SWNOVELXO Chapter 7 Part 4
The Next Day.
Unfazed, I found myself in the town of Lapis once again, waiting for a particular person.
As soon as I waved at my companion, she puffed up her cheeks and huffed, “Geez, Meg, you’re late!”
It was my best friend, Fine.
“Oh, don’t be so grumpy. It’s only about five minutes, right?”
“It’s been twenty minutes!”
“I see?”
Ever since that incident with Mary, I had been afraid to go outside. I couldn’t shake the feeling that those demonic eyes were still watching me.
“By the way… why do you have an owl on your head?”
Fine eyed the top of my head suspiciously. At the moment, I was walking around with my familiar, a white owl, perched there. Apparently, it made me look like some kind of street performer.
“I needed a lookout, and I figured it was best to hire someone with a broad field of vision.”
“I mean… yeah, I guess an owl has a wide field of vision, but… Did you get into trouble again? Did you… murder someone this time?”
“Ha ha ha, what a wild imagination.”
After instructing my white owl to patrol the area for a while, we entered a smaller café, different from Onette’s shop.
We placed our orders and took a breather. Before long, Fine leaned forward and asked, “So?”
“So?”
“What’s today’s agenda? You didn’t just invite me out for fun, did you?”
“What makes you say that?”
“I can tell by looking at you. How long do you think we’ve been friends? You’re troubled by something, aren’t you? If you want, I’m here to listen.”
“Oh, so that’s how you lure men in—with sweet words and cute gestures, you damn harlot.”
“Do you have a death wish?”
Fine sighed, exasperated.
She had hit the nail on the head. The reason I asked her out today was to gather information about Mary.
During that café incident, I had learned that Mary was Fine’s neighbor. Mary seemed to know quite a bit about Fine, which meant they likely had some kind of relationship.
If that was the case, Fine might have some useful information about Mary’s family situation.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you about a girl named Mary, the one who lives near you.”
“Mary? Yeah, I know her… but why?”
“It’s a rather urgent matter.”
“Hmm? Well, I don’t mind. I only talk to her occasionally, so I don’t know that much.”
“That’s fine. Just tell me what you do know. Is there anything… off about her family? Any dark rumors? Maybe abuse? Or perhaps she’s actually a stepchild from a remarriage?”
“What’s with the gossip column-level questioning?”
“Just spill it.”
At first, Fine looked skeptical, but once she realized I was serious, her expression turned solemn.
“Dark rumors about Mary’s family, huh? They’ve always been a close-knit family. I’ve never heard anything about remarriage or stepchildren. But…”
“But?”
I leaned in, causing Fine to flinch slightly.
“W-Well, I once saw her father, Ted, in town, and he looked really down. When I asked my mom about it, she said he had failed in business or something.”
“A business failure…”
“Yeah, he was really depressed for a while. Apparently, he even got involved with some shady people, and there were rumors that he got caught up in some kind of religion.”
“A religion? Which one?”
“I don’t know. There wasn’t any concrete evidence, and Ted eventually calmed down, so the rumors just faded away. People figured it was just a misunderstanding. Even if he did get into it, it was probably a passing phase. I don’t think he’s involved anymore.”
“I see…”
After saying that, Fine suddenly added, as if remembering something.
“Oh yeah, I did see him wearing a pendant the other day.”
“A pendant?”
“Yeah, it was silver and shaped like a pentagram. Kind of weird for a grown man to wear an accessory like that. I figured it was something left over from his past.”
“Hmmm.”
A pentagram accessory. Shady acquaintances. A failed business.
Too many intriguing details to ignore. It might be worth investigating further.
“Hey, Meg. Enough dodging—what’s all this about? Why make me talk about this?”
“Oh, uh, it’s just a hobby of mine…?”
“Hah?”
“Well, that Mary girl is so cocky, you know? I wanted to get back at her, so I asked my dear neighbor Fine for some dirt, but all I got were scraps that are barely usable. Man, what a letdown. Heh heh heh.”
“You’re unbelievable…”
Fine sighed, exasperated, while I grinned shamelessly. However, her expression remained slightly uneasy.
“You’re not planning something dangerous, are you?”
“Eh? Whatever do you mean, my lady?”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
That fastball of a remark struck me right in the heart. Unable to withstand the impact, I muttered, “I’m sorry…”
Fine then looked at me with the tender expression of a mother scolding her mischievous child.
“You don’t have to tell me everything. I know there’s something you can’t say.”
“Fine…”
“But promise me this—don’t do anything reckless. Stay safe.”
“Should we get married?”
“Idiot.”
I’m sorry, Fine.
I might not be able to keep that promise.
I remember what my master once told me:
In the world of magic, a careless act can put others in danger.
Speaking of demons in front of ordinary people is forbidden.
“Listen, Meg. Careless rumors spread the recognition of curses. Non-human entities speak to those who acknowledge their existence. For someone without magic, knowing about demons can be fatal. Be mindful of the words you utter.”
I have never forgotten those words.