Chapter 118: Katana user

So there are people going around asking questions about you and your party. There may be people out there with a grudge against you, so be careful.

Ah

They ask questions like when was your party created, what have he been doing, what labyrinths have he conquered, and what does he usually do. Quite persistent, dont you think?

Y-yes.

What is that insipid reaction? Im doing you a favor by telling you all this, you know?

Nick was dragged by Alice to a nearby cafe. Alice then ordered tea and sweets and started warning Nick casually as she chatted.

And Im even buying you tea. Do people on your planet enjoy making women cry or something?

Said Alice as she crossed her arms and sighed, looking as though she was taking offense with Nicks vague expression.

No, thats not it

And Ive heard about the way youve been using poor Karan you know? Ive heard that you made her stand in line to help you buy tickets for some idols concert I really dont think thats acceptable.

Thats not true! She just went there to give me some tea and! Nevermind that, I think I know whos been asking questions about us.

Eh?

Alice seemed surprised, and Nick explained what happened with Karans sister and Tiannas master, and how it led to a match. After hearing everything, Alice laid down, face first on the table.

Oh So it was a waste of time Ahh

N-no, thank you for telling me. Sorry for worrying you. 

Alice quickly raised her head.

Oh well, its fine. That warning was pretty much just a gift of sorts anyway. Theres something I want to ask you, do you know any adventurers that use a katana?

Katana

Katana was a sword from the kingdom of Nozomi, an extinct country that existed in the south.

Its blade was slightly curved. The beautiful design of its blade made it popular with people enamored by swords. It was also more effective against beast type monsters than regular longswords.

It was difficult to use, but surprisingly, popular both as a decoration piece and as a actual weapon.

Well, the most famous one is Fifth, the S rank adventurer.

The Order is usually in contact with S and A rank adventurers, so we know about them. What else? I want to know about other strong individuals in Fishermen and Pioneers.

I guess I know a few but Guild employees and C and D rank adventurers probably know a lot more than me.

Its fine even if its information Ive heard before.

Alright. I can think of Five.

Nick said as he counted his fingers and called the people from back when he was a part of All Martial Arts. Although they were all a bunch of liars and he had not thought of them in a while, Nick still felt a little nostalgic. 

He hadnt seen any of them since he formed Survivors.

Well, I guess Ill see them eventually.

Hmm?

Nothing, Im talking to myself. First there Kisui and Tansui, twin girls from the C rank adventurer party Ghost Hunt.

Ghost Hunt Thats the party that specializes in evil spirits isnt it?

Yes. Those two use the katana. Then, theres Kyle, from the D rank Shadow Edge.

I dont know about him.

He loves using a small katana, but I think the correct name is a ninjato.

I see.

Twin Sword Dancer Scott from Manhunt also used the katana. His skill with the sword is on par with C or D rank adventurers.

Ah, yes, I know him very well.

You do?

The work that the Order of the Sun and the adventurers of Manhunt tended to overlap, so they were not very fond of each other. Therefore, when Alice spoke of him as if he was a friend, it felt strange to Nick.

Hes my little brother. Ah, now that I think about it, I forgot to thank you for helping him during the Stepping Man incident. Thank you.

He is!?

Nick almost said they looked nothing alike, but held back. Still, Nick started to think that if the boorishness was removed from Scotts face, they may have looked alike.

Hey! Dont just stare at a womans face.

Ah, sorry.

Ive invited Scott to come work with us, but he says he doesnt like to work with the court. What a bother that man

Thats

Most adventurers would be jealous or upset to hear he was given such an opportunity. But, although Scott was reckless, he did have a chivalrous spirit. The Order of the Sun could not be relied upon when it came to the abandoned area, so the fact that Scott wanted to defend people there made him surprisingly admirable.

Hes an interesting guy.

Interesting? I guess Im happy that you put it that way.

Hes a little rowdy, but he is strong. I dont dislike him.

Thank you.

Said Alice with a kind smile.

Nick was entranced for a second, before changing the subject out of embarrassment.

Ah, theres one more but

What? Im sensing that its not something thats easy for you to talk about.

I had some trouble with him Or rather, with them. My former party, All Martial Arts.

Ah The one led by Argus.

Yes. Argus can use all kinds of swords, but theres also Garrosso, who learned how to use the katana from him Hes also good at Iai.

Iai?

Its the name of a technique where one draws a sheathed blade and slashes with the same motion. Its very effective at taking down monsters in one strike.

Ah

Alice took notes.

But why are you asking? Its difficult to use, so by the time someone becomes good enough to use it, theyre generally already strong. If you are thinking of recruiting them, I dont think theyd be good knights.

Im not scouting them.

Then

Before Nick could ask again, Alice answered bluntly.

My subordinate was killed with a clean slash, diagonally from the shoulder.

Those words felt so natural, Nick could not process its meaning at first. But as he thought about it, and looked at Alices quiet expression, he realized that there was a lot of anger behind it.

My subordinate was after a group of bandits. They had a very skilled bodyguard, and judging by the wound, it was caused by a curved single edged sword.

Thats

They probably have the Dragon King Orb. They seemed very skilled.

What about the armor?

My subordinate was wearing armor on top of chainmail, but it was cleanly cut open. The cut was too clean, I wouldve been fascinated by it if I liked gruesome murders.

Basically, she was looking for suspects. 

Despite her charming face, it seemed there was more to her than meets the eye, and a chill ran down Nicks spine.

Everyone I mentioned except Scott seems capable of doing that.

They all sound very strong.

I cant imagine Kisui and Tansui doing it. Their main job is still being priests

Being a priest doesnt exactly guarantee innocence Ah, are they by any chance your friends?

No, thats not it. Theyre strangely blunt and Wait.

What?

Most people I mentioned didnt pay nobles or anything to rise to rank D, they got letters of recommendation through recognition of their work. Bad behavior is one thing, but I dont think they would disgrace the people that endorsed them by commuting murder At least, I dont think so.

Nick grimaced.

None of the people he thought of seemed stupid enough to dirty their hands with assassination, but from a technical sense, they were capable of cutting through someones armor all the way to the victims body.

Kyle loathes bandits. He says he became an adventurer when his house was burned down by bandits, and he spent some time catching bandits over at Manhunt. Bandits wouldnt ever want to work with him. They most likely resent him.

Then

Alice peeked at Nicks expression.

That left the people that Nick knew all too well The leader of All Martial Arts, Argus, and Garrosso.

Killing was taboo for All Martial Arts. We wouldnt agree to help someone that told us to stop a knight that was chasing them. I was told again and again not to use the skills I was learning for evil.

So, you dont think they did it?

At the very least, we werent involved with those kinds of people while I was there. If we were, we wouldnt be worrying about money all the time.

Hold on, as a knight, I cant let that one pass. Are you saying youll help bandits as long as there are rewards involved?

Said Alice sarcastically while Nick shrugged, realizing she was not being serious.

In reality, theres no point in being involved with those kinds of people if theres no money involved or anything.

So adventurers with plenty of money are suspicious?

I wouldnt say that the culprit is an adventurer for sure, but I guess only an adventurer would be that good with the katana.

Yes.

Alice. Which one do you suspect, Argus or Garrosso?

Eh? W-what are you talking about?

Alice was surprised, and Nick sighed as she tried to evade the question by drinking her tea.

You dont have to try to hide it, I know thats why youre asking me. And if the Dragon King Orb is involved, its not like it has nothing to do with me.

Exactly. But dont get me wrong, Im not concluding it is an adventurer, its all just a theory at the moment. It could also be a skilled fighter that wandered in from another country. In fact, Im making sure that an adventurer didnt do it so I can start looking into it.

I guess, theoretically, both of them could do it. Anyone that has seen them work would say the same. But assuming they did it, why, for whom, and what is their goal? I have no idea. I really dont think theyre stupid enough to be hired by bandits.

Youre a nice guy. They expelled you, and you still wont say anything bad about them. Many would see this as a chance to get revenge.

Nick was silent, and had a sour look on his face.

Nick left All Martial Arts on bad terms, but he would never accuse them of being suspicious without any evidence. Garrosso falsely accused him, so in a way, he deserved it, but Nick still thought it would be a betrayal of sorts. Both to his former partners, and his current party.

That was a rude way to put it. Sorry.

Its fine. Your colleague was killed, and you just want clues.

So much so that you cant even imagine.

Although Alice sounded very casual, Nick sensed something burning behind her words.

Adventurers and knights are in an unfortunate business. You never know who you might meet, and when you might have to say goodbye.

Yeah, I sorta get that. But, who knows how Ill feel if that happens to me.

Its not the first time, but Im not used to it. Youre the leader of your party, so make sure you always do your best to prevent something like this from happening.

Alice said as if she was talking to Nick, but he sensed that she was talking to her own reflection in the cup of tea.

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