Chapter 19: Arrangement

Clack— Clack—

The footsteps from the depths of the alley grew clearer.
I held a small knife in a reverse grip in my left hand and the gun in my right, my nerves tense.
If the person who came was hostile, I would take them out the moment they showed their head.

The footsteps stopped at the corner.
Suddenly, a hand gripped the edge of the wall, and immediately after, a pair of reddish-brown fox ears peeked out.
Amber eyes glanced left and right, then waved at me.

Nadiesse?
…Why come out from the back instead of using the perfectly fine front door?

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come over,” Nadiesse’s fox ears twitched, and she waved for me to come.
Her gesture had the air of an old woman trying to act cute.

I put away my knife and gun, and led the little person beside me over.
I asked with some confusion, “What kind of act are you putting on? I almost opened fire.”

“Hah~ It wouldn’t matter if you fired or not, you couldn’t hit me anyway.
That good thing is wasted on you.
The back door is over here, come in.”

“…A vengeful fox.”

“A greedy witch?”

I shot Nadiesse a glare, not intending to argue with her.
I followed her into the hidden door, and the same tidy room as yesterday came into view, but with one difference…

A pitch-black cannon was aimed at the front door.
A burly man as strong as a bear was holding the barrel, the rabbit-eared young man had already lit a match in his hand, and three quaint little green figures were holding swords, ready for battle.

“Peters, should we fire the cannon?” the burly man asked.

But the rabbit-eared young man was also undecided, “Big Wei, don’t be hasty, wait for the boss’s signal… Eh? Boss, you’re back. And the person behind you is…”

Five pairs of eyes looked over in unison.
The air froze for a moment, and an awkward silence spread through the room like ink in water.

I opened my mouth, trying my best to organize my words:
“Your welcoming ceremony… is quite something, enthusiastic and thoughtful.”

‘And it’s guaranteed to make any visitor want to linger and never return.’

“Ahem—”

Nadiesse coughed twice.
The five people who had been on high alert scrambled to put away the “welcoming ceremony.”
In the process, a cannonball bigger than a human head rolled out, and was quickly and hastily pushed back by the rabbit-eared young man.

Nadiesse beside me pulled out two chairs for me and Little Nia, letting us sit down first.
Then, the five people from before stood in a line in front of me and bowed in apology.

“I am very sorry, Miss Witch. I am deeply remorseful for yesterday’s offense.
I was truly blind not to recognize your identity,” the rabbit-eared young man named Peters said.

“That’s right, that’s right, us too,” the three gnomes chimed in with sycophantic smiles.

In stark contrast, the burly man, who was over two meters tall, was scratching his head with a simple and honest expression, and asked tentatively, “Um… do I have to apologize too?”

After that, Nadiesse sent the others away, leaving only me, her, and Little Nia.
But Little Nia didn’t seem to be familiar with this fox lady, and she didn’t react when they first met.

“Little Nia, tell sister, do you know this fox in front of you?”

Hearing my question, a timid voice answered, “I… I do. I’ve seen this fox sister at home a few times before… just a few times.”

So that’s how it is.
They’ve only met a few times and aren’t familiar with each other.
But as long as she recognizes her, that’s good.
Nadiesse seems very loyal to Little Nia’s mother.
I think it shouldn’t be a problem to hand her over.

“Miss, you don’t remember me? I’m the fox sister who used to visit your home often.
I even held you when you were little.”

“I… I don’t remember,” the little blue head shook, and she hugged my arm, shielding herself.

Nadiesse looked like she wanted to cry but had no tears, her expression stiff.
Her crestfallen appearance was quite comical.
I admired it for a while before asking a key question.

“When do you plan to send this child home?”

“Soon. We will set off in three days at the latest,” Nadiesse replied, her expression serious again.
“Are you coming with us? From your appearance before, you wanted to take a boat, right?”

I nodded, not denying it. “That’s right.
My companion and I were planning to cross the sea by boat. As for the reason…”

I raised the silver cross pistol and shook it.
Nadiesse understood instantly.
“Our ship is quite large. It’s no problem to accommodate two more people.
Come back with us.”

“Well… I need to go back and ask my companion,” I spread my hands helplessly.
“Before, taking a boat was our only option.
But now we have other options.
So, it’s best if I discuss it with her first.”

Before Nadiesse could reply, the little dumpling beside me tightened her grip on my arm and said pitifully,
“Sister, can you not go… Conia doesn’t want sister to leave…”

I was truly troubled by Little Nia’s plea.
How should I explain this to a child?
Children can’t understand the subtleties of adult conversation.
All sorts of explanations would seem pale and weak.

“You see, this child doesn’t want you to go either.
And when my master finds out that you saved this child, she will definitely not treat you unfairly.
She is the famous Blade Witch in the City of the Sea of Trees, and even in the entire other-race kingdom,” Nadiesse chimed in, supporting her master.

To convince me, she added a few more words about the Blade Witch:
“Although my master is extremely powerful, she does not like to fight and is very kind to others.
There are many other races in the City of the Sea of Trees who have received her grace.”

“Alright, alright. I’m cautious, but not to the point of being suspicious.
I believe everything you’ve said.
And I never said I definitely wouldn’t go,” then I turned to look at Little Nia.
“You can’t rely on sister too much~ And you should be happy that you’re going to see your mother.”

After comforting Little Nia, I discussed the specific details with Nadiesse.
The conclusion was: I would go back and discuss it with Elvira, and give a reply by the evening of the day after tomorrow at the latest.
During this time, Little Nia would stay in the city.

The living conditions in the city were a world apart from that wretched cave.
Little Nia would be more comfortable sleeping here.

By the time our conversation ended, the outside was already submerged in the tide of night.
The thick darkness stained the sky, and dim yellow lights lit up from the streets.
The city’s night was gradually awakening, and it was time for me to go back.

“It’s getting late. My companion is still waiting for me.
Let’s call it a day for now,” I stood up and said to Nadiesse.

But what I got in return was an unexpected tease:
“That companion of yours… could it be your lover~
The scent on you yesterday was very strong, and today it’s even stronger.”

Her amber eyes blinked, and a mischievous smile appeared on Nadiesse’s face.

“Did you two… do that kind of thing last night?”

“Hey! Don’t talk nonsense! And there’s a child here!”

“Oh~ it seems I was right,” Nadiesse’s smile grew wider.
“But now, I’m afraid you can’t go back.”

“What do you mean?” her words left me completely confused.

“Because we’ve prepared a little party~”

Saying that, Nadiesse stood up and spread her arms.
The five people from before suddenly appeared, placing a pile of what looked like food and drinks on the table.

Then the fox lady winked. “Ehehe, didn’t expect that, did you?”