Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet · Chapter 8
Not the Popular Type
Bell
*...Sigh*
It's been so long since I've had such a quiet rest...
Is it because we're so deep underground?
The humidity in the air is high... and I can even smell the rich scent of soil.
Just being deep beneath the ground feels this calming...
Hmm, they're even using high quality tea leaves?
This is on a completely different level from the cheap bulk tea Candle Square buys to cut costs.
Ahh...
Surely they won't come try to rescue me already, will they?
Yeah, yeah, that must be it. Candle Square is surprisingly slow moving.
Just a little more time to relax...
Eek?!
Claire
Ms. Bell!
Scarlet
Gravedigger!
Bell
Wh-what?!
The room we entered was an elegant and cozy lounge.
And there was Bell, reclining as if buried into a long, luxurious sofa.
Bell
Wh-what? How'd you even get in here?
Claire
What do you mean?! You even sent Code 35!
Bell
W-well, yes, but...
Still, I didn't expect you to come this quickly.
Claire
*Sigh...* This is disappointing.
You weren't mistreated by Hubble... were you?
Bell
...N-no.
Scarlet
She really does look like she's been doing just fine.
Claire
Why were you brought to a place like this?
Hubble said it was just a proposal for a mutually beneficial deal.
Bell
Ah, that! Yeah, that's right.
It was a simple deal.
I was told to relax here and decide whether to accept it or not.
Nothing else really happened. They treated me very well.
Claire
...That's a relief. We were worried.
Hubble said you're free to leave.
Come, let us go now.
Bell
...Ah, already?
Scarlet
Did you just say "ah, already"?
Bell
No, I mean... look. This lounge is pretty nice.
Why not rest a bit longer before heading back?
The tea they serve here is quite good too.
Scarlet
Gravedigger!
You really have no idea what we went through to get here...
Bell
Come to think of it...
Pfft!
What is with you two?
Those ridiculous outfits!
Claire
...
Scarlet
...
Of all times...
You really have a talent for picking the worst possible line at the worst possible moment.
Bell
...Ah.
I feel like I just made a mistake...
W-wait! Put that down! We're comrades...!
I-I misspoke! They're very pretty, very elegant outfits!
B-both of you are beautiful and cute!
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Wait! Whoa...! Whoaaah!!!
...Actually, I received a letter from Hubble that morning.
They said they had information to exchange.
If I was interested, I should come to the appointed place.
I thought about it all day and went to the meeting spot...
Then some guy, probably the head of security, told me to come into the club first and decide there.
It was obvious that once I went in, I would not be able to leave easily.
That was when a courier happened to pass by, so I quickly handed them a note.
Claire
...I see.
Bell
Then... can I lower my arms now?
My shoulders hurt...
Claire
Keep them up!
Scarlet
Keep them uuup!
Bell
...Yes.
Scarlet
So what kind of information were you planning to exchange?
Anything you could provide would just be trivial things like differences in grave soil or what kind of marble is best for tombstones.
Bell
Take that back, lizard! The type of soil for graves is important!
Claire
Arms coming down.
Bell
S-sorry.
Anyway... it was nothing important.
Bell averted her gaze and spoke vaguely.
She seemed to be watching my reaction.
Bell
Th-they just seemed curious about Candle Square.
They asked various things about it...
Scarlet
What!
You didn't give away anything important like me being from the great Bellarmini lineage...
Or that I like pancakes, right?!
Bell
That's not important at all!
If they're the owner of [Deep Field], they probably already know everything about us.
Claire
Hmm...
Bell
I-it was really nothing important!
That's why I let my guard down.
Bell's vague attitude was not entirely convincing...
...but I'm just glad she's safe.
Let's head back for now.
Claire
Yes, we can discuss the rest after we return.
Bell
...Can I put my arms down now?
Claire
You said you wanted to stay in this lounge a bit longer, correct?
We will leave after ten more minutes.
Bell
She's the devil...
As we were leaving the club, I noticed Bell and Claire lagging behind us.
Those two are a bit slow.
Scarlet
Hey, you two! Hurry up! You're so slow!
Bell
O-okay! Coming!
...Claire.
Claire
Yes?
Bell
The deal Hubble proposed...
They said they had information on [Carnelia Rhys]'s recent activities.
In exchange, they wanted to know about her childhood.
Claire
...!
I... see...
That is certainly information only Bell could provide.
Let's head back first... and talk about it later.
Bell
...All right.
Scarlet
How many times do I have to say it?! Hurry up!
Bell
I said I'm coming!
Scarlet
Hurry, hurry...
What?
A hulking figure was blocking the exit.
Scarlet
Who are you? Move aside!
Guard Captain
...
...Didn't you say we'd be let go?
Guard Captain
Of course. Hubble gave the order.
But there was no mention of sending you back in one piece.
I thought they said we'd be sent back safely.
Guard Captain
Heh... is that so? So what?
If I leave you unable to move, you won't be complaining.
Because you intruded into Deep Field without permission...
I've lost Hubble's trust...
I cannot be the only one to suffer this pain.
Don't worry. I won't kill you...
But from now on, you'll be living like a corpse.
Guard Captain
Guh...! Urgh...!!
Claire
Phew... honestly.
It seems Candle Square has been underestimated quite a bit.
For a mere Guard Captain of a club, you're not bad...
But to face a Senior Maid of Candle Square, you fall well short.
To become a Senior Maid, one must undergo years of Savior activity and pass rigorous examinations...
Bell
Claire, he's unconscious.
Claire
...Lacking in skill and lacking in spirit.
Scarlet
A foolish human. He should have listened to his master.
Claire
Let's leave the cleanup to Hubble.
Shall we head back?
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