Chapter 146 – Glasses boy catches the baton
“Hey, Lisse. I prepared all this just for you, you know?
“It was all for your sake, to let you avenge your friends. I’ve put my life on the line to lure Zet just for you.
“You’re not gonna back out of this now, are you?” Beckenberg told her.
He was showing off the glasses on his hands while staring at Lisse with an intimidating glare.
I see… Those eyes are the problem, huh?
The reason why Agitator is visible, is because it is being used right now.
And well, the target is definitely…
“But Zet said he didn’t kill anyone…” Lisse muttered.
Lisse, who is quite troubled right now.
… Agitator is the power to move people’s hearts.
As in, it’s an information-related Gift.
It must function as something akin to brainwashing. It makes the target believe the information that is given to them, and then lets the user move other people according to their will.
And what’s more amazing about it, is that Lisse’s actions felt completely natural. She did not give off a feeling that she was being manipulated by someone.
Het attitude, gestures, tone… Everything was just like the Lisse I knew.
At first glance, it would be impossible to notice that she was being brainwashed by Beckenberg.
If this Gift allows him to brainwash a large number of people, then it’s certainly possible to use it and become the ruler of a city.
… Well, let’s keep my musings to that and focus on the matters at hand.
“It’s simple, isn’t it?
“I told you what you wanted to know, and let you meet Zet like you wished.
“Who are you going to believe? Your benefactor or that small annoying fly?
“The answer is simple. There is no need to hesitate.” Beckenberg told her.
I think his words must be feeling quite persuasive to Lisse.
But to me, both Beckenberg and Zet are shady, so neither is worth believing.
However, Zet is easier to understand than Beckenberg.
Someone who overpowers his enemies with force has no reason to tell petty and useless lies.
People like Beckenberg understand their powerlessness though. They use whatever they can to obtain what they want.
Lies, manipulation, tricks, it doesn’t matter. The approach does not need to be straightforward.
It’s the same for me. I’m also weak, so I’m more like Beckenberg than Zet, so I can understand Beckenberg’s thought process.
The methods do not matter. Everything is allowed. The important part is to win.
After all, if you lose, you die.
That’s why I use all means that I can think of.
In the hunting grounds, I often thought about how to deceive my prey. About how to make them fall into my trap.
… But well, that’s about it for our similarities.
Even if I can understand Beckenberg’s thoughts, I still wouldn’t be happy about being manipulated.
So… “Can you wait for a bit? It will be over soon.” I told Zet.
“Ooh?” Zet muttered.
He didn’t refuse, so I moved forward with my plan. I picked up a small bottle from a nearby table.
The contents… Yep, just what I needed.
“In the first place, Lisse, you already owe me. I provided you a place to live and some food, so-
“Hey, what are you doing?” Beckenberg suddenly looked in my direction, as I started walking towards him.
“Oh, please don’t worry about it. It’s nothing troublesome.” I replied as I stepped forward.
“What are you planning-!?
“It hurts! It huuurts!” Beckenberg shouted.
I threw some salt, from the bottle I was holding, onto Beckenberg’s eyes. The white grains covered a wide area and hit him directly.
“What are you doing, you crazy maid!? Aah! It’s painful!” Beckenberg yelled.
“I’m sorry, but mister Zet threatened me and forced me to do it. I had no choice.” I replied.
“I didn’t say anything, but I don’t mind it, as this is funny.” Zet commented.
“Yep. He threatened me. I had no choice.” I told Beckenberg.
“Shut up, you bastard!” Beckenberg exclaimed.
“Hey, old man, don’t show so much of yourself to us. You’re way too ugly.” Zet commented.
“Shut up, you damned fly!
“Damn it, damn it! I can’t open my eyes!” Beckenberg shouted.
I picked up the glasses, that Beckenberg dropped while being in agony from the pain in his eyes, then handed them over to Lisse, who was standing still.
“Are your comrades the kind of people who would die so easily?” I asked her.
She stayed silent.
“I recommend you to look for them yourself. It’s better to check important things with your own eyes instead of asking somebody else about it.” I told her.
Lisse took the glasses that I offered her, then looked at me intently.
“… Eil?” She muttered.
Seems like she finally noticed it.
“Huh? Who? I don’t know this person.” I replied.
Well, I needed to deceive her a bit here.
After all, it would be troublesome if she found out.
******
Now, with Beckenberg out of the way, and with Lisse questioning his information, things should be fine on this end.
“So, Mr. Zet, if you would?” I told him.
“Huh?” He tilted his head.
“From here onwards…” I lifted my fork, “I’ll be your opponent. That’s not a problem, right?”
The distance between me and Zet isn’t big. It’s right in the border between a medium and a short distance.
As in, enough to get into attack range after a small leap forward.
It’s way too close for an archer.
“Oh, really? Seeing the pig cry put a damper on my good mood, you know?” Zet replied.
Oh, is that so? That is nice to hear.
“Well, I’m lady Adyll’s bodyguard. Differently from that girl, I still have a reason to fight.
“So, if you don’t go home quietly, I’ll have no choice but to take care of you.” I told him.
“Oh? With a fork?” Zet grinned.
Ah… Seems like he got in a good mood again…
I wouldn’t mind it if he just went home though.
… Or rather, I want him to go home.
“You really think you can beat me with that?” Zet asked.
“I can try?” I replied.
“Alright. You made me laugh, so let’s play a little bit.” He grinned harder.
The moment we reached an agreement, I threw my hidden knife towards him, using my free hand.
Then, I immediately started running after the knife.
“Too slow.” Zet stated.
Zet is way too fast.
Even though we were this close, he still grabbed by knife and threw it back towards me with ease.
I hoped he would avoid it, but I did expect him to be able to grab it. He is really fast, after all.
But throwing it back at me? That was outside of my expectations.
Moreover, as if mimicking my actions, Zet started running after the knife that he threw.
… I cannot avoid it.
If I dodge it, Zet will definitely attack me in the direction that I go to.
Just like what I was trying to do.
Then, I will not avoid it. Keep going!
A clang echoed inside the restaurant.
“Ooh?” Zet seemed to be surprised by it.
Because I flicked the flying knife away with the glasses that I was wearing.
It was quite scary to let the knife hit the glasses’ lenses, but I had no choice there.
And at the same time, I was preparing an attack with the fork.
… But Zet overcame my predictions once again.
He laughed. He laughed as he avoided it.
Moreover, he punched me in the face, at around the temple area.
I barely managed to avoid a direct hit, but it still hurt me a lot.
… Well, this does make something clear though.
I cannot match Zet’s speed.
Even if I do something unexpected and surprise him, I still can’t match him.
He can even avoid my surprise attacks…
And if I don’t rely on some tricks, then the fight will be completely one-sided. Fighting him head-to-head is out of question. It wouldn’t even be a match.
… Coming to think of it, Lisse’s attacks may have been much more carefully calculated than I thought.
Most likely, she was trying to fight in a way that made it hard to let Zet get a counterattack going.
… I suppose I’m no good as is.
Without the power of Glasses, I can’t stand a chance against him.
Chapter 146 – Glasses boy catches the baton
“Hey, Lisse. I prepared all this just for you, you know?
“It was all for your sake, to let you avenge your friends. I’ve put my life on the line to lure Zet just for you.
“You’re not gonna back out of this now, are you?” Beckenberg told her.
He was showing off the glasses on his hands while staring at Lisse with an intimidating glare.
I see… Those eyes are the problem, huh?
The reason why Agitator is visible, is because it is being used right now.
And well, the target is definitely…
“But Zet said he didn’t kill anyone…” Lisse muttered.
Lisse, who is quite troubled right now.
… Agitator is the power to move people’s hearts.
As in, it’s an information-related Gift.
It must function as something akin to brainwashing. It makes the target believe the information that is given to them, and then lets the user move other people according to their will.
And what’s more amazing about it, is that Lisse’s actions felt completely natural. She did not give off a feeling that she was being manipulated by someone.
Het attitude, gestures, tone… Everything was just like the Lisse I knew.
At first glance, it would be impossible to notice that she was being brainwashed by Beckenberg.
If this Gift allows him to brainwash a large number of people, then it’s certainly possible to use it and become the ruler of a city.
… Well, let’s keep my musings to that and focus on the matters at hand.
“It’s simple, isn’t it?
“I told you what you wanted to know, and let you meet Zet like you wished.
“Who are you going to believe? Your benefactor or that small annoying fly?
“The answer is simple. There is no need to hesitate.” Beckenberg told her.
I think his words must be feeling quite persuasive to Lisse.
But to me, both Beckenberg and Zet are shady, so neither is worth believing.
However, Zet is easier to understand than Beckenberg.
Someone who overpowers his enemies with force has no reason to tell petty and useless lies.
People like Beckenberg understand their powerlessness though. They use whatever they can to obtain what they want.
Lies, manipulation, tricks, it doesn’t matter. The approach does not need to be straightforward.
It’s the same for me. I’m also weak, so I’m more like Beckenberg than Zet, so I can understand Beckenberg’s thought process.
The methods do not matter. Everything is allowed. The important part is to win.
After all, if you lose, you die.
That’s why I use all means that I can think of.
In the hunting grounds, I often thought about how to deceive my prey. About how to make them fall into my trap.
… But well, that’s about it for our similarities.
Even if I can understand Beckenberg’s thoughts, I still wouldn’t be happy about being manipulated.
So… “Can you wait for a bit? It will be over soon.” I told Zet.
“Ooh?” Zet muttered.
He didn’t refuse, so I moved forward with my plan. I picked up a small bottle from a nearby table.
The contents… Yep, just what I needed.
“In the first place, Lisse, you already owe me. I provided you a place to live and some food, so-
“Hey, what are you doing?” Beckenberg suddenly looked in my direction, as I started walking towards him.
“Oh, please don’t worry about it. It’s nothing troublesome.” I replied as I stepped forward.
“What are you planning-!?
“It hurts! It huuurts!” Beckenberg shouted.
I threw some salt, from the bottle I was holding, onto Beckenberg’s eyes. The white grains covered a wide area and hit him directly.
“What are you doing, you crazy maid!? Aah! It’s painful!” Beckenberg yelled.
“I’m sorry, but mister Zet threatened me and forced me to do it. I had no choice.” I replied.
“I didn’t say anything, but I don’t mind it, as this is funny.” Zet commented.
“Yep. He threatened me. I had no choice.” I told Beckenberg.
“Shut up, you bastard!” Beckenberg exclaimed.
“Hey, old man, don’t show so much of yourself to us. You’re way too ugly.” Zet commented.
“Shut up, you damned fly!
“Damn it, damn it! I can’t open my eyes!” Beckenberg shouted.
I picked up the glasses, that Beckenberg dropped while being in agony from the pain in his eyes, then handed them over to Lisse, who was standing still.
“Are your comrades the kind of people who would die so easily?” I asked her.
She stayed silent.
“I recommend you to look for them yourself. It’s better to check important things with your own eyes instead of asking somebody else about it.” I told her.
Lisse took the glasses that I offered her, then looked at me intently.
“… Eil?” She muttered.
Seems like she finally noticed it.
“Huh? Who? I don’t know this person.” I replied.
Well, I needed to deceive her a bit here.
After all, it would be troublesome if she found out.
******
Now, with Beckenberg out of the way, and with Lisse questioning his information, things should be fine on this end.
“So, Mr. Zet, if you would?” I told him.
“Huh?” He tilted his head.
“From here onwards…” I lifted my fork, “I’ll be your opponent. That’s not a problem, right?”
The distance between me and Zet isn’t big. It’s right in the border between a medium and a short distance.
As in, enough to get into attack range after a small leap forward.
It’s way too close for an archer.
“Oh, really? Seeing the pig cry put a damper on my good mood, you know?” Zet replied.
Oh, is that so? That is nice to hear.
“Well, I’m lady Adyll’s bodyguard. Differently from that girl, I still have a reason to fight.
“So, if you don’t go home quietly, I’ll have no choice but to take care of you.” I told him.
“Oh? With a fork?” Zet grinned.
Ah… Seems like he got in a good mood again…
I wouldn’t mind it if he just went home though.
… Or rather, I want him to go home.
“You really think you can beat me with that?” Zet asked.
“I can try?” I replied.
“Alright. You made me laugh, so let’s play a little bit.” He grinned harder.
The moment we reached an agreement, I threw my hidden knife towards him, using my free hand.
Then, I immediately started running after the knife.
“Too slow.” Zet stated.
Zet is way too fast.
Even though we were this close, he still grabbed by knife and threw it back towards me with ease.
I hoped he would avoid it, but I did expect him to be able to grab it. He is really fast, after all.
But throwing it back at me? That was outside of my expectations.
Moreover, as if mimicking my actions, Zet started running after the knife that he threw.
… I cannot avoid it.
If I dodge it, Zet will definitely attack me in the direction that I go to.
Just like what I was trying to do.
Then, I will not avoid it. Keep going!
A clang echoed inside the restaurant.
“Ooh?” Zet seemed to be surprised by it.
Because I flicked the flying knife away with the glasses that I was wearing.
It was quite scary to let the knife hit the glasses’ lenses, but I had no choice there.
And at the same time, I was preparing an attack with the fork.
… But Zet overcame my predictions once again.
He laughed. He laughed as he avoided it.
Moreover, he punched me in the face, at around the temple area.
I barely managed to avoid a direct hit, but it still hurt me a lot.
… Well, this does make something clear though.
I cannot match Zet’s speed.
Even if I do something unexpected and surprise him, I still can’t match him.
He can even avoid my surprise attacks…
And if I don’t rely on some tricks, then the fight will be completely one-sided. Fighting him head-to-head is out of question. It wouldn’t even be a match.
… Coming to think of it, Lisse’s attacks may have been much more carefully calculated than I thought.
Most likely, she was trying to fight in a way that made it hard to let Zet get a counterattack going.
… I suppose I’m no good as is.
Without the power of Glasses, I can’t stand a chance against him.
