Chapter 103 - #102 Spear (2/2)

”Oh...It's nothing to worry about, it was partly also my fault!” She replied with a cheerful tone and a friendly smile while also apologizing. She patted her buŧŧ to get rid of dust and dirt.

”...Are you alright?” I wanted to continue my exploration of the town but she was blocking my way and it looked like she was looking at me with expectation. I had no idea what she wants so I decided to ask a question anyone would ask.

”Ah! Yes, sorry for bothering you. My name is Spear by the way, may I know yours?” She asked me with a smile while holding her hands behind her back.

Spear...? I thought for a while and then I remembered Mera's words before I left their hideout.

'Your former Prime minister Chouri seems to also have a daughter. Her name is apparently Spear and she is also traveling with him. She is also a disciple of the Imperial Fist so she knows how to protect herself but from what I have heard, she is definitely not a threat to you.'

Well, I can't be luckier, can I? I doubt that there are more girls with a name Spear in this town, she must be the one. I have yet to find out Chouri's hiding place and looking through the entire town would be bothersome. Thankfully I met his daughter, I can try to befriend her for the sake of better cooperation with him or I can simply let a few of my Wrigglers follow her. However, they can't remain outside in this weather for too long and I have no idea where she is going.

”Nice name, you must be devoted to martial arts. My name is Akashi, which means crimson.” I took off my hood stuffed with fur and showed her my red hair together with my red eyes before I extended my hand to her.

”...Y-yes I can see why. It's nice to meet you, by the way, how did you know that I like martial arts? You hit the nail on the head with that...it can't be just my name alone, right?” She stared at me for a while before taking my hand and shaking with it a few times before letting go.

”Looking at your figure and judging from your strong determined eyes I can guess that you are eager to make a name for yourself in the field of martial arts.” I said while pointing at her eyes with a smile.

”I see...You don't look like you are local, do you perhaps need to get to somewhere?” She nodded her head with a satisfied smile and then asked me while curiously looking at my clothes.

Although I had clothes similar to Northern people, it could still be visible that I am someone from a small village instead of a big town.

”I actually arrived here just a few hours ago and I am looking around to see what this town has to offer.” I replied with a small friendly smile.

”Ooh? Then do you want me to be your guide?” She asked me with a curious tone and slightly expectant look.

”Of course, it would be nice to have someone who lives here show me around but I wouldn't want you to waste your time on me.” I replied with an embarrassed tone while scratching the back of my head.

”Don't worry about it, I was about to go and eat breakfast, we can eat together while I will guide you through the entire town. So...what do you say, Akashi?” She quickly explained herself while waving with her hands to deny my words before she asked me with an expectant smile.

”Sure, I will pay for your breakfast as thanks for going out of your way to help me look around.” I said with a bright smile and closed eyes and thus we went towards the restaurant that Spear selected.

Meals weren't exaggeratedly expensive and some of them were even too cheap so I deduced that although she easily accepted my offer, she still didn't want me to spend too much money on her.

Anyway, she is a bit too trusting...I mean, my acting skills aren't bad combined with how high my charisma is...there is a low chance that she would be able to see through my intentions unless she would already know me. But there still must be some kind of reason for her to go out of her way like this...

I thought while we were eating our meals in one of the restaurants.

”Akashi, what you are doing for a living?” She suddenly asked me with a bright satisfied smile while she was eating her meal.

”Hm? Mostly hunting.” I raised my head from my meal to look at her with a slightly surprised expression and then I replied with a small smile.

I am actually not lying here, there is some truth in it.

”Really?! So you must be strong...what kind of Danger Beasts are you hunting? Or did you mean normal animals?” She instantly asked with sparkling eyes before she looked at my delicate skin on my hands with a bit of doubt in her eyes.

”I am mostly hunting Snow Trolls and others that are around Class 3 - Class 2 strength.” I replied with the same smile not being offended by that speck of doubt in her eyes

”Oh?! Really?! How about we go out for practice after we are done looking around?” She was slightly surprised by my words but it was apparent that she was pleasantly surprised, then she asked me in anticipation.

”...Maybe later after our tour around the town ends. Let's see how exhausted we will be at that time.” I replied with a helpless smile.

Maybe I should have just said that I am a farmer or something. Well, as long as she will lead me to her father, I don't mind spending time with her. No...Maybe if we will go out and we will be attacked by some large strong Danger Beast, I can use it as a situation where I will save her and her father will also have a better opinion of me. I need to start gathering capable and honest people who are good at leading the country. There aren't many people like that so I have to be careful with Chouri.