Volume 8, Chapter 3 – The Quirky Girl

“You—”

“Shh!”

Before Yisi could speak, the girl identified on the [Omniscient Map] as Alice Wozwahl hurriedly waved her hands, pleading for Yisi to remain silent.

Yisi couldn’t help but glance at the other person in the carriage besides Mary and Alice.

It was a very weak girl, leaning against the carriage wall. Her entire body was wrapped in a single piece of yellowed white cloth for clothing, and with her eyes shut tight and face beaded with sweat, she was clearly ill.

These two girls probably snuck in while the soldiers weren’t looking, right after the inspection was finished. Although Yisi felt that the girl making the “shush” gesture could certainly afford the five-copper entrance fee—just her identity as a Wozwahl, the head of which was one of the three great dukes of the Hels Kingdom, would be enough to make those city guards bow their heads in terror—the fact that she chose to sneak in meant she had her reasons.

Did something happen?

In that split second, Yisi’s mind raced.

There were two possibilities for her “reasons.” First, the girl had snuck away from home on her own and couldn’t let her family know. Second, something had happened between the Wozwahl family and the royal family, to the extent that members of the family could not freely enter or leave the capital, and would be in mortal danger if discovered.

As far as Yisi was concerned, she was more inclined to the first possibility. However, if it was the second, and there was a conflict between the Wozwahl family and the crown, then by hiding the girl’s presence and bringing Alice Wozwahl into the capital, she would undoubtedly be guilty of harboring a criminal. Not only would she be troubled by the royal family, but she would also bring trouble upon the Ymir Church.

Considering her own self-interest, the choice was already clear.

—Take this girl into the city.

If this were a woman reeking of alcohol or a foul-smelling man, I would have undoubtedly thrown her out of the carriage immediately. But this is a cute girl with blonde twin tails. Those soft, lively twin tails captured my aesthetic-loving heart the moment we met. If I were just some Lv.1 nobody, I might have actually considered my own safety and handed her over, but I have 427 levels backing me up. I can be as reckless as I want.

Not to mention the possibility that the girl really did just sneak away from home. In that case, I would be doing her a favor. Later, if I need an introduction to meet a craftsman who forges magic weapons, Alice Wozwahl, born into a ducal house, would undoubtedly be an excellent person to recommend me.

I’ll have to threaten her a bit.

Seeing Alice Wozwahl’s eyes darting about as if she were plotting something, Yisi didn’t mince words, pretending not to know her identity.

“Who are you? This is my carriage.”

As if she had heard something unbelievable, the girl’s eyes instantly went wide.

“You-you don’t know who I am!”

“Hey, what’s going on?”

A soldier’s inquiry came from outside the carriage. The girl’s expression turned anxious again. She deliberately lowered her voice, pleading with a pitiful look—after seeing Evelyn’s acting, Yisi could already tell that this pity was not genuine, but a deliberate pose to gain sympathy.

“Please, I’m just borrowing your carriage for a bit. I won’t cause you any trouble. Name your price after we get into the city, it doesn’t matter how much!”

“Do you have that kind of money?”

“I really do!”

“Then let’s say ten gem coins. I only want gem coins, you can’t use anything else as collateral,” Yisi said, casually naming a price that even she couldn’t produce. “For all I know, you have ulterior motives, maybe you want to assassinate the king. I can’t afford to be charged with harboring rebels, so you have to name a price that will move me. Otherwise, I’m handing you over.”

As if on cue, the soldier outside the carriage questioned them again.

“Hey, what are you dawdling for? Get a move on!”

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This time, the sound of approaching footsteps was added to the mix.

It was these footsteps that forced the girl’s final attempts at bargaining back down her throat. Her pitiful act vanished, replaced by an expression of resignation.

“I don’t have a single platinum coin. Father has already cut off my allowance. If I get caught this time, I’ll never be able to get out again. I just want to save these poor people. Please, I’m begging you, just this once.”

Is she really just a child?

If I just push her a little, she spills everything. If Alice Wozwahl had played the sympathy card with the feverish girl from the start, I would have definitely agreed without a second thought.

I kind of feel like a villain.

But teasing someone like this isn’t so bad.

Yisi dropped her expressionless facade and sighed as if she were reluctantly giving in.

“Alright. But you owe me a favor. First, have her eat this.”

Before the girl could answer, Yisi stuffed a Winterbloom herb into Alice’s hand, patted Mary’s shoulder to signal her to relax, then pulled back from the carriage, drew the curtain, and turned to her companions with a suggestion—which was actually for the approaching soldier to hear.

“It’s too stuffy in the carriage. It’s not often we get to a new city, how about we walk in? We can enjoy the scenery along the way. I’m sure Laxy would love to see this ancient capital, right?”

“Although I don’t think walking in the rain is a wise decision, since it is my lord’s choice, I have no objection.”

“I’ll follow Onee-sama’s lead.”

“Replenish fluids.”

“Then, I’ll be in charge of driving the carriage.”

Only Edith objected.

“Are you insane? Walking in a place full of mud while wearing a long dress? I’m going back to the carriage.”

As she spoke, Edith stepped onto the driver’s seat with Refina’s help. But if she were to enter the carriage, she would surely expose Alice Wozwahl’s presence, which would cause a commotion and blow their cover. Yisi could only brace herself for an elbow to the ribs as she wrapped her arms under Edith’s armpits from behind and lifted her off the carriage in one go.

This was the first time Yisi had felt Edith’s body up close.

It was as soft as if it had no bones, as light as a cloud, giving the impression that the slightest force could break it.

Like a cat whose tail was suddenly grabbed, Edith’s whole body went rigid in an instant.

She’ll definitely fight back in the next second.

I wonder if it’ll be with an elbow or a fist.

Although Yisi knew Edith couldn’t hurt her, she still felt a sense of trepidation. However, to her astonishment, Edith, whom she had placed on the ground, showed no intention of striking her. On the contrary, her usually pale face was flushed with a blush so rare it was enough to make one scream.

“You… what the hell do you think you’re doing, you jerk!”

Eh?

A strange reaction.

Compared to the usual prickly girl who always wanted to be in control, the Pepe right now was like a girlfriend in the middle of a cute tantrum.

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This sudden change actually leaves me at a loss for what to do…

Yisi could only swallow her embarrassment and put on a serious face.

“You don’t want to walk with me? A stroll in the rain. To be able to walk side-by-side with a beautiful girl like Pepe, everyone else on the street will surely be green with envy.”

To Yisi’s disappointment, Edith quickly reverted to her usual self, her eyes filled with disdain.

“Hmph. What pointless vanity.”

I guess this stiff way of speaking won’t work?

Just as Yisi was wracking her brain for a way to keep Edith outside, Edith peeked at Yisi through her lashes.

“Well, since you invited me yourself, I suppose I can agree. However, your wording just now needs some modification. By being able to announce to the world that I have a cute fiancée like you, those people will surely be jealous of me. I can somewhat understand your desire to show off to those around you.”

Although she had missed the point, at least Pepe had agreed not to get into the carriage. Yisi let out a huge sigh of relief, and at the same time, couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Edith offering her arm.

I’ll just play along with Pepe’s ambition to be the family head for now.

Enduring Camilla’s glare, which felt like needles, Yisi took Edith’s arm. Edith, in turn, opened a black parasol with white lace trim for the two of them.

“Pepe, you’re holding the umbrella?”

In Pepe’s view, holding an umbrella was something a servant should do.

Edith simply curved her lips and tightened her hold on the hand Yisi had put through her arm.

“It’s not so bad to be the gentleman once in a while.”

The glare from behind them grew even sharper. If looks could kill, Pepe and I would have been skewered together by now.

I’ll definitely have to explain this to Camilla after we get into the city.

Making a small apology in her heart, Yisi led the group with Edith, walking step-by-step into Dahl City.

…

Soon, under Yisi’s guidance, the carriage stopped in a deserted alley.

“Alright, this is it.”

Signaling for Refina to stop, Yisi withdrew her hand from Edith’s arm.

Edith frowned.

“Are you going to tell me what’s in the carriage now?”

“Eh? Pepe, you figured it out?”

“You need to learn how to make your acting more natural. If I couldn’t even see through that, I wouldn’t be a Loiswell. First Mary’s scream, then you were silent in the carriage for so long, and then you suggested we walk and stopped me from getting in. No matter how you think about it, there must be something in the carriage.”

“Woman.”

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Following right behind Edith, Tiffany, sniffing the air, added.

And Tiffany wasn’t the only one.

“The smell of cheap perfume. If you weren’t trying to hide something, Onee-sama would never willingly get that close to Edith.”

“Kuh.”

An indignant sound came from Alice inside the carriage.

She probably hadn’t come out because she was worried about onlookers. Yisi pulled open the carriage curtain.

“There’s no one else here. You can come out.”

After a short wait, a cautious blonde twin tail, tied up with a green ribbon, poked out from the carriage. Alice shook her cute head, then frowned.

“This is the central avenue. It’s still far from my house.”

“I’m not taking you to your house. If your father finds out I helped you, he might hold me accountable. You’re a noble, aren’t you?”

“Huh? Y-you, how did you know I’m a noble?”

The [Omniscient Map] says so.

Of course, Yisi couldn’t answer like that.

“Your clothes are different from a commoner’s. If you want to pretend to be a commoner, you should change into commoner’s clothes before you go out next time. And don’t use perfume. Commoners don’t use such expensive things on a daily basis. You’re not of age to be using perfume anyway.”

Alice pouted uncharacteristically.

“Tch, perfume is the mark of a mature woman. My older sister is called the Flower of the Kingdom because she uses it. I’m less than three years from adulthood, and I’m already of marriageable age. Hey, since you saw through my noble status, you know what to do next, right? Obey my command and take me home.”

At this, Alice stepped out of the carriage and stood on the driver’s seat, looking down on Yisi. It was only now that Yisi realized Alice’s attire had a strong “Alice in Wonderland” feel to it. Although the clothes had a noble’s splendor, they still followed the style of an Alice costume. The dark green dress complemented the white frills, and together with the green ribbons tying her twin tails and the golden pocket watch hanging from her waist, she looked exactly like a model who had just finished a cosplay session. It was the first time Yisi had seen such anime-styled clothing in this other world. Combined with her cute face, Yisi would have believed it if someone told her this character had jumped straight out of an anime.

“Hey, did you hear me?”

Alice’s raised eyebrows brought Yisi back to reality.

Her tone isn’t pleasant at all.

Of course, it could also be because I teased her, so she’s being rude.

“My patience is limited. Watch your tone, human.”

“Blo-Blood Clan!? And is that one an angel? Plus the half-elf in the carriage… Just who are you people?”

Yisi waved her hand dismissively.

“In any case, if you just want to save someone, you can leave her with me. I’m heading to the Ymir Church later, and I guarantee I’ll have the girl you brought cured. My name is Yisi Enya.”

“The Ymir Church? Those people only treat the rich… I see. No wonder you asked me for ten gem coins earlier. So you’re one of them. I don’t care where you’re from. Now that you know I’m a noble, you’ll do as I command. I am the fifth daughter of Duke Wozwahl. According to the tenth article of the kingdom’s law, any commoner within the kingdom who threatens a noble shall be punished by having their tongue cut out and being drawn and quartered. Seeing as you’re a woman, I’ll overlook what happened earlier. But the kingdom’s law also has an eleventh article: nobles have the right to temporarily conscript commoners. Those who do not comply shall be punished by having an arm severed. You understand what I mean, right?”

Alice secretly opened one eye to observe Yisi, then quickly closed it when she noticed Yisi looking at her.

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“The people of the Church can’t be trusted. I’ll treat the girl in the carriage myself.”

“But if you go back just like this, won’t your father find out?”

Hit right where it hurt, the girl, who had forgotten she would be discovered by the family servants, froze and stammered.

“W-well, I have a way. I can just sneak in through the hole in the backyard.”

“Pfft.”

Unable to hold it in, Yisi let out a laugh.

This girl is just a kid.

But Yisi’s laughter infuriated Alice. With her hands on her hips, her turquoise eyes were full of anger.

“You!”

“Tsk.”

Finally unable to stand Alice’s arrogant attitude, Camilla used her staff as a melee weapon, bringing it close to Alice’s face. The anger on her face made it clear that if Alice said one more word, the staff would be poking her in the face.

“Eek!”

Alice couldn’t help but let out a small shriek. Her arrogant demeanor vanished in a puff of smoke, and she became like a frightened rabbit, timidly taking small steps back.

In any case, she couldn’t get serious with a twelve-year-old child. Yisi gave a wry smile and waved her hand.

“Alright, alright. The reason you want me to take you back to your mansion is because you can’t carry the girl in the carriage by yourself, right? You don’t trust the Church, and I won’t force you. After all, I don’t know what kind of person manages the temple here. But I don’t want your father to see me taking you back either. So, as a compromise, I’ll find a carriage for you and have the driver take you and the feverish girl back.”

“Really?”

Alice’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

“Really.”

“Then the money for the driver…”

“I’ll cover it.”

Putting other things aside, I can’t let this favor go to waste. I need to make her realize that I’ve paid a tangible price to help her. That way, she’ll have a real sense of being indebted to someone.

Without a shred of doubt for Yisi, Alice agreed energetically.

“Mhm! Let’s do that! Your name is Yisi Enya, right? I’ll come to the temple later to thank you.”

Instead of a verbal reply, Yisi just smiled and shrugged.

With this, a connection between them was established. Now, she just needed to investigate the cause of the incessant rain while searching for a magic weapon smith. For some reason, Yisi had a bad feeling.

I hope it won’t be too much trouble.

Yisi silently prayed in her heart.