Capítulo 22: Chapter 16: Essential Information, Apparently
"Three tails huh... Oh what's Enda been up to? I haven't seen her for a few days"
The copy and I walked down some side streets towards Ota's home, it was obvious I was been taken the long way round and avoiding the main road.
"She's busy, sometimes we have to deal with every-"
*Bang* *Crack*
"*sigh* Don't about it, they're fine"
"Should we turn back?"
"No, there fine. The young master, not so much"
"..."
Ok, what the hell happened back there? I'll just add that to the growing list of questions for later.
"Your voice is different too huh? So with that number does that mean-"
"No there are not that many copies alive at once, we just don't... the number we each have is our identity, even if it is just a string of letters counting up, it means we existed... and hopefully be remembered"
I see, a touchy topic. I guess that explains Ari's willingness to give them proper names over just numbers. Well that and if left to their own devices... we end up with 'Eyebore' as a name, I should come up with a nickname for her I think.
Enda may be great at many things, but naming isn't one of them. At one point I heard she tried to call me 'Grip' because I couldn't let go of the relic while I was unconscious, she even went as far as to break my fingers trying to separate it, hence the very literal name.
Thank the gods Arisu stepped in.
I'm still not used to it, but I'm sure my name; Touji, will grow on me.
I wonder if that means I have a last name too? I don't think Enda does... She comes from a time when only nobles, royalty and powerful people could be recognised with something that was considered so grandiose.
"So why are we taking the back way?"
"Because you are not an adult, not yet and because of my optimised appearance, I'm not seen as one either... people will always judge others on appearance first"
"Tha- ah... ok. So, in other words, what are we avoiding?"
"Oh, my bad. We're avoiding Red Leaf Street, an area for... adult entertainment"
"Doesn't Ota live in a brothel anyway?"
"Yes, but unlike her, we are not exactly known by the guards now are we? She also does their job sometimes..."
She mumbled that last part to the point that I barely heard it.
"Do they even pay attention when stationed here?"
"Ask the captain, not me. I'm you'll meet him soon enough with your progress"
"What progress? I wasn't able to beat Rider without magic in such a cheap way... Same with Ota in a duel, I guess that Demon too"
"Demon? I didn't hear about that. Either way, over time you will grow and finding a route to victory in an otherwise losing scenario is a skill far more valuable than you realise. Hmm? Oh, Enda says 'Arisu can plan and execute her operations perfectly, but when it comes to thinking on her feet, she fails and only relies on her one trick skill-
-In that way those abilities are only a detriment until she sits down and reflects on her actions. As amazing as you may find someone, we are each full of flaws. Make the best parts of you better, however don't forget to improve in other areas-
-I think of you like a son I could never have-' urgh this is embarrassing, say it yourself Enda"
When Enda talked through Shinobi, her voice changed from a snarky yet deadpan accent to a perfect one to one impersonation and now her face was flushed red thanks to it.
It was kind of surprising to see a copy embarrassed for once, but she did look young enough to be bothered by such a thing.
"So that smaller body changes your emotions too?"
"Well, we thought it would be easier for subterfuge and spying. Who would expect a young girl would be stealing secrets that could ruin kingdoms? It helps if I can do more than just act the part, genuine emotions can go far"
She has a point, but it was still really weird and uncomfortable.
"Here we are, this is the back of the building. Ota's probably inside so we'll have to wonder through the front. Do you- oh... hmmm. In a few days we'll get you an Guild card, you'll need it in the future. Give me those coins and letters, I'll get Himisu-chan to cover all the shops and take this pouch"
"?"
"Arisu"
"No, I get the combination for her nickname, but that second part?"
"A suffix"
"Uh"
"It's culture from her and Tsumugi Makino's hometown, ask them about it"
I handed over the new and old coin pouches with the stack of letters as she passed back a different purse, a slime themed bag that wore a black headband.
That list of things to ask just keeps growing... *sigh*
"Ok, then what's this for?"
"Ask Ota, it's for tomorrow, she'll know what to do"
"And Sinclair's report?"
"I'll handle it, she should be at the entrance anyway"
"Then what was the point in leaving the workshop?"
"...You really want to know? Most would take an opportunity to leave and run with it. Besides, it's all boring work talk anyway, then paperwork, you know how to fill out taxes?"
"A little bit? It's like half right?"
"Half!? What in the hell, who taught you about that?"
"That's what it was back in Tyrants Rest, we gave it to the Lord of House Boretath who then splits it between the Boree's and Macht"
"What!"
The small copy grabbed me by the arms and pushed me against the seedy brothel wall behind me.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner! You know how important that is!?"
"What do you mean?!"
"Hmm, such a racket, a lovers quarrel perhaps?"
A woman resembling Clair approached us from the direction of the brothels entrance, she wore a beautiful black one-piece dress with an exposed leg. Not only that, but she has red skin and uncorrupted black eyes.
When a Daemon is lost to sin, their skin changes from pale blue to deep red and their eyes shift to a glow yellow. A trait wholly unique to their race and often mistaken for Oni.
"Please tell me you're Sinclair"
"Yes I am my dear boy, are you perhaps looking for me? Hmmm"
Her tone was flirtatious and she carried herself in an refined, but swaying manner, just like Clair. Unlike her sister, she has deep midnight coloured hair shaped into a trendy 'wave long' style.
"Give us your report"
"Us you say? Are you perhaps a copy?"
"Yes, I'm argh!-"
Sinclair grabbed Shinobi by her arms and spun her around, going from sexy seducer to overbearing mother in less than a second.
"Awww, but how could a copy be so cute! Tell me, do you have a name?"
"Let go of me you second rate spy!"
"Second rate? Mmm, after I've gone through so much trouble to gather information and free that guild branches employees?"
That hit me like a boulder. Not only did I completely forget they were captured, but made no attempt to think about it. I knew each of their names, their faces, yet I forgot about the situation entirely as I focused on recovery and training. I hope they are ok.
I gritted my teeth in shame, angry at myself again.
"Oh? What's this? Did I upset you young man?"
"No... I just forgot something I shouldn't"
"Hmmm, are you Touji by chance?"
"Yeah?"
"Very well then, I came back yesterday through the blizzard, but I've heard so much about you in my short time back"
"Are those people you saved alright?"
"They're all in one piece, right now they're in Concordia, no doubt enjoying the sun and waves fufu"
"Is that why it took you so long to get back?"
She almost froze in place before lowering Shinobi and talked in a serious manner, completely breaking the image I had of her.
"I need to speak to Enda. Not through a copy, why hasn't she come yet? I tried looking for her already, she should know I'm here"
"'Downfall'"
"So she's finally making a move, today of all days. I suppose it can wait two days, but no more, understood?"
"'Yes'"
"I know you have questions, copy. My report is extensive and if I heard you mention taxes before, well there's a ton I dug up on that Lord. I let Warren know the details as well"
"'So it involves the slave trade?'"
"Yes, it's of great importance. I expect payment when you visit. One last thing Enda, was the weather necessary"
"'Irmin believes so'"
*Tsk*
Despite her multiple fake personas that I could only guess happened to be extremely helpful in her own undercover operations, she confirmed a few thing I had only speculated about.
First being this strong snow storm wasn't a natural occurrence, but controlled natural magic that allowed Ota and I to move about without being blown off the side of the passage we took inside.
The Second was Irmin, Enda's staff. It wasn't a relic, nor an artifact, but the last remaining piece of the destroyed world tree Irminsul, which had its energy absorbed but the very dragons this city was built with.
No wonder I felt such strong intent that game me a brief headache from that odd tree branch the first time I saw it. The name is a dead giveaway but so absurd to even consider. Until now, I thought the entire tree perished.
Sinclair reached in-between her breasts to pull out a fake red flower petal and gave it to me.
"Head inside and hold that out, Rose wishes to speak to you"
"What about Ota? I need to speak to her"
"Rose is practically that kids mother, she'll want an explanation as to why she came shaking"
Shaking?
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Aardartem
Aardartem Man, just finished Tears of the Kingdom %100. What a game, 10/10.
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