Chapter 87

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Fuka Shinonome.

She is an explorer known by the nickname "Sword Maiden," belonging to the clan "Crimson Dusk" which has an S-rank party. Despite being a defender, she also serves as the ace of the S-rank party, making her a unique explorer.

She possesses an extraordinary ability called "Future Vision," and it is said that no one, human or beast, has ever touched her during battle.

Indeed, her ability is so powerful that it stands out even among other abilities. However, I believe her strength does not solely depend on her ability. The core of her strength lies in her sword skills, which can be called a masterpiece, and her high physical abilities.

Even if she could see the future, dealing with it requires her own physical and mental capabilities. If these were low, having "Future Vision" would be a waste.

I saw her battle for the first time during a joint hunt, and her refined, efficient movements left a deep impression, confirming that she is the perfect form of the avoidance type that Carol aims for.

Moreover, she is from the island nation of Kyotou in the eastern part of the continent. The clothes she wears are from Kyotou, known as a kimono. They have a unique charm and suit her very well.

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Fuka and I moved to a place with fewer people and started eating skewers together.

"Is it delicious?"

In response to my question, Fuka nodded her head up and down.

Her expression didn't change much, but she exuded a very happy atmosphere.

If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging.

"Oren, thank you. It was delicious."

The meat on the skewers Fuka held disappeared in no time, and she expressed her gratitude.

"You're welcome. But why didn't you have any money?"

"I was walking with Kati, and she confiscated my money. Then she left me on my own."

There are a few things I want to comment on...

Kati must be Kattina Aldum, who also belongs to "Crimson Dusk." She seems to be a responsible person.

I wonder who left whom...

"Why was your money confiscated...?"

I couldn't help but ask the question I most wanted to.

"I don't know. I was just buying what I wanted to eat."

Fuka's mood seemed to drop again.

She really is skilled at expressing herself without changing her expression much...

"O-Oh, I see... Well, I'm glad you're satisfied. Just don't cause trouble for the street vendors in the future. They usually operate on a cash-on-delivery basis."

"Okay, this time I talked to the vendor before realizing Kati was gone, so I acted rashly. I'll be more careful next time. And I want to do something to thank you. I can't hold back in the martial arts tournament because Halt told me not to, but is there anything else?"

So Fuka is also participating in the martial arts tournament.

And she won't hold back, either.

I have some strategies in mind, but I can't be sure if they'll work until I face her, and it's going to be tough.

"Hmm, I don't really have anything in mind... What's wrong?"

When I told her I didn't have anything in mind, Fuka was looking at the crowd.

"A theft is about to happen."

When I asked what was wrong, Fuka replied.

(Not 'happened,' but 'about to happen,' huh.)

While thinking about this, I looked in the direction Fuka was looking. There was a man with a nervous, darting gaze.

The suspicious man snatched a woman's bag in front of him and tried to escape by pushing through the crowd.

The woman whose bag was stolen screamed, "Help! Thief!" and the people around her paid attention to the victim.

What a bold crime...

If Fuka hadn't been there, I might have overlooked it. In that sense, it makes sense, right?

No, it's still a crime, so it's against reason.

"Oren, should we catch him?"

Fuka asked me.

"Yeah, I think so. If he commits a crime right in front of us, we should at least understand the situation."

The criminal was already quite far away, but I had already activated my original magic, "Target Capture," so I could track him within a few kilometers. As I was thinking this, Fuka disappeared from beside me.

Fuka moved through the crowd at a considerable speed, reducing the distance to the thief to less than half.

(I didn't feel the unique flow of magic when her ability activated. So, she has those physical abilities without any support magic...)

I was once again impressed by Fuka's agility and physical abilities.

In no time, Fuka moved in front of the thief to block his path.

The thief, holding a small blade, tried to slash at Fuka.

The people around them quickly moved away, making it easier for Fuka to move.

The thief's amateur attack, of course, didn't reach Fuka. She easily grabbed the thief's arm and threw him to the ground with a move similar to a suplex.

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When I approached Fuka, the thief said, "Damn! I got caught. Hey! Just hand me over to the military!"

Despite being a thief, he had a clear attitude. I wonder what to do with him...

"Fuka!? What are you doing to a civilian!?"

While thinking about how to handle the situation, I heard a voice from a different woman, not the one whose bag was stolen. I turned to see a woman in her early twenties with chestnut, natural wavy hair.

"It's not what you think. I just caught a thief."

It was Kattina Aldum, an explorer from the same "Crimson Dusk" as Fuka.

"Long time no see, Kattina."

"Oren Doura? ...Why are you with Fuka?"

Kattina looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"I just met her by chance and we were talking. Then a theft happened, so I helped catch the thief."

"Is that so? Did Fuka cause any trouble?"

Kattina believed me easily and started to act like a guardian.

Was it Fuka who wandered off on her own?

"Kati, don't be rude. I didn't cause any trouble. Oren just bought me some skewers."

"WHAT!? Skewers!? I told you to stop eating so much!"

Why did she tell the truth so easily...

Even I, who hardly know her, can tell how Kattina would react.

So, her money was confiscated because she ate too much...

I respected Fuka as a warrior and thought she was cool, but her image is gradually breaking down...

"When I tried to manage her money, she just wandered off and started begging, which is so embarrassing..."

Kattina held her head and complained.

Begging might be an exaggeration, but I can understand her frustration.

"I just gave Fuka the skewers."

"...But Fuka was giving off that vibe, right? She's cute and easy to protect."

Kattina added, "I'm a victim too..." in a small voice at the end.

She seems to be going through a lot.

"I feel like I'm being made fun of."

Fuka expressed her dissatisfaction with Kattina's words.

"If you feel that way, you need to be more responsible. ...So, Oren, how much were the skewers?"

"One large copper coin and five small copper coins."

When I told Kattina the amount, she handed me the money.

"Here you go. I'm sorry Fuka caused trouble. ...By the way, Fuka caught this thief, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's take him to the military. And the victim—"

"Actually, it's me..."

The victim had been there since Kattina appeared, but she missed the chance to speak up because of Kattina's complaints.

"Right. Is this your bag? Be more careful in the future."

"Yes, thank you."

"Excuse me, can I ask you a quick question?"

The victim took her bag and was about to leave, but I stopped her.

"What... what is it...?"

She avoided eye contact but seemed willing to listen.

"Nothing much, but are you from another country? Just a 'yes' or 'no' is fine."

"Yes, I am from another country. Is that okay?"

"Thank you. One more question, do you know the 'Flockhart Trading Company'?"

I didn't miss the woman's slight reaction to my question.

Hmm... So it wasn't a misunderstanding... What should I do...

"No, I don't know it. Is it a famous company?"

"That's fine. It's a company I'm familiar with, and I heard they are expanding their business to other countries, so I was just curious if people from other countries knew about it. Sorry for the strange question."

"Ah... Well, thank you. I'll be going now. Thank you very much."

The victim then left.

"Kattina, I'm sorry. I have something to do, so can you take this criminal to the military?"

"Sure, we'll take care of it."

With Kattina's agreement, I started moving. To the Flockhart Trading Company, where the kidnapper I had "Target Capture" on was.

Thank you for reading to the end.

I would be happy if you could read the next chapter as well.