Mystery Guest
My mansion was surrounded by a strong lattice of iron bars.
It was at least twice the height of an adult human.
Milka was talking to a man from the other side.
“Like I said, Mister Locke is not home now.”
“Then when will he be back?”
“I don’t know… Some time or another.”
“But couldn’t you let us wait inside?”
“I can’t do that. Very sorry.”
I might have to teach her the proper way to treat guests later on.
You were expected to be a little more polite to outsiders.
That being said, she was right to not open the gate.
The entire mansion was protected with magic, and there were also magic locks.
You could not penetrate the place unless someone opened the gates from the inside.
The second person, who was standing next to the man, began to speak.
“I have important business with Locke.”
“I can’t help you with that.”
“Hmph. I can sense Locke right now. He must be inside?”
“No, I told you. He isn’t home.”
“Do not hide him from me. It really is rather important!”
“Like I said–”
It was a girl who began to press Milka. She had a cute voice and was wearing a hooded robe.
The hood was pulled over her face, so I couldn’t tell what she looked like, but she was quite short.
“We are getting nowhere!”
So saying, the hooded girl grabbed the gate.
“MMGGGGERRR!!”
She tried to open it by force.
“That’s no use.”
“Shut up.”
Just as she shouted this,
–Bang!
There was a loud spark as the girl went flying into the air.
“GAAAA!”
She had tried to open the magic lock by force, and so the security measure had activated.
“I told you…”
Milka said with an exasperated look.
I approached the girl from behind.
“And what is your business with me?”
“Ah, Mister Locke. This annoying person was trying to force her way into the mansion.”
“Milka, sorry about all the trouble. You can leave the rest to me.”
“Okay. I have to prepare for dinner!”
So saying, Milka returned to the mansion.
The man who was with the girl looked very troubled.
“I am terribly sorry about this. We’ve caused quite a scene.”
“What do you want?”
“Yes, she…”
He said as he pointed at the girl who was still lying on the ground.
“She came to my restaurant and ate and drank without paying…”
He was a restaurant owner.
He said that the girl had eaten an incredible amount of food before claiming that she had no money.
“I was thinking about throwing her to the city guards, but she said that she would borrow money from an acquaintance…”
“And I am that acquaintance?”
“Yes. She said she knew a rich man by the name of Locke.”
“Hmm.”
He said hesitantly.
“You are Mister Locke, are you not?”
“I am.”
“Do you know her?”
He said. Then he pulled back the hood of the unconscious girl.
She had large horns.
But I had no idea who she was.
“…I don’t know her.”
“I see…”
His shoulders slumped with disappointment.
“I am terribly sorry to have disturbed you.”
He said as he forced the girl to her feet.
“Mmm..rmrmmmm…”
Her mind was still hazy it seemed.
She would probably be sent to the authorities now.
“Well, wait a minute.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“How much was it?”
“30,000 rucks.”
“30,000?”
“Yes. She ate a great deal.”
That was an understatement.
“Alright. I shall pay.”
“What? Do you mean it?”
“She did come all this way here. And even if I don’t know her, it’s possible that we are connected somehow.”
“Thank you very much. That makes things much easier.”
I paid him the 30,000 rucks and he bowed repeatedly before going on his way.
I picked the girl up.
“Ggg…”
She was still not fully conscious.
“Was the defense magic too strong?”
“But it won’t have much meaning if it’s any weaker, will it?”
Philly said. She was right.
“She has horns on her head. Perhaps she is a demon like me?”
“You might be right.”
Just as I said this, I felt something move near her bottom.
There was a very large tail.
It was thicker and longer than Shia and Nia’s tails. If anything, it was larger than her legs.
“Th-that is a great tail.”
“Do people of your tribe ever have tails…?”
“I don’t think so.”
Luchila shook his head.
Grulf sniffed at her and then whimpered.
“Grulf? What is it?”
“Grrr…”
Apparently, Grulf had an idea. Or so it seemed.
Nia saw this and began to sniff at the girl as well.
“This smell…”
Just as Nia was about to say something, the girl opened her eyes.
“Ah!”
She jumped up.
“Locke! It is you, Locke! So you are the owner of this house after all?”
“I am.”
“I followed your scent, presence and traces of magical energy. What a relief that I found you.”
“I see. Well, enough of that. Who are you?”
“What? Have you forgotten me already?”
This appeared to cause a great shock to the girl.
“Uh, no. I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“But we only just met during the day! It is I! Kathe!”
“Huh? You’re Kathe?”
“Indeed!”
“She does have Kathe’s odor.”
Nia said.
Well, odors didn’t lie.
“I see. You’re Kathe.”
“Gahahahaha! You finally understand.”
Kathe said with a smug, very pleased face.
