Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 54

I stepped out of the blacksmith’s shop, breathing heavily. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have had to rush out like this, but her strange remarks forced me to take drastic measures.

I set down the culprit who had caused all this commotion and grabbed her cheeks with both hands, rubbing them vigorously.

“No more saying weird things outside! People will get the wrong idea!”

“It’s all for you, Master.”

All for me?

I appreciate the sentiment, but because of your “kindness,” I almost ended up in jail!

This was the classic case of good intentions leading to bad results!

Her attitude, as if she was trying to prove she had done nothing wrong by implicating me, irked me, so I pulled her cheeks even more.

“Uweee...”

Though her expression didn’t change, the way her arms flailed suggested that my lesson was sinking in. Gotcha!

As I stretched her cheeks like sticky rice cake, she seemed to be enjoying it a bit too much.

That should be enough. I let go, and a satisfying snapping sound echoed as her cheeks bounced back. She seemed to be in a bit of pain, clutching her cheeks with tears forming in her eyes.

Ugh. I can’t let myself get soft just because of that.

If I do, it’ll only encourage bad habits!

As I stared sternly down at Asti, she looked up at me with tear-filled eyes.

“...If Master enjoys this, I’ll endure it.”

Making me feel like a terrible person with her words!

“Hey, don’t say it like that!”

“You looked happy when you were pulling my cheeks...”

“When did I ever look happy?!”

Sure, it was cute how soft her cheeks were, and it was amusing, but that doesn’t mean I was happy about it!

“...Oh.”

“Wait, Muyon? No, that’s not what it is!”

I desperately tried to deny it as Muyon seemed to come to some sort of understanding.

“...Tanton prefers to be the one doing it rather than receiving...”

“What?! No, that’s not it!”

Finally, when I raised my voice to stop her, Muyon’s expression returned to normal.

This sneaky assassin maid! She was trying to socially ruin me again!

I had a feeling she’d been more proactive recently.

And with that last remark, Asti’s wrongdoing was completely overshadowed. Where did she learn this high-level manipulation?

Anyway, this wasn’t what I was supposed to be focusing on.

Her random outburst had completely derailed my train of thought.

The blacksmith, Simtol—he seemed like a typical grumpy old man who’d complain about how things used to be, but fortunately, things went smoother than expected.

Considering how kind he was to kids, it seemed he was a decent person after all.

“Well, at least everything turned out fine.”

“Yeah, I was actually planning to come by for a couple of days to keep pestering him, but I’m relieved it was resolved quickly.”

...Pestering that old man? Maybe Muyon is more mentally tough than she lets on, just playing a role. Otherwise, who would even consider coming back to pressure him?

Well, in any case, I managed to get a custom weapon, so that’s great.

“Thanks, Muyon. Because of you, I’m finally getting a proper weapon.”

“...But for your style, wouldn’t gauntlets or knuckles suit you better...”

“No way!”

“Eek!”

Does she even know what she’s talking about?

A knight who uses a lance is practical, but a knight who uses a sword is romantic. Mentioning any other type of knight is too niche or unorthodox.

Suggesting I take up martial arts instead? I’d rather quit being a knight and join the hunters for some wilderness adventures.

She probably thinks that because I borrowed Bell’s power during the fight with the Dragon Slayer, but relying on an external god’s power is too taxing. It drains life energy, and in a long battle, it could shorten my lifespan. I want to live a long life, so I’d rather avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

Phew. Now, let’s head to the market.

I lost track of time with all this conversation.

“I should head to the market now. There’s something I need to look into.”

“Oh, really? Hmm... I’ve got something scheduled later, so I can’t join you at the market.”

“That’s too bad. It would’ve been nice to have you along.”

I responded to Muyon’s words with a faint smile.

“Go ahead, try it.”

“...Yes.”

Asti accepted it but hesitated to take a bite. Maybe it was too pretty to eat?

“I’ll buy you another one next time we come to the market, so go ahead and enjoy it.”

“...Really?”

Ugh. Her uncharacteristic hesitation made me wonder what kind of life she had led, and it made me feel awful.

“Yeah, if you like, we can come here every day.”

“...Thank you, Master.”

When I smiled at Asti, she finally decided to take a bite of the macaron. After chewing a few times, her eyes widened in delight, which was just adorable.

I should bring her here more often.

If she enjoys it this much.

“...My mother used to give me sweets sometimes. They were delicious.”

She must have been kidnapped by illegal slave traders.

I should have beaten them up more.

“No, my mother trained me as a slave and then sold me.”

“...What?”

Did I just hear something I shouldn’t have?

Did I hear that correctly?

What kind of insane mother would train her child as a slave and then sell her?

I felt like I was about to explode with anger.

But Asti herself remained calm, taking another bite of the macaron and swallowing slowly.

“My mother was a strong person. Maybe she’ll become even stronger in the future. She must have had her reasons for sending me away... Ugh.”

I was listening to Asti’s first-ever complaint when she suddenly let out a pained sound.

“Are you okay?”

“...I cut my tongue on the cookie part.”

Asti stuck out her tongue and looked at me.

...Huh?

“What are you doing?”

“Here.”

She mumbled, her words garbled, pointing to the back of her tongue.

There was a red spot, so it did seem like she had cut her tongue.

“Okay, now put your tongue back in.”

“Yes.”

Asti quickly complied and resumed eating the macaron.

She acted as if nothing had happened, but somehow, I couldn’t shake the feeling that her silence wasn’t just because of the macaron.

I wandered around the market, hoping to find something useful, but it wasn’t easy to come across an information vendor.

They’re usually hidden, but this was ridiculous.

Even after wandering through alleys that seemed more suited for “organ donation,” I still couldn’t find anything.

I figured there’d at least be one around, but there was absolutely nothing.

Who knows when I’ll have time for this again?

Maybe I should check for a hidden branch of the vigilante group or something.

Just as I was about to leave the market to look around the nearby inns, I heard a voice whisper in my ear.

“What are you wandering around for? If you’re looking to buy information, I can give you a good deal.”

I froze.

Was it because I’d finally found what I was searching for?

That was part of it, maybe 30%.

But more than that...

The voice sounded familiar, like I’d heard it somewhere before.

Slowly, I turned toward the source of the voice, and there, with her distinct dark brown hair and sharp eyes—now filled with a playful intensity—stood someone I didn’t expect to see.

And with an arm that should have been gone, waving casually, her face wore that familiar mischievous grin.

“Hehe, long time no see.”

Looking more confident than before, there she was—Agartha.