CH 27

Episode 27 – Enjoyable Exchange 

TL Note: Along with today’s chapter, there will be a total of 3 sponsored chapters coming out between today and tomorrow, thanks to Al’s donation on Ko-Fi! Thanks so much for your support, much love! Enjoy 

Just as Ahmed-san was about to answer my question, Smash came forward. His face was easy to read, and I immediately recognized it as the face he normally had in the moments before saying something that would earn him a punch from Ahmed.

“Kyaa~~! Lewin was in front of me, so I just got so excited, you see? Sorry I frightened you! I was just too eager to see you. Then… ku–WAHAHA!! In the end the one who got surprised was you!” (Smash)

“HEY! Are you mocking me, Smash? Alright, you’re the one who asked for it. Get over here and catch these hands, Smash!!” (Ahmed)

“Calm down, I wasn’t trying to pick a fight. Plus, not a single person in their right mind would go near you when you’re baring your fangs like a demon, Elisa!” (Smash)

They were wreaking total havoc in the middle of the market street, but it was really fun seeing them like this. At first, I felt bad seeing him get punched so hard all the time, but, after I knew he was aiming to take these punches on purpose, I could look at the scene and laugh.

“Lewin-kun… why are you laughing? Is it that funny?” (Dion)

“Yes, it’s funny. Everyone from the [Azure Alliance] is just so entertaining, so it’s always fun to be with you guys.” (Lewin)

“How do I say this… it seems like you’ve changed, Lewin-kun.” (Dion)

“Oi, Dion. Who’s the weirdo of Grezesta? You get your ass over here too!” (Ahmed)

“No no, it was totally… uh… Lewin-kun who said that just now, not me. Plus, the people who I heard calling you a weirdo were random people around saying that of their own accord– please don’t come over here with that evil grin on your face!!” (Dion)

Dion, who was rarely targeted by Ahmed, was caught on the spot and took a punch to the head as well. And now…she was approaching me, leaving Dion and Smash in her wake, both lying on the floor rubbing their heads.

I was in a very pleasant mood just a moment ago, but that notion vanished as quickly as it came when suddenly a chill ran down my spine as I felt like a ferocious beast was stalking me. Ahmed was approaching me with a predatory smile on her face and her fist raised, and since I knew there was no way I could run from her, I just stood there waiting, already resigned to my fate.

How does one say this… the gap between Ahmed’s behavior and appearance are really something else. At the root, she could be ferocious and go into a rage at times, but she had an elegant appearance that drew one’s eyes. In the times when she was simple-mindedly having fun and joking around, she could even look as refined as a painting. When I wondered if it would be better for her to always be like this, I couldn’t help but feel that I thought the violent Ahmed was more interesting. After all, there was a kind of thrill from not knowing what she would do at any moment.

“Oi, Lewin. Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?” (Ahmed)

“…Ah! No, I was just surprised because I thought I would get beaten up.” (Lewin)

“Kakaka! Well, that’s because the reaction I get from frightening you is far more amusing than if I were to beat you up. That expression you have when you close your eyes and freak out is seriously the best!!” (Ahmed)

“When you brandish your fist like that, any normal person would get scared!! …..Anyway! What were you guys up to?” (Lewin)

Er… just what was Ahmed trying to do earlier?

Well, even if I thought about it for a lifetime, I wouldn’t understand the reasons behind her actions, so I thought that maybe I should just get back to searching for the ingredients I came here for.

I returned to browsing the market alone, and after some close inspection, stocked up on the ingredients that looked good. Then, I returned to the rundown inn. I put the ingredients I stocked up on near the Magical Grass… and now, my preparations were complete.

It was time to start the hellish work of consuming all of this Magical Grass. If I knew how to make potions, it would probably make this a lot easier… Oh well. I mustered up my enthusiasm and got to work with eating up all of the Magical Grass I collected.