 of them are hiding in the mountains and most likely that guy who went there together with that woman will be there too. Most importantly, they are definitely strong. One time I had a feeling that they will discover me.” Chelsea finished her report and by the end of her explanation, Taeko was already looking downward with who knows expression.
”Good job, now that we found them, we can finally make our move. You can rest for a bit, Chelsea. But don't be too relaxed, anything unexpected can happen. We will split, I will go deal with those kids hiding in the mountains and you will take care of others in the inn, Taeko.” Babara said and glanced at Taeko who was looking downwards.
I also glanced at her, curious about what she will do.
”...Understood!” She raised her head a bit just to reveal her cold and determined expression.
”Then I will go with you, granny” I said with a playful tone and hands behind my head.
”No...You must ȧssist Taeko, there is even more enemies to deal with inside this inn, I can take care of a few brats myself.” She immediately rejected and shook her head while explaining the reason.
”Are you aware of the fact that man has yet to come back? What if he will come back while you will be battling those kids? I don't mean to underestimate you but those kids aren't talented for nothing plus their teamwork must also be extremely good. And that man is definitely also extremely strong” I narrowed my eyes and questioned her.
”One more reason for you to remain with Taeko. We don't know where he can suddenly pop up so it is safer this way. Don't forget lad, I am Babara Oarburgh, I won't go down so easily not even in a great number disadvantage.” She replied with a confident smile while showing off her teeth.
...She is indeed very experienced to be able to live so long with this profession. But even the most experienced fighters will have their moments of arrogance where they will think that they have vast experience that nothing can surprise them. But it is the truth that Taeko is more vulnerable than her and she is also young so she has a priority.
”Alright but wait a bit, don't move.” I said and approached her while she was looking at me with a confused expression.
I extended my arm together with my index finger and put it right at the location of her heart while averting my gaze in an awkward way.
”?!” Both Taeko and Chelsea were dumbfounded by this and even though Babara was confused, she felt that I had no bad intentions so she let me do my thing.
...
”What was that warm feeling? I felt something wrap around my heart...What did you do, lad?” Once I retracted my hand, she asked me with a confused expression and furrowed brows.
”Nothing much, it won't limit you in any way and only serve me as a signal in case you start losing. So if the emergency arises, just try to delay them for as long as you can and I will take Taeko with me to regroup with you. No need to thank me.” I said with a small smile while pointing at her with my index finger with a carefree expression.
”I don't- whatever. Just make sure that you won't interfere too much, after all-” She wanted to say something with an annoyed expression before stopping herself and when she wanted to remind me of something I interrupted her.
”Yeah, yeah, your big pride as Oarburgh wouldn't allow that. I will do only what is necessary.” I said with a provoking smile.
”Make-up girl, could you reapply the disguise for me just in case?” I asked with a small smile.
”He-he and what will I get for it?” She released a creepy laugh while looking at me with a sinister expression.
”...I won't spank your small ȧss~” I narrowed my eyes before closing them and answering her with a cheery smile.
”I don't have small buŧŧ!! It's just good as it is!” Chelsea shouted at me while taking out her cosmetic tools.
...
We parted ways...Babara went outside of the town while Taeko went to find her first target which would be ideally Cornelia since she will be able to catch her alone since she will be returning from the mountains. I tailed after Taeko from a safe distance while doing my best to hide my presence.
As for make-up girl...she went to explore this town or something along those lines since Babara didn't give her any further instructions.
Taeko quickly made a contact with Cornelia and led her to the abandoned part of the town inside the ruined building. Only half of the ceiling was still stable and on the other side, only pillars supposed to hold the other part of the missing ceiling were still standing still.
I hid behind one of the pillars and observed how will Taeko solve this. However, I doubt that she can kill someone experienced in one surprise attack. Perhaps even I wouldn't be able to do that unless I used overwhelming force in that attack.
”Taeko? What did you want to talk about?” Cornelia asked with a friendly smile but it was visible that she was a little bit wary in this isolated place.
Taeko suddenly put her hand on her katana and quickly turned around while slashing her katana in a vertical wide arc at an incredible speed. However, despite its speed, Cornelia was still able to narrowly dodge that by jumping backward. Taeko's katana was only able to make a small cut on her cheek.
Taeko narrowed her eyes when she saw that her surprise attack failed. And since she already failed, I jumped up at the pillar to sit down so I could have a good view of the incoming fight.
The only thing missing is popcorn but I guess it would be a bit sick to watch the fight to death as some kind of movie.
”?! Taeko, what are you- ?! Katsura?!” Cornelia looked at Taeko with wide-open eyes from evading such a close death. She also noticed me sitting on the pillar watching them with a smile.
”Good afternoon, miss~!” I waved at her with an amused smile and closed eyes.
”I am sorry Cornelia, there is no choice. I must fulfill the contract!” Taeko didn't even take her eyes from Cornelia and told her while reading her katana to attack once again.
”I see...so you are ȧssassins and everything was just a disguise to fool us.” She said and her eyes regained calmness before they turned cold, ready to kill the person in front of her at any time.
”Not everything! We are really married!” I shouted at her with a raised fist, acting a bit upset but she no longer looked at me and only watched the person closest to her who could cause her harm.
Tch, I wanted to create a small opening for Taeko but I guess it's no longer possible.
I thought with a small amused smile.
---Akame's group room inside the inn---
”Akame, I thought that you wanted to go explore delicacies of this town today.” A girl with short light brown hair and a curvaceous figure asked with a confused expression while sitting near the table.
”Yeah, what's wrong? Don't tell me you are ill...” Poney asked with a teasing smile while lying on the ground stomach first and swinging her legs back and forth.
”I know, Tsukushi, Poney. I just can't tell why I feel like something bad is about to happen...Ever since I saw those two...” Akame muttered with a worried expression.
”You mean that married pair, you and Cora met?” Tsukushi asked with a puzzled expression.
”Cora...?! Cora!” Akame muttered a few times Cornelia's nickname before getting up from her seat, wanting to leave the room.
”?! Akame, wait! What is wrong?” Poney immediately jumped on her legs and followed after Akame, Tsukushi did the same as Poney.
”I want to find Cornelia to verify something!” Akame said and burst out of the inn in a full sprint.
”?” Poney and Tsukushi looked confusedly at each other before nodding at each other with a serious expression. They immediately followed after Akame since their day was free anyway and reassuring themselves that everyone is alright won't hurt anyone.