I Secretly Healed the Illness of the Twin Princesses While Wearing a Mask, and Now the Entire Kingdom Is in an Uproar ~Please Stop Trying to Expose the Street Healer~ - Chapter 61

We arrived at the town of Zothous.

Being a port town, I could see several large sailing ships in the distance, and the slightly cold sea breeze felt nice.

It was actually the first time I’d seen the sea, even counting my past life.

It seemed like Zothous even had a beach, which made me a little excited. But with the plague going around, I probably wouldn’t have time to play in the sea… at least, that’s what I thought.

But something about the town fell off.

“Big sister, wasn’t Zothous supposed to have a plague?”

“That’s what they said, but everyone looks healthy.”

As soon as we entered the town, I had a question.

The people walking around looked well, and they were full of energy. It didn’t look like there was any plague at all.

Big sister called out to a young man passing by.

“Hey, you there. Lend me your face.”

“Eh, w-what!? I don’t have any money!”

“…I’m not mugging you.”

“Well, your eyes look scary, big sister. It’s no wonder people mistake you for a thug.”

“Asuku, did you just say something?”

“Calling my big sister a thug!? How dare you!! I’ll never forgive you!!”

“U-um, what are these people…”

Then big sister started examining the young man and checked him all over.

But he was perfectly healthy.

We checked others too, children and old people, but no one showed any signs of the plague.

What’s going on?

“We need to ask the mayor of Zothous for details. Their house… that big mansion over there, I guess.”

“Big sister, should we just charge in? Should we?”

“We will. Let’s go, Asuku. We’ll check the facts, and if the plague is fake, I’ll punch them myself.”

“Right.”

“W-wait, calm down, both of you!! If it’s just a misunderstanding about the plague, isn’t that fine!?”

Ridiel tried to stop us, but big sister stayed calm.

“That’s not good, Ridiel-san. Even if it’s a misunderstanding, false news about a plague could hurt the economy, and for a big empire, it could affect its relations with other kingdoms too.”

“T-that’s right, but…”

“And we also have to report properly to the Emperor and the King. We have to hear the story anyway.”

“T-then at least give them a warning before barging in—”

Ridiel still seemed to want to say more, but big sister and I ignored her. We left the carriage to Veltica and Ridiel and stormed the mayor’s house.

“My apologies. I only reported that a cold was spreading, but it seems it was taken too seriously.”

“…So the plague was just the mayor’s mistake?”

“Yes. The idea that a plague is spreading in Zothous is completely wrong.”

The mayor was a pale and bald man who seemed a little spacey.

Big sister listened carefully and then said.

“I see… that’s good news.”

“I’m very sorry for the trouble. As an apology, we’ll arrange a place for you to stay.”

“…Thank you. Let’s go, Asuku.”

“Eh, ah, yeah.”

I thought big sister would complain a little, but she just stared seriously at the bald mayor.

As we were about to leave, he spoke again.

“Oh, by the way. Since you came to Zothous, why not enjoy the beach and go swimming?”

“I’ll pass—”

“Eh, really? Yeah. Ah, but what should I do? Big sister, I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“You can buy swimsuits at the Zothous shopping street.”

Yes. I’ll go buy one later.

“…Hey, Asuku.”

“Eh, what?”

“Come here for a second.”

Big sister grabbed me by the chest and whispered in my ear.

Her breath tickled me.

“Forget about going to the sea.”

“Why? Do you hate the sea, big sister?”

“That’s not it. Look at the mayor’s staring eyes. He just wants to see me in a swimsuit.”

“Ehh, that’s just your—”

“Did you say something?”

“I guess it can’t be helped!! No man would want to see a super beautiful girl like you in a swimsuit!!”

Dangerous, dangerous.

Big sister’s deadly Iron Claw was about to strike.

“Also, that bald mayor. I can’t explain it well, but something feels off. We should leave town as soon as possible and tell the Emperor what’s going on.”

“Is it really not good?”

“Even if you look at me with those big puppy eyes, it’s still no.”

“…Yes.”

I really wanted to go to the sea.

“You don’t have to be so obviously sad.”

“I’m not sad.”

“…Haah. Such a hopeless child. We’ll leave Zothous tomorrow. Today, do whatever you like.”

“Eh, really?”

“We’ll leave tomorrow. It’s a promise with your big sister.”

No way.

I never thought big sister would change her mind after saying no.

“Big sister, I love you!!”

“Mmgh, y-yeah.. Haah, I wonder if there’s any way to cancel this child’s engagement to the princess…”

“Huh? Big sister, did you just say something?”

“Nothing at all.”

Excited for my first time at the sea, I left the mayor’s house with my big sister by my side.

◆　◇　◆

After Asuku and Franc left the mayor’s house.

Two girls in kimonos were watching them from the mansion’s window.

“Hmph. So that’s the boy Kokonoha-sama mentioned. He’s kind of cute, but he doesn’t look like much.”

“Don’t underestimate him, Mitsuha. If what Hitoha said is true, he has magic and speed that no normal human should have. We need to keep a careful watch.”

“Futaba, you’re way too serious. Just relax, like me.”

One of the girls, a fox-eared girl with droopy ears, pressed the bald mayor’s face with her single-tooth geta sandal.

“Come on, cry like you usually do, you Zako.”

“O-oiiee!!”

“Ahaha!! Pervert!! Creepy little maso!! Useless male!! Aren’t you sorry you were born?”

“I’m sorry I was born!!”

“Who said you could speak human words? Don’t you know you’re supposed to say it in pig language?”

“Oiiie!! Oii, oii!!”

The droopy fox-eared girl laughed as she stomped on the bald mayor over and over, as she was clearly enjoying herself.

Then she suddenly paused.

“Still, how did Kokonoha-sama know that boy would come here?”

“Kokonoha-sama has nine demon eyes. She might have used their power to influence things somehow.”

“Wow, demon eyes are so cool. I want some too.”

Even while they chatted casually, the two girls’ eyes never left the same direction.

For now, no one knew they were there.

◇　◇　◇

Afterword

One-Point Story

Author: “I really like the droopy fox-eared girl wearing single-tooth geta.”

Author: “I get it.”

If you thought, “Her way of messing with people is totally thug-like,” “The insults are just right,” “Don’t make more of them, author,” please leave your thoughts, bookmarks, ★ ratings, or reviews.