Kapitel 10: Chapter 10 : Ikaruga!!
Ikaruga was a stunning woman clad in a kimono, balancing on towering heels. Her lengthy pink locks were fashioned into adorable bunny ears atop her head, enhancing her graceful form as she strolled, causing bystanders to drift into endless daydreams.
Accompanying her were two peculiar individuals.
One towered with a muscular frame, yet possessed the head of a hawk.
The other boasted skin paler than chicken feet soaked in potion, with obsidian eyelids and lips, cascading long hair, and an attire reminiscent of Gray's lack of clothing. He exuded pure eccentricity.
In the presence of beauty, instinct dictates a glance, yet it's impolite to linger too long.
Everit turned his gaze elsewhere.
After a while, he settled for dinner.
And there, in the restaurant, he encountered the trio once more, seated at a neighboring table.
Overhearing the conversation, the white-skinned Shamate (Vidaldus Taka) remarked, "Captain Ikaruga, you shouldn't confine yourself to mundane tasks. The high-paying ordinary quests are monopolized by regular guilds, leaving us with significantly lower commissions!"
Ikaruga, the pink-haired woman, took a sip of sake, her voice magnetic and captivating, laced with a charming Kansai accent. "I'm at liberty to accept any assignment," she declared.
The white-skinned Shamate persisted, "But aren't you in need of funds? Assassination contracts yield far greater rewards than dozens of ordinary commissions! Besides, the new guild leader is growing increasingly discontent. Were it not for our status as guild elites and the former captain's influence, he'd have us transferred to another team."
Ikaruga cast a sidelong glance, "Jack and I are not cut from the same cloth."
Vidaldus Taka offered a reluctant smile, "I didn't mean to imply that. It's all up to the captain."
The owl-headed man (Fukuro) interjected with a comical tone, "Oh, oh, oh! I think Captain Jack is the right one!"
"I don't care about justice," Ikaruga replied, "Enough of this discussion; it may unnerve others. Let's disperse after dinner. I'll notify you when the next mission arises."
"Understood."
"Oh, oh, oh."
The conversation ceased, and they resumed their meal in silence.
Meanwhile, Everit reviewed the photos he had taken.
Ikaruga, catching sight of the camera in Everit's grasp, raised her head momentarily, her pink lips forming a faint smile before swiftly concealing it.
Having dined, Everit contemplated finding lodging.
As he ventured forth, the surroundings grew increasingly desolate.
"Hmm? Am I headed toward East Town?" Everit considered retracing his steps.
Suddenly, a child collided with his thigh.
"Apologies, brother," the child murmured, bowing his head before darting away.
Everit patted his pocket with a wry smile, opting not to give chase.
"Just some spare change," he mused.
The other person was still just a child.
If the boy was of good nature, then stealing must have been a last resort. The money would undoubtedly be of help.
But if he was of ill intent, Everit saw no point in preaching to a child rotten to the core. It would be a waste of time, emotion, and perhaps even more money. Not worth it.
Of course, if it were an able-bodied adult...
Well, then there would certainly be a lesson to be taught.
Everit turned, searching for the inn, yet his attention was caught by the night market in town.
Night markets tended to be livelier than during the day.
While the day drew families with children, nighttime brought forth thrilling performances once the little ones were tucked in bed.
Acrobatic troupes, singers, dancers, and magicians took to the stage one after another.
Some performers barely covered themselves, leaving little to the imagination.
"I'm a magician too," Everit mused wistfully, "but alas, I lack an assistant girl."
He chuckled at the memory of Bob's advice, swiftly shaking off any notions.
No messing around with girls like those in Blue Pegasus!
He was merely eighteen, getting involved would spell trouble, unless he were as seasoned as Gildarts.
Meanwhile, the child walked on, glancing back to find no one in pursuit, heaved a sigh of relief.
Opening his hand, he found a handful of damp, crumpled coins.
"Sorry," he murmured to himself, straightening out the money before heading to a stall.
"Could I please have some roast duck?" he asked politely, handing over the damp coins.
"This is your payment," the shop owner grimaced slightly at the soggy money.
"I apologize," the child hurriedly said.
"Forget it," the shopkeeper glanced over the coins, selecting the least damaged ones to accept.
The child said nothing as he received the wrapped roast duck, his expression tight-lipped.
"Take care," the shopkeeper said.
With the hot roast duck wrapped in his arms, the child darted off towards East Town.
East Town was a decrepit place, fraught with dangers.
Yet, this child knew the streets like the back of his hand, navigating between safe spots and pitfalls with ease.
He navigated through numerous twists and turns until he stumbled upon a narrow alley, where a figure in a kimono stood, clutching bags of various sizes.
"Sister Ikaruga!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Ah, Ryder." Ikaruga turned, her gaze landing on the boy with a mixture of astonishment and concern.
Yet, her attention swiftly shifted as she noticed a bulge in the child's chest, hinting at something concealed.
Her expression hardened. "Ryder, have you taken something?!"
"I'm sorry, Sister Ikaruga, but Emily is dying. Roast duck was her favorite, so I..." Ryder's voice wavered, struggling to contain his emotions.
"Emily is dying?!" Ikaruga's shock was palpable. "Didn't her condition stabilize after my departure?!"
"Let's discuss this on the way home!" Ikaruga briskly ushered Ryder towards their residence.
As they walked, Ryder recounted Emily's plight.
"On the fourth day following your departure, Emily's condition worsened. The doctor prescribed costly medication, which we barely managed to procure. Her condition stabilized briefly, but without continued access to top-tier treatment, she deteriorated rapidly."
"We tried reaching you, but..." Ryder trailed off, his voice laden with despair. "It was futile."
"Emily expressed her wishes not to trouble you..." His words faltered, choked by grief. "However, later our savings depleted, leaving us with no choice but to bring her home and witness her declining health."
"It's too late."
"Indeed."
"Emily longed for roast duck, so I..." Ryder's voice trailed off, his sorrow echoing in the silence.
Tears welled up in Ikaruga's eyes, shimmering as they trailed down her cheeks.
"Welcome home, Sister Ikaruga," Ryder murmured, tears glistening in his eyes as he prepared to perform the customary greeting.
They arrived at a small courtyard, where a group of children, clad in worn yet clean attire, awaited.
"Sister Ikaruga!" they exclaimed, clustering around her as she entered.
"These are for you. I must attend to Emily," Ikaruga announced, placing the bags down before hurrying inside.
But soon thereafter, Ikaruga emerged, her expression fraught with anguish.
Her once vibrant makeup was now marred by streaks of tears, yet she hastily reapplied it, and then declared, "Ryder, let's make haste and return the money to its rightful owner!"
"Sister Ikaruga," Ryder was taken aback, "Not at this moment. When faced with such matters, it's best to leave the roast duck for someone else."
"Quiet!" Ikaruga's tone turned stern, "Emily cannot partake of a thief's brother's meal, lest she forfeit her passage to heaven!"
Ryder trembled.
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