Stranger's Handbook - WN Chapter 01-76
Page 23
If I were to say no at that point, it would’ve only meant hell for me.
“Yea, let’s go right away.”
I offered an immediate reply, not wasting time on thinking.
The maids prepared a carriage for us and we departed towards the castle town.
The castle town’s clothing shops…..well, they’re all tailors’ shops.
Everything is custom-made.
We’re going to a shop that my mother-in-law uses frequently.
She recommended it when we told her we were about to head out to buy some clothes for little Toto.
This shop works for the Frontier Count’s Household, so it should be safe.
When the carriage stopped in front on the shop, I saw the employees standing in a line outside, waiting for us.
“Welcome, Beatrice-sama. It’s been a very long time.”
An old woman with strains of white hair saluted.
“Yes, it’s been a long time. I came today together with my fiancé.”
“Oh! The much rumored next 1st Rank? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m the shopkeeper, Tania.”
She held her dress and bend one of her knees in a formal bow.
The next 1st Rank, you say?
You sure know a lot…..Well, for a merchant to be slow in hearing the news would mean a great disqualification.
“I’m Zest. We want to make some clothes for this child today.”
Sitting on my shoulder, Toto smiled and waved her little hand vigorously.
“Well, well, it’s a great pleasure to meet you, lovely spirit-sama. I’ll prepare the best materials for you. Please, come inside.”
We followed Tania inside the shop.
I entered first and Bea was supposed to be right behind me………..But she wasn’t.
What’s wrong? Did she find something delicious-looking and went to try it out?
She’s such a glutton.
I turned around only to see someone taking Bea’s hand.
An unknown man was making a ruckus about who knows what.
Huh? Who the hell is that?
“….Won’t you let go of me already?”
“Don’t be so cold, lovely young lady. Oh! Your skin is so silky. Won’t you give me the pleasure of telling me your name?”
An unknown man was grasping Bea’s hand, grinning broadly.
……Good! I’ll take it as a declaration of war.
I slowly approached the guy.
________
(1) Toto = how can it come from Zest and Bea, you might wonder? Well, in Japanese, Zest would be ‘Zesto’ and Bea would be ‘Beato’, therefore “Toto”…
* * *
Translation: Nana
Proofreading: Carmina
DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii
Chapter 47: The Man Who Aimed at my Fiancée
Yoshi, as promised, chapter 47 is ready…
Expect the next chapter to come on Wednesday . ^^ .
Enjoy! ♪
* * *
Chapter 47: The Man Who Aimed at my Fiancée
“What business do you have with my fiancée?”
I approached and pushed his hand away.
I protectively embraced Bea and lightly brushed her hair, in sign of reassurance.
You’re safe now, don’t worry.
“Fiancée? Heeh? This young lady is way too good for someone like you. To hand her over to me, right…..I’ll give you 20 gold coins. Come now, give her to me!”
He was an arrogant young man with a medium body build.
He was wearing a rather fancy attire. His black clothes were brand new.
One gold coin is about 100.000 yen, so 20 would be 2 million yen (1)……He’s making fun of me.
I ignored him and continued to gently brush Bea’s hair.
Her hair was really soft and thin.
(Dad, what’s with that guy? Is he an enemy?)
Toto was sitting on my shoulder, glaring at the man.
…..What amazing magical powers….She’s releasing as much of an amount as my mother-in-law.
“Toto, stop it. This is a job for them to take care of.”
I said and stopped her.
It would be great to finish this matter with a ‘throwing away punch’, but that would also mean that this place would become an empty lot. Such a magical power that would only result in a major threat for the townspeople, should probably be stopped.
It’s just too scary.
The man didn’t seem to understand what I was saying; irritated, he started to yell.
“Oi! I told you to hand over that woman! You dare to disobey me!? Don’t you recognize these clothes?”
I actually do….You fool, you’ve done it this time…
Enraged, the man was staring at me.
And then, someone tapped his shoulder.
“What? What do you want? I am currently trying to get this woman to……”
He turned his head and what he saw was the town’s soldiers.
Well, when you make a ruckus on the roadside in broad daylight, this is what would normally happen.
“So, what do you want from this young lady?”
The soldiers encircled the man, looking at him with grim expressions.
It’s only natural.
“Furthermore, those black clothes…..You are not from our empire, are you?”
Precisely.
The black attire is exclusively used by the Frontier Count’s Household; it’s a taboo for other people to wear black clothing.
The Frontier Count’s Household is allowing its black knights to wear them however.
In order to avoid mistakes, black has become the distinct color of the Frontier Count’s Household.
The black color is banned for clothes and flags, and since at funerals people normally wear white, it was no problem at all.
Ah, the only exception is Toto.
No one can tell a spirit to follow the men’s rules and she’s basically treated like someone from the family anyway.
Once in a while, an outsider wearing black clothing comes to the empire, causing a major uproar.
……Well, this guy is done for.
“Well, we can thoroughly hear you out at the station. Oi! Take him away!”
Thus, the black impostor was unwillingly taken away…
Black attire fraud….There’s nothing that can be done for these idiots, who show up occasionally.
When we were about to enter the shop again, the soldier called us to halt.
“Wait! I want to hear about the circumstances…..I see……Such a beautiful young lady!”
Grinning, the soldier was looking at Bea.
…….Don’t say?
“So the victim was this young lady……Ze…Zest-sama! Thank you for your contribution!! I’ll go right away to deal with that idiot! Excuse me!”
He ran away, lamenting……What is this? I have a prickling pain in my chest…..
I felt tired.
It would have been better if I would’ve released my stress on that black clothed impostor.
“Erm, Zest-sama…..I’m really starting to feel embarrassed.”
Ah, I was still protectively embracing Bea.
I promptly apologized to her.
“Those two, are they newly-wed?”
“Ahh! Amazing, in broad day light…”
“They’re young after all……”
Yes, I am sorry.
We ran into the shop, attempting to avoid being made fun of for any longer.
But well, after we got inside, Bea started to punch me lightly, her face bright red.
The shop employees were watching all this with tepid eyes. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see them.
I didn’t see them!
Because it was important, I had to repeat it to myself.
The materials the shop keeper prepared were absolutely wonderful.
Since Toto said she didn’t want to change her clothes, they only made some underwear and pajamas f
or her.
Bea took the opportunity to get some clothes done for herself too, so she was consulting with Tania.
As for me? I was quietly enjoying some tea, while agreeing with them once in a while. Yes, I’ve become a ‘yes-answering machine’.
Finally, the measurements were taken and the design was chosen; the goods would arrive in a three-day time, it seems.
We’ve already received Toto’s clothes.
Because she’s so tiny, the seamstress finished them pretty fast.
We thought about returning to the castle, but it was rather early.
Since we were already there, we decided to go look for a good restaurant or something.
We told the driver and he recommended a good shop.
I left it to him, since I wasn’t familiar at all with the imperial capital.
We decided to go there.
The shop was pretty stylish and it also had a beautiful open terrace.
I had the feeling that any girl would love this place.
Bea’s eyes were sparkling.
We asked for some tea and cookies, and we were now savoring them.
“These cookies are so delicious, don’t you think? What is different about them, I wonder?”
Bea was savoring the cookie with a crunching sound.
She looked just like a squirrel.
Toto was challenging the cookie as well, having no intention to lose.
Yes, you two are mother and daughter, there’s no mistaking it.
I sipped some of my tea, while looking at them. I was completely under their charm.
I thought about how great it would be to have some coffee, but lately, I was starting to feel I was already a part of the ‘black tea faction’.
I was also starting to think about not wanting to return to Japan anymore.
Together with Bea and Toto….If I can be with these two, there’s nothing more I can ask for.
I became a little too serious all of a sudden.
So, to change my mood, I looked around the shop.
This was a rather popular shop in the imperial capital, with refined furnishings and a very good taste.
It was only that this shop was full of women, so I felt a little uncomfortable.
We asked for some more cookies, and this time all three of us started to munch.
Bea was wiping away all the crumbles that Toto was leaving behind.
They act indeed like mother and daughter.
A lot happened, but after we enjoyed the delicious cookies and tea, our mood changed completely into a happy one.
Still, it was really unfortunate that I didn’t knock that black clothed impostor down……
We left the shop and started to look after our carriage.
At that moment, I felt someone’s presence, sneaking behind our backs.
Someone else is looking for trouble?……What idiot is it this time?……
“Beautiful young lady, if you don’t mind, I’d like to invite you to have dinner with me. No, there’s no need for you to act with precaution, you can feel at ease. Certainly, I am a dog type kemonobito, but I’m herbivorous, I won’t eat you.”
He grasped his forehead with one hand and looked upwards…..What’s with that stupid pose?
“Albert, you idiot! What do you think you’re doing?”
“Albert, sit!”
(This dog, can I send him away flying?)
Unfortunately, it was out of question; he was part of the Frontier Count’s Army, after all………
_____________
(1) 2 million yen = 19.307$/17.275€
* * *
Translation: Nana
Proofreading: Carmina
DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii
* * *
T/N: Hahahaha….It didn’t go as anyone hoped it would….But I somehow have this feeling that the black clothed guy and the other impostor (the mercenary Zest trained a few chapters ago) will show up again later in the story….So they are not to be ‘finished off’ just yet… Don’t be too disappointed . ^^ .
* * *
Chapter 48: Stupid Dog, Albert
Ohayou, minna…..
Chapter 48 is ready!
Douzo… ^_-
* * *
Chapter 48: Stupid Dog, Albert
“Even though I’m a dog kemonobito, I’m herbivorous.”
“ “ “ “Wahahahahahaha!” “ “ “
“I had a good laugh…”
“Albert-san is such a fool.”
“He’s just a natural airhead.”
“He did think that pose was cool.”
“He’s nothing but a lunatic.”
On our way back, we met the black knights, and they took all their time to thoroughly tease Albert.
“You stupid idiots, shut your mouths! Shut up and walk!”
Albert snapped.
“Albert, you’re the stupid one here.”
“Albert, be silent.”
(This crossbreed dog, is he your pet? He needs more discipline, Dad.)
“Y…yes! Forgive me!”
When they heard we wanted to go out in the castle town, the black knights concluded that they needed to escort us.
At first, they did indeed earnestly escort us, but I discovered them rather fast.
It was when that black clothed impostor showed up.
I did say it, before the guards appeared, right?
That it was a job for those guys.
When I said that, I didn’t refer to the city guards, but to the black knights.
However, they soon lost their interest in providing ‘protection’; the imperial capital was a safe place after all.
They decided they didn’t need such a large number of ‘bodyguards’, so they took turns in watching over us.
Since there were many young and beautiful girls in front of that café, they started to hit on them.
Beaten at his own game, it was decided that I would be in charge of teaching Albert a lesson.
The result…
“It was the first time a vassal tried to seduce me.”
“I am truly sorry!”
Is this….
Albert was now dragged along with us, literally; as the carriage advanced, Albert became pretty beat up.
The sound of him constantly hitting the ground was rather nasty, but as long as it won’t end in instant death, I can still treat his wounds; no problems there.
We finally arrived at the imperial castle.
Albert couldn’t move anymore, so I let him in the black knight’s care and returned to my room.
It was already evening.
The same day, my master, my mother-in-law, Bea, Toto and I would meet up for a family diner.
Bea didn’t have the chance to meet her mother after all.
So I wanted us to have a meal together.
“And then? How far did you two go?”
These words stuck in my trachea…….
Since I was choking, Bea started to pat me on my back.
Master, this is an act of ‘medical’ treatment.
Don’t release your killing intent, please.
“Are you all right, Zest-sama?”
Bea looked into my eyes and asked, visibly worried.
Ah! She’s too adorable.
“Thank you Bea, I’m fine though. Smelling your scent and having my back patted by you, meant a complete recovery from anything I might have had.”
“Stop it, Zest-sama!”
She started to hit me with her tiny fists again.
As I was saying, master, this is……..yup, it’s just flirting.
I’ll try to restrain myself.
“I’m sorry for that. But to answer your question, I can assure you that our relationship is a very pure one.”
It is actually the truth.
Our relationship is indeed pure and ‘clean’.
Mother-in-law got speechless for a short moment, then she started, with a bitter smile.
“This wasn’
t what we asked. We wanted to know where you went today, as in where in the city…….”
“Lies!! Zest, you are lying to me!”
……Wh…what is this?
My mother-in-law asked where we went in the city today, right?
What the hell is master saying then? What lies?
“A pure relationship? Don’t lie to me! I know it pretty well.”
He had a demonic expression on his face.
My mother-in-law looked at him, her face expressionless….. Damn, she’s scary.
Bea and I exchanged glances.
We both looked a bit confused. What was he talking about?
Toto decided that this whole thing had nothing to do with her, so she dedicated herself to eating the cookies.
This is how she was….
“I know it pretty well…..I’ve seen it with my own eyes, you kissing Bea!”
With a rough nasal breathing, my master concluded.
Huh? So you did see that!
Bea was sitting next to me, her face completely flushed, and she started to tremble lightly.
Most certainly…..we did do that.
Was it wrong…..?
Bang….
An ugly, heavy sound reverberated inside the room.
It was my mother-in-law’s iron-ribbed fan.
“Sonia, I wonder where were you when you saw that?”