256.1: The Battle Maiden Wants to Study Abroad (19)
Aprons sure are convenient!
Whenever Hades strolled around town, he’d wear one so that he’d look like a commoner.
“Should you really be leaving home? Little Miss will get angry at you.”
Rave asked while floating around on his shoulder. Hades answered in a low voice while browsing the stalls in the market.
“She doesn’t have to know.”
“But you’re going shopping… She’ll definitely find out.”
“It’ll be fine. Jill doesn’t remember the number of ingredients or our stockpile of food. She didn’t suspect a thing during last night’s dinner! Besides, since she already ate, I don’t think she can complain!”
“It’s still lying… Even now, you’re still deceiving the Little Miss.”
“What do you mean even now? Jill knows and she understands.”
Jill accepted and loved him even though he would lie without a second thought and hid his true feelings. Suddenly, he felt a tightness in his chest.
“—I-isn’t my wife too cool…?!”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Don’t forget your purpose and collapse… Prices have certainly gone up…”
“Indeed. It probably depends on the season and the region, but it’s thrice the market price. According to the landlord, the Rave Empire has been inflating the transport cost for dragons…”
“That’s a wild theory to begin with. Dragons can’t carry that much.”
Dragons had the immense power of securing aerial superiority in battle, and were unrivaled in terms of agility. However, although they could transport things by air, they were inferior in terms of load capacity. Even in the Rave Empire, they didn’t use air transport for business trade because it wasn’t cost-effective. In fact, for the longest time, Leyca’s trade was based on sea routes.
“I wonder if it’s anti-Rave propaganda.”
Hades muttered lazily after checking the prices at most of the stalls.
“I wonder. Look, Hades. Here we go again.”
Hades turned his attention to Rave who whispered from his shoulder.
The aforementioned Rave soldiers were harassing a lone store owner.
“You want me to pay you?! Who do you think is protecting this town!?”
“But if you don’t pay us, we won’t be able to make a living…”
“Then I’ll make it so that you don’t need to pay us.”
While the stall owner was complaining, one of the soldiers behind him kicked the box containing his merchandise with a grin. A scream was heard as fruits scattered across the ground.
“These won’t be for sale!”
An orange rolled down the street, stopping at the tip of Hades’ shoe. The harsh laughter continued. Rave asked with a frown.
“What should we do? Should we help before someone gets hurt? Be careful not to stand out, though. Let’s take care of it quietly!”
“There’s just no end to it.”
This wasn’t the first time Hades had seen Rave soldiers throwing their weight around. But something was off about them.
I knew it. They aren’t from the Rave Empire.
Their accents and dialects were different from those of the average Rave citizen. They were probably locals employed by the Rave Empire, yet they bore the title of soldier.
“We won’t gain information by standing idly.”
“Yep.”
Now that the Dragon God of Reason had given his consent, it was probably time to act. Surely, his wife, who was a bit on the domineering side, wouldn’t get angry if he defeated those who wasted food.
“Alright.”
Hades picked up the orange resting against the tip of his shoe. Just as the soldier was about to ruin the stall further, Hades flung the orange with magic power.
The orange flew at high speed, hitting the side of the soldier’s head and blowing him away.
“W-what?! What just happened?! Are you okay?!”
“Y-yes…”
The soldier, barely able to stand up, got up and shook his head. While helping their comrade, the other soldiers screamed at the top of their lungs.
“Who’s there?! Who did it?! Come out, you coward!”
“It was him, the one in the apron!”
One of them pointed in Hades’ direction. That soldier seemed to be fairly well-trained, as he could detect magic.
“Sorry about that. My hand slipped.”
“An orange won’t fly like that if your hand simply slipped. Also, don’t say that with a smile.”
While ignoring Rave’s remark, Hades picked up the oranges scattered along the aisle. Then, he knelt down to talk to the slumped store owner.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry for throwing your merchandise.”
“I-it’s fine… Just get out of here.”
“This is an obstruction of justice!”
Read more than 8 weeks ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $2~
***T/N: “It’s that guy! The one in the apron!”
Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa
Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d
Leave a Reply