Chapter 181 - Poison Ivy Part 6

"Shouldn't you tell Akito where you are?" Natasha asked. Before she gave away the information, she knew. Natasha was worried that Akito didn't know where Setsura was. No wonder he looked so agitated and irritated. His wife actually ran away from home.

A deep sigh escaped Setsura's lips, "I wanted to give him some space to fool around with his mistress."

Her sweat fell at how casually Setsura said it. "Are you talking about the servant girl? I thought they broke things off with one another."

A dark aura surrounded the girl, and her sweat fell, "Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned her."

"Everybody knew about her?"

"More like, she was always sticking herself to Akito. So even if we wanted to ignore her, we couldn't."

"That girl is a snake."

"A snake?"

Setsura nodded, "Just like a snake."

The girl doesn't clarify it, and Natasha paused to think about her words. From what she has learned so far about Setsura, this person doesn't do anything without reason. If Setsura believes there is something wrong with Mizuna, she is most likely spot on. Besides, Natasha never liked that girl either. Still, three days ago, she caught an unusual scent on Akito.

It seems like Setsura doesn't know about it? Does she tell her? But what if it was her imagination? Natasha shook her head; it would be better to tell her. For the next few minutes, Natasha tells the girl everything. At certain points in the conversation, Natasha wondered if she ought to continue. But she did, and the conversation ended.

"I see, so tonight. Somebody plans to have me killed, so I'm removed from the time paradox and return to my own time."

In the end, she told her everything, but was it okay for her to say something like that? Due to her getting caught up in one of the earlier incidences. It took Natasha quite some time to remember the job Izu gave her before he disappeared. He told her to watch over the next subject. Many subjects have appeared in the years since he disappeared. However, Natasha kept her word. She watched over them until she realized the meaning behind Izu's words. The subject Izu wants her to watch over isn't necessarily the next ones.

"Though it does sound unusual since you decided to tell me ahead of time, all is good."

How can she act so calm about this? Rather, Izu predicted the girl's death before she even came here. That itself should be surprising. But right now, all Natasha could focus on was the words the girl just said to her.

"But, if I knew somebody would murder me tonight. I wouldn't have stayed away from Akito and worked so hard... What a huge waste of time."

"Do you believe everything I told you?" Natasha mumbled. Setsura's reaction surprised her; normally, people wouldn't believe such things. But how come she agrees to it so easily? It makes little sense to her.

"There's no reason for me to doubt you. Besides, I've done my studying. Apparently, the guardians have a Princess, but she lost her abilities during one of her jobs. She ended up getting stuck at a certain time. That's you, isn't it?" Setsura asked.

Natasha blinked in surprise. This girl, she investigated that much in a short amount of time? She is sure Izu and Oslo didn't leave any clues. However, it seems like they did.

"Yes."

"You're also Akito's friend, that's a legit enough reason for me to believe you."

So Akito's friends have that privilege. If Setsura knew that she liked Akito before, would she get angry? "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"Though I hate the thought of death. There are things I dislike even more. If these cases keep piling up, without being solved, then civilization will cease to exist."

At that comment, her eyes widened. "Setsura-chan, who are you? really?"

"A time traveler as you would call it."

"But, even then, you know too much."

Setsura smiled, "That's because I studied these events in the future. What happened during this time... I already know. But, even if I say that. I've altered reality due to my interfering with the events here."

"Wait, I'm confused.... You were only sent here to complete a set of cases. Why would that affect the future so much?"

"Because these cases are trials that somebody else is supposed to go through. The original person who is meant to solve these crimes would be my ancestor."

"Your..."

"I still haven't found her yet, though. So my guess is she must have encountered an accident. That's the reason why I could take her place."

"I see..."

"But honestly, after studying for three days. I've learned more than I should. It seems like there is a huge tree not too far from the town?"

"Ah, yes, it's called the tree of life," Natasha nodded. "Many people go to it and pray there. The situation with religion is still risky, but some have faith in that tree."

"If you're praising it, it seems like you don't understand yet."

Natasha looked at Setsura, puzzled. Understand what? The girl stood up and made her way over to the door, her lips curve to a smile. "Interestingly enough, they are monitoring us. Did you do something dangerous young miss?"

Her eyes widened in alarm when she heard those words. People are actually monitoring them? How come? Natasha knew she attracted a lot of attention whenever she came here. But nothing like this has happened before.

"Relax," Setsura smiled. "They are after me and not you. I wonder who tipped them off."

"Setsura."

"Well, it's not like this conversation is particularly interesting anyway. Let them listen," she walked back over to the couch and sat down opposite her.

Natasha could only stare at the girl with wide eyes. Why is this person so calm and composed? She watched as Setsura picked up the cup on one of the trays and brought the tea to her mouth. A deep sigh, however, escaped her lips, "Poison."

Poison?!!!

"They aren't subtle about their hate for me..."

Why is she still so calm? Not only are they watching over her carefully, somebody tried to poison her. If it weren't for her, would they have tried something already? While Natasha knew there are many here who would try to take advantage of her. But, they'd never intentionally harm her.

"Setsura, please stay here with me. Don't move around."

"But," she trailed off. "Don't you have a meeting or something to attend to? I couldn't possibly come along with you."

"But, your..."

Setsura chuckles, "Relax, I'm sure Akito will come for me."

"Eh, but he doesn't know where you are..."

"He will come."

"So about the tree," Natasha brought up. "Will you tell me why it's so dangerous?"

"Hold on; there are still a lot of things I need to sort out. I'll work the rest out with Akito. This is enough of me going solo. Two minds work better than one."

Natasha glanced down, "I see."

"But, you can come over in a day or two. I will give you all the answers then."

A day or two? Maybe she only needs to confirm something?