episode_0148

How did I figure out her identity?

Actually, it’s nothing special.

I saw it all at night.

Exactly last night, I woke up at dawn by chance.

Maybe it was because I was locked in my room all day that I couldn’t sleep deeply.

After thinking about it, I decided to go outside for a bit and get some fresh air, wondering if I really needed to stay locked in my room since I wasn’t really sick.

And that’s when I saw it.

A kunoichi that looks very much like Konoha runs across the rooftops!

Oh my gosh, on the roof.

“Huh, is that so?”

“Well, then! I don’t think you know much since you’re an outsider… .”

But how did you not get caught all this time?

How can you keep something this stupid a secret from everyone?

I had that question, but I guess it can happen because it’s a night game.

“Then we’re the only exhibitionist perverts at the party.”

“Huh?”

When I said that, pretending to be sad, she froze stiffly.

Yes, Konoha was a kind-hearted woman, even though she was a kunoichi.

“Ah, ah, no… I, I was just joking… Whoa! I’m sorry, Unnie!”

“Haha, I was just kidding.”

“That’s right? Phew… .”

He’s stupid and naive, so he’s fun to tease.

Oh, right.

Well, let me take this opportunity to ask you something.

“Oh, Konoha.”

“Huh?”

“Is there something important on this island that has to do with dirt… .”

Oh, maybe I was too direct.

A moment of wariness appeared on Konoha’s face.

“… Why is that?”

“Oh, no, just… .”

Ugh, I guess I said it for nothing.

No, but there is still income.

Judging from that reaction, you definitely know something.

Considering her profession as a kunoichi, it could be that she was trying to steal treasure or something.

“Huh… I see… .”

Konoha chatted for a bit more after that, then disappeared, saying she was busy.

But I can tell.

The fact that she was secretly spying on me…!

“What should I do, Ravi?”

I said the wrong thing and ended up under surveillance.

Ravi stuck his head out and shook his head as if to tell me not to ask him.

“Ugh… .”

I was thinking of doing some exploring on my own, but it didn’t work out.

Eventually I decided to take a walk around town or something, with no results.

I can still feel Konoha’s presence behind me, but as long as I don’t do anything suspicious, it won’t matter.

“Wow, it’s a sexy blonde sister!”

“Deep chest big!”

Wow… these kids are all yellow.

Whenever the village kids saw me, they would run away screaming like that.

Of course, Asia’s unconventional outfit might be a bit unfamiliar to these kids.

“Ah, Konoha Nu… Ugh!”

“Shhh!”

The kids who had been teasing me and running away greeted Konoha, who was following them, and she quickly covered their mouths.

…Should I pretend not to know?

I tried hard not to notice and looked away.

Yeah. I didn’t hear it because I was watching the street.

“Whew… .”

“Sister, what are you doing?”

“Shhh… !”

Is there a hidden meaning to this…?

I don’t know for sure, but I decided to pretend I don’t know, so I’ll endure it until the end.

I continued walking around the village, suppressing the urge to tackle something for no reason.

Yamato was nothing special, except that it was a random Japanese-style town.

The buildings don’t look that fancy and it feels like just a country village.

But there was one exception among these old buildings: the imposing castle to the north of the village.

Yeah, Sung.

“Ugh… .”

From behind, Konoha could be heard groaning softly as it looked out towards the castle.

According to my experience in night games, it’s clear that Konoha is after that castle.

If that’s the case, then that means… there’s that very earth sign in that castle!

There has to be a story here too!

Okay, that was perfect logic.

Now we can discuss this with our party members and come up with a solution.

***

“Asia! I found something good!”

“Oh, what a coincidence. I just got some good information!”

And amazingly, we all got the same information.

“Hmm, then I guess there is a sign of dirt in that castle.”

“And Konoha is aiming for that sign… .”

It’s a really fast-paced development, but I like that there’s no unnecessary persuasion involved!

The three of us, excluding me, gathered rumors from the townspeople and came here to hear information about the treasure in that castle.

I don’t know which one is the original story, but the result is the same, so it’s okay.

“Another competitor.”

“Um… I see.”

Last time it was a knight, this time it’s a kunoichi.

Surely the other two too?

At this point, reasonable doubts begin to arise.

Yeah, I wouldn’t let you take it that easy.

“I did a little research on the castle, and it seems like the security is pretty tight.”

“I couldn’t even get a feel for the location of the sign.”

Is that so?

There’s a reason Kunoichi Konoha is a classic.

“We can’t lose either. Karin!”

“Huh, huh?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Huh?”

But we have Karin!

Go, Karin!

Show me the power of a Western thief!

“… Really?”

“Of course I’m joking.”

It’s probably the first time I’ve seen this building style since I was born, so asking me to go inside and steal a treasure that may or may not be there just doesn’t make sense.

“Then, first of all, I guess we should collect information about the surname.”

“What about Konoha?”

“Um… .”

If we openly collect information about sex in a situation where suspicion has already been raised, it will certainly be met with suspicion.

“We can’t cooperate, right?”

“You can’t aim for the same thing.”

“Maybe not. We don’t know her circumstances.”

Is that so?

In fact, she was also a servant of the goddess of love, so she tried to prepare herself for me in advance?

It seems unlikely, but isn’t it possible that there may be a compromise in an unexpected area?

“Then let’s do it like this.”

I decided to remain at the inn and negotiate with Konoha, while the other three cautiously gathered information.

New mission, persuade the Kunoichi!

***

“Huh? Why the danggo?”

“Let’s eat together and talk!”

“Um… .”

And of course, food is the best way to become close with someone.

I decided to start the conversation by teasing Kunoha with dango.

“I’ll eat well first, sis.”

“Yes, sit here. Let’s eat together.”

She was a good child, so she followed my words obediently.

“But Kono… .”

“You guys are also after the diamond heart, right?”

huh?

Konoha looked at me with a dango in her mouth.

“Diamond Heart… A natural treasure that exists only once in the world.”

“Um… .”

Is that a sign of the earth?

Come to think of it, the water sign was also heart-shaped, so it seems to fit.

“Sorry, but I really need that. I can’t give it to you.”

“Ugh… .”

As expected from a kunoichi…!

Did they see through our plans in advance?

“Oh, how could it not work…? We really need that too.”

“… I’m sorry.”

Konoha lowered her gaze.

Hmm, I think there’s something going on… .

“Where are you going to use it?”

“… My family has been a kunoichi family for generations.”

Oh, all of a sudden at this timing?

But I decided to listen quietly because it seemed related to the story.

“But after a few failures, the family fell into ruin… and now, they are buried in a mountain of debt.”

“That kind of… .”

A failed kunoichi family.

So, it would be rude to think that way… No, that would be rude to think that way.

“The due date is approaching, but my family has no money right now. Thanks to the accommodation fee my sisters gave me, I can breathe a little easier… but I still have too much debt left.”

“Then why is that necessary… .”

Is it money?

“Yeah. I have to sell it to get the money.”

Well, it’s a simple reason, but it’s also a difficult problem to intervene in.

It’s not like we’re going to pay you back with money.

“But we have a bigger purpose… .”

“Sorry. No matter how important it is, I can’t give in.”

Konoha took the remaining dango from the toothpick and got up from her seat.

“So… I’m sorry, but give up on that.”

I couldn’t stop her from leaving.

What should I do with this?

***

Her circumstances are difficult, but if we were to judge them by their importance, wouldn’t ours be higher?

I’m not sure, but this is a world issue!

When I heard Konoha’s story, I hesitated because I felt sorry for her, but when I heard Lisa’s story at the inn, my mind came back to me.

Yeah, I’m sorry, but we can’t back out either!

“… That, and you know.”

“Yes.”

Lisa hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“That lord’s words… .”

“What is it?”

Why are you hesitating like this again?

What strange story did you hear?

“… He often visits the store.”

“Ah.”

Now that I think about it, there was one store that looked a bit shabby.

I had a feeling it was not true, but it turned out to be Changgwan… .

“So why am I telling you this story…?”

“… … .”

All three became quiet.

Hmm, as expected… .

“Oh, Asia. We’re not specifically asking you to go there.”

“That’s right. I’m just letting you know that there is such information.”

Everyone desperately made excuses.

Well, it doesn’t really matter now since selling your body isn’t that difficult… .

“So everyone thinks of me that way?”

“Oh, no!”

“No, Asia!”

“That’s not it!”

… Since it has come to this, I can’t be the only one to die.

“Then.”

We are one, right?

“Anyone, come with me.”

Two is better than one!

I feel like I’m going alone, so let’s go together!