The were-leopard sat at the counter .
The seats on both of her sides were vacant .
I heard the response of the shop owner as she called .
It feels like she’s quite familiar with the other customers .
For the time being, I turned towards the Ashinto .
They were satisfactory drinking in the inner corner of the tavern .
There’s no sign that they were really conscious about the were-leopard .
Their behaviour were indeed detestable but...
I feel like that were-leopard was already familiar with them .
I think even the other customers were also the same .
This appears to be a response to seeing a famous celebrity who have always been visiting this establishment .
However, no one talks with her .
[I will inquire myself whether this story about the Witch of Taboos we’ve talked about earlier were real . ]
I said towards the men sitting at the same table . Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel⸺fire.net
The man laughed and removed his hand from my shoulder .
[The courage of young people really are great . Well then, we’ll be leaving soon . I’ve drank more than usual, so I got drunk . I want to get some fresh air... urmmff...]
The two of them began leaving their seats .
Staggering, they went out of the tavern .
I promptly went back to where Seras sat .
After listening to their story, I handed a silver coin towards the both of them .
[If something were to happen, I’ll handle it immediately . ]
[I don’t really intend to cause any trouble, though I’ll rely on you when it comes to that . ]
I would like to avoid using my skills in this place if it’s possible .
If such a situation were to happen, I would only rely on Seras’ combat ability .
[I’m counting on you . ]
With a tense expression on her face, Seras places her hand over chest .
I started walking to the counter seats .
And to the seat next to the were-leopard, I sat .
Requested another glass of herbal water .
Placing one silver coin in front of the were-leopard, I spoke .
[Will you allow me to treat you to something?]
Silently, the were-leopard turned towards me .
After a moment of silence...
It seems that she could properly speak the human language .
This means conversation with her is possible .
The were-leopard’s voice is vigorous .
On the other hand, you could also feel calmness in it .
Her voice is also not so rough .
It was clear, free-flowing voice .
[I heard some rumours about you, so I thought of meeting you at least once . You can call me Hati . A mercenary . ]
After naming herself, Eve stared at me for a while .
[Is this your first time seeing a were-leopard?]
[And yet, you hardly showed any curious reactions . ]
I can’t make any careless reply .
I don’t know yet what could trigger her wrong buttons .
With a smile on my face, I said .
[I’ve already seen a lot of things on my travels . It may be rude, but I won’t be surprised seeing a were-leopard . ]
I’m talking about that two-headed humanoid panther monster I’ve met at the Disposal Ruins .
I’ve also heard some things about synthetic beasts from other people .
If I were to compare it to those monsters, I could hardly be surprised with her existence .
Eve is heartily eating her meat in bone dish .
After chomping on it, she began licking away the leftover oil in her hand .
At that time, her cat-like eyes turned towards me .
[That’s a hearty way of eating . ]
[Fumu, don’t you hate looking at someone uncivilized like me?]
She’s trying to measure up something .
She suddenly shown off such a manner of eating .
It seems that she’s trying to see my reaction .
[I can’t really say I’m a refined person myself . Besides, it’s best to eat deliciously rather than minding how you eat . Ah— Speaking of which, you’re a Blood Champion—]
[State your business . ]
[You didn’t meet me because I’m a Blood Champion . Am I mistaken?]
An embarrassed smile appeared on my face .
[I- I got caught huh... I guess that’s to be expected...]
Well, I had an atmosphere that says I really have a purpose .
It’s good that she easily noticed it .
[So, what’s your business?]
So, she’ll hear me out huh...
Timidly, I listened to her .
[It was said that you know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos...]
[That witch is in Golden Demon Zone . Anyone already knows about this rumor . ]
[I have heard that you knew exactly where “her whereabouts” in that Demon Zone...]
A muffled laugh came out from Eve’s mouth .
[So, you’re one of those people who believed in the rumors you heard from one person . ]
[Are you saying that the rumors I’ve heard about were fake?]
[Yeah . It was indeed the truth that I’ve met a witch when I went inside the Golden Demon Zone . However, I’ve never met the Witch of Taboos . ]
[What about that story where you only said her whereabouts to your fellow Blood Champions?]
[...I’ve been wandering about in the Demon Zone for two weeks at that time . Just as I thought that I would die, I was saved by the Witch of Taboos’ magic— I remember saying this kind of joke towards the other Blood Champions a few days ago . ]
[I see, so that joke began changing as it was transmitted from one person to another... In short, you don’t know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?]
[I’m sorry, but that’s right . ]
My shoulders dropped .
[I’m sorry that I can’t meet your expectations . But, that’s the truth . ]
Eve went back to eating her meat .
While wiping her hands, she asked me .
[Why have you asked about the Witch of Taboos?]
[I guess it’s more of about my research? It’s my dream to be a scholar in the future after all . ]
I take out some of the utensils I bought earlier in my bag .
Showing them towards her .
These are utensils that every aspiring scholars must have .
Well, that’s just my image of them .
[I’m thinking of hiring a mercenary here in Monroy so that I could meet the Witch in the Demon Zone . I may also find some unknown plants that I—]
[You should stop now . ]
Eve vigorously interrupted .
[That place isn’t some place that people could just step into and easily survive . Even me, the strongest warrior of Urza’s Blood Colosseum, can’t survive for almost half a month . I know that this would be rude, but I don’t think you could survive in that place even for 3 days . ]
Looking downwards, I smiled .
There were feelings of gratitude for her mixed with it .
[It seems that Eve-san was worried about me . Thank you very much . ]
Eve showed some unexpected reaction on her face .
Even though she had the face of a leopard, I could properly see some facial expressions on it .
Astonished, Eve exhales out a sigh .
[You’re a softhearted person huh...]
Embarrassed, I scratched my head a bit .
[I was often told that by others . ]
I certainly was told something like that .
Well, it’s back when I was still living with my Uncle’s family .
[Looking at you, you’re still quite young . You should cherish your life more . ]
Eve picks up the silver coin that I placed in front of her .
She then places it in front of me .
[Though I say that... I don’t think I have that much of a persuasiveness as a Blood Champion, people who were known to be crude with their own life . ]
Leaving those words, Eve left the tavern .
With the silver coin back into my pocket, I also left my seat .
I turned towards the door of the tavern where Eve disappeared .
They resemble a bit .
I called out to “her” who was standing behind me .
During the whole conversation with Eve, Seras had been leaning against a pillar near the counter seat .
We promptly left the tavern .
After walking for a bit, we stopped .
[That conversation with Eve Speed just now, how is it?]
Presently, I need to know something first .
Whether she’s lying or not .
That was obviously the first thing I need to know .
“Did she really know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?”
Eve’s answered that “she didn’t know” .
Seras Ashrain knows if someone lies .
As I had instructed, Seras leaned on a nearby pillar to listen to our conversation .
It’s so that she could judge the authenticity of her words .
[By denying this, she has shown evidence for us instead . ]
[Eve Speed knows the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos . ]