The were-leopard sat at the counter.
The seats on both of her sides were vacant.
I heard the response of the shop owner as she called.
It feels like she’s quite familiar with the other customers.
For the time being, I turned towards the Ashinto.
They were satisfactory drinking in the inner corner of the tavern.
There’s no sign  that they were really conscious about the were-leopard.
Their behaviour were indeed detestable but…
I feel like that were-leopard was already familiar with them.
I think even the other customers were also the same.
This appears to be a response to seeing a famous celebrity who have always been visiting this establishment.
However, no one talks with her.

[I will inquire myself whether this story about the Witch of Taboos we’ve talked about earlier were real.]

I said towards the men sitting at the same table.
The man laughed and removed his hand from my shoulder.

[The courage of young people really are great. Well then, we’ll be leaving soon. I’ve drank more than usual, so I got drunk. I want to get some fresh air… urmmff…]

The two of them began leaving their seats.
Staggering, they went out of the tavern.
I promptly went back to where Seras sat.
After listening to their story, I handed a silver coin towards the both of them.

[Then, let’s go.]
[If something were to happen, I’ll handle it immediately.]
[I don’t really intend to cause any trouble, though I’ll rely on you when it comes to that.]

I would like to avoid using my skills in this place if it’s possible.
If such a situation were to happen, I would only rely on Seras’ combat ability.

[I’m counting on you.]

With a tense expression on her face, Seras places her hand over chest.

[Leave it to me.]

I started walking to the counter seats.
And to the seat next to the were-leopard, I sat.
Requested another glass of herbal water.
Placing one silver coin in front of the were-leopard, I spoke.

[Will you allow me to treat you to something?]

Silently, the were-leopard turned towards me.
After a moment of silence…

[What do you want?]

She asked.
It seems that she could properly speak the human language.
Phew…
This means conversation with her is possible.
The were-leopard’s voice is vigorous.
On the other hand, you could also feel calmness in it.
Her voice is also not so rough.
It was clear, free-flowing voice.

[I heard some rumours about you, so I thought of meeting you at least once. You can call me Hati. A mercenary.]
[I’m Eve Speed.]

After naming herself, Eve stared at me for a while.

[Is this your first time seeing a were-leopard?]
[Yes.]
[And yet, you hardly showed any curious reactions.]

I can’t make any careless reply.
I don’t know yet what could trigger her wrong buttons.
With a smile on my face, I said.

[I’ve already seen a lot of things on my travels. It may be rude, but I won’t be surprised seeing a were-leopard.]

I’m talking about that two-headed humanoid panther monster I’ve met at the Disposal Ruins.
I’ve also heard some things about synthetic beasts from other people.
If I were to compare it to those monsters, I could hardly be surprised with her existence.

Chompp~!

Eve is heartily eating her meat in bone dish.
After chomping on it, she began licking away the leftover oil in her hand.
At that time, her cat-like eyes turned towards me.

[That’s a hearty way of eating.]
[Fumu, don’t you hate looking at someone uncivilized like me?]

She’s trying to measure up something.
She suddenly shown off such a manner of eating.
It seems that she’s trying to see my reaction.

[I can’t really say I’m a refined person myself. Besides, it’s best to eat deliciously rather than minding how you eat. Ah— Speaking of which, you’re a Blood Champion—]
[State your business.]
[………………]
[You didn’t meet me because I’m a Blood Champion. Am I mistaken?]

An embarrassed smile appeared on my face.

[I- I got caught huh… I guess that’s to be expected…]

Well, I had an atmosphere that says I really have a purpose.
It’s good that she easily noticed it.

[So, what’s your business?]

Fumu.
So, she’ll hear me out huh…
Timidly, I listened to her.

[It was said that you know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos…]
[That witch is in Golden Demon Zone. Anyone already knows about this rumor.]
[I have heard that you knew exactly where “her whereabouts” in that Demon Zone…]
[Kuku…]

A muffled laugh came out from Eve’s mouth.

[So, you’re one of those people who believed in the rumors you heard from one person.]
[Are you saying that the rumors I’ve heard about were fake?]
[Yeah. It was indeed the truth that I’ve met a witch when I went inside the Golden Demon Zone. However, I’ve never met the Witch of Taboos.]
[What about that story where you only said her whereabouts to your fellow Blood Champions?]
[…I’ve been wandering about in the Demon Zone for two weeks at that time. Just as I thought that I would die, I was saved by the Witch of Taboos’ magic— I remember saying this kind of joke towards the other Blood Champions a few days ago.]
[I see, so that joke began changing as it was transmitted from one person to another… In short, you don’t know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?]
[I’m sorry, but that’s right.]

My shoulders dropped.

[Is that so…]
[I’m sorry that I can’t meet your expectations. But, that’s the truth.]

Eve went back to eating her meat.
While wiping her hands, she asked me.

[Why have you asked about the Witch of Taboos?]
[I guess it’s more of about my research? It’s my dream to be a scholar in the future after all.]

I take out some of the utensils I bought earlier in my bag.
Showing them towards her.
These are utensils that every aspiring scholars must have.
Well, that’s just my image of them.

[I’m thinking of hiring a mercenary here in Monroy so that I could meet the Witch in the Demon Zone. I may also find some unknown plants that I—]
[You should stop now.]

Eve vigorously interrupted.

[That place isn’t some place that people could just step into and easily survive. Even me, the strongest warrior of Urza’s Blood Colosseum, can’t survive for almost half a month. I know that this would be rude, but I don’t think you could survive in that place even for 3 days.]

Looking downwards, I smiled.
There were feelings of gratitude for her mixed with it.

[It seems that Eve-san was worried about me. Thank you very much.]

Eve showed some unexpected reaction on her face.
Even though she had the face of a leopard, I could properly see some facial expressions on it.

[Fumu.]

Astonished, Eve exhales out a sigh.

[You’re a softhearted person huh…]

Embarrassed, I scratched my head a bit.

[I was often told that by others.]

I certainly was told something like that.
Well, it’s back when I was still living with my Uncle’s family.

[Looking at you, you’re still quite young. You should cherish your life more.]

Eve picks up the silver coin that I placed in front of her.
She then places it in front of me.

[Though I say that… I don’t think I have that much of a persuasiveness as a Blood Champion, people who were known to be crude with their own life.]

Leaving those words, Eve left the tavern.
With the silver coin back into my pocket, I also left my seat.
I turned towards the door of the tavern where Eve disappeared.

[…………..]

They resemble a bit.
I called out to “her” who was standing behind me.

[Misra.]
[Yes.]

During the whole conversation with Eve, Seras had been leaning against a pillar near the counter seat.

[Let’s go.]
[Yes.]

We promptly left the tavern.
After walking for a bit, we stopped.

[That conversation with Eve Speed just now, how is it?]

Presently, I need to know something first.
Whether she’s lying or not.
That was obviously the first thing I need to know.
That’s right—

[She lied.]

“Did she really know the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos?”

Eve’s answered that “she didn’t know”.

Seras Ashrain knows if someone lies.

As I had instructed, Seras leaned on a nearby pillar to listen to our conversation.

It’s so that she could judge the authenticity of her words.

[By denying this, she has shown evidence for us instead.]

That means—-

[Eve Speed knows the whereabouts of the Witch of Taboos.]