Chapter 33

Depending on the person, it might be a chest-churning development.

"Have you returned?"

As soon as I arrived at the pebble shop, Gustav greeted me with these words. He took his eyes off the stack of papers in his hands and confirmed my presence.

"Are you... not injured?"

"No, not at all."

Of course not; apart from the slap I deliberately received from Haman, no one else even touched me.

"How about your side?"

"It's all arranged without any issues."

He smiled and gave a thumbs up, showing a confident and reliable face.

"According to the report I just received, it seems that the healer Bar called is currently treating the guards in the detention center."

"Already leaking to the outside?"

If the guards' total annihilation is known by the healer, it might spread. If they want to keep it hidden, they might send the guards to the hospital in small groups with some excuse.

"No. If ordinary healers were called, it might leak. But the one called is someone under Bar's influence. Moreover, he called someone off-duty, so it's safe to assume they're trying to cover it up."

"I see."

Bar seems more capable than me when it comes to covering things up.

"Well, then we just wait for the results. Although, it's unlikely we'll get a clear one."

Eliminating the incident is hard to define clearly. If most of the town believes it was a false alarm, it can be considered almost successful.

"If Bar can't handle it, I will."

Gustav said this while gathering the papers. He meant it; he would take care of it.

"By the way, as a precaution, you should hide for a while."

"Why?"

"Given the rumors already circulating, you should understand how to eliminate the incident, right?"

"Um, impose a gag order to prevent the spread of information, create a distraction with a different major event, or spread a slightly different story, something like that?"

That's all I can think of right now. I haven't done it before, so I'm not confident.

"That's correct, but there's one more point."

He gave a thumbs up and made a slicing gesture across his throat, which seems to have the same meaning as on Earth.

"Preventing the spread of information can be easily done by eliminating those involved."

Gustav rolled up the papers, tied them with a string, and sealed them with wax. It was an expensive seal.

"In this case, the guards and the victimized craftsmen can be handled by their authority. I can handle it within my capabilities. A gag order should be enough."

"Will you do it yourself?"

"Of course. I'm just a poor shopkeeper in the slums."

He said this with a face that didn't even hint at it.

"The problem is those at the center of the incident who can disappear without causing any issues. In this case, you, Nixky, and Rashid."

"None of us seem likely to spread the news."

"I think so, but they won't see it that way."

He probably means Haman and Bar.

"They'll think you're trying to profit from the incident. They assume everyone thinks like they do. It's a characteristic of shortsighted people."

I tilted my head slightly.

"…Aren't you underestimating them?"

They are people who have risen to positions of power and accomplished things. They can't be shortsighted.

"…That's why I did this much."

"Huh?"

I didn't understand the meaning of that small whisper.

"Anyway, you and the others are at risk of being targeted. They might try to eliminate you for real this time. Hide for a while… about two weeks should be enough."

"Should I just stay out of sight?"

Probably back to the slums. It's the same as usual, so it won't be inconvenient.

However, Gustav shook his head. I thought I saw a hint of regret in his eyes.

"It's not enough. The slums are not suitable for avoiding their attention."

He took out a rolled paper from the side, unfolded it, and showed it to me.

"There's a cabin in the forest. Take a short vacation there."

A map of the area around the city, with a mark on it. It's a bit far, but near a stream and in a place where people rarely go.

"That's fine, but…"

There's nothing to do there. I'll just live as usual, but the location will be a bit more remote. No problem. However,

"Without work, it sounds boring."

"Recently, I've always been giving you prey. You might think so."

I took enough time to memorize the location, and he rolled up the paper again. He didn't give me the map.

"But if anything happens to you, it would be a significant loss for me. Consider this a request from me."

"Even if I disappear, it won't cause any problems."

Gustav remained silent in response to my words.

It's overprotective.

As the conversation paused and became quiet, voices from the other side of the door could be heard.

It was almost noon. It's not unusual for customers to visit the shop during working hours.

However, the voices didn't enter the shop and only showed shadows under the door.

"…What's going on?"

"Who knows?"

I think it's overcautious, but I just heard that I might be targeted.

I leaned against the wall and braced myself. I extended my magic and searched outside the door.

Two small figures were visible.

It was Hailo and Riko.

"It's Hailo and Riko."

I said this to Gustav, who sighed and nodded toward the door.

"…Open it for them."

"Sure, sure."

I slowly opened the door. The two were frozen in surprise.

"What's wrong? Just come in."

"Oh, oh…"

"Excuse us…"

They moved together and awkwardly walked to Gustav.

"You don't seem to have brought any goods today?"

Upon hearing this, I noticed they were indeed empty-handed. What could it mean?

Hailo and Riko looked at each other, took a deep breath, and nodded. Hailo then spoke hesitantly.

"We came to consult something."

"Hmm?"

Gustav thought for a moment, then nodded and encouraged him to continue. Hailo's hand was trembling.

"We want you to introduce us to some work."

After saying this, he looked at Gustav with a sense of accomplishment. Their gazes met, and the atmosphere in the room froze.

"This is the first time. What's the reason?"

"We discussed it together."

He said this and then hesitated.

Riko also started to speak, as if to help.

"I think my illness is due to our current lifestyle."

"You're not living poorly, are you?"

"No, but…"

He slowly looked at me. He blinked slowly and then turned back to Gustav.

"If we only think about today, we won't be prepared for anything that happens tomorrow."

Riko smiled bitterly and looked down.

"…I'm not as smart as Riko, and I can't make as much money as he can."

Then, Hailo took over.

Is this what it means to be in sync?

It was unrelated to their conversation, but I was impressed.

"I was frustrated and couldn't do anything, so I just got in his way to feel like I was doing something."

Hold on. There's something that caught my attention.

"But this time, he saved us. Both Riko and I were helpless, but he easily saved us."

He continued sadly, but there was something that caught my attention more.

"Wait a minute."

The attention turned to me as I spoke. I felt the pressure but couldn't back down.

"What do you mean by 'getting in my way'?"

Hailo looked apologetic and answered.

"…I did various things. I spread the rumor that the meat sold by the crow guy… no, the crow, was crow meat and harassed him. I'm sorry."

"I didn't know about that?"

In response to my words, Gustav opened his mouth in exasperation.

"Didn't you notice? No wonder he was kind to you."

"Ah… So the reason the bird meat wasn't selling was because of that…?"

Such a trivial reason!?

Gustav scratched his head and tried to mediate.

"Well, you learned how troublesome rumors can be."

"That's true…"

My cheeks puffed up unconsciously.

Well, thanks to that, I could deal with the jade and the needlefish. It wasn't all bad. Plus, he apologized sincerely. I'll forgive him.

"No more, okay?"

I said this with a smile, and Hailo nodded. He pressed his own arm and nodded repeatedly.

There's one more thing I'm curious about.

"Who is the 'crow selling meat'?"

Hailo, asked, shuddered as if scared and looked down, speaking in a small voice.

"Well, I always called him the crow guy, but I thought adding 'guy' made it sound mocking."

Why is he using polite language? His voice gradually became smaller and finally stopped.

"Hmm, 'Crow,' that's a good name."

Gustav interjected.

"A good name?"

"Yes, a name. You didn't have a name, did you?"

I thought about it. Come to think of it, I've never had a proper name. People just call me 'you' or 'kid' or 'you.'

"Come to think of it, you have memories from birth. Do you have a name?"

I shook my head silently. There was no time for that.

I was alone soon after I was born.

"Then, why not? Names in the slums are all arbitrary. Hailo, Riko, and Nixky all got their names based on their appearance or actions."

"Is that how it works?"

"That's how it is."

If that's the norm, then that's how it is.

Hailo and Riko held their breath, as if waiting for my reaction.

I repeated it in my mind. Crow, Crow, yeah, not bad.

By the standards of my past life, it's not a proper name.

It's born from a derogatory term, which is a bit concerning.

But if I use this name, I can introduce myself with pride.

"My name is Crow…"

Yeah, it feels right.

"Um, do you… not like it?"

Hailo asked hesitantly. For some reason, I found it a bit amusing.

"Polite language doesn't suit you."

It's fine.

At least I have a name now.

My name.

It's a sufficient thank you for healing my injuries.

At least to me.

It's a simple name, but I'll try it out for a while.

If I don't like it, I'll change it immediately.

I have that freedom.