Discordant Duet on the Black Snowfield · Chapter 3
Kalaid Today
Emily
So this is... downtown Kalaid.
Trish
Doesn't look like it snowed that much here.
Passerby A
What? You think it didn't snow much?
What kind of nonsense is that?
We got absolutely buried in snow the day before yesterday. Nearly broke my back clearing it all.
Tch. Talking like you know anything.
Trish
What's his problem? So I was wrong. Big deal.
You said we're heading to Candle Square, right?
I could've sworn it was this way the last time I came...
Excuse me, sir.
Passerby B
Huh? What do you want, stopping someone out of nowhere?
Trish
Um... is this the right way to Candle Square?
Passerby B
You stopped a busy man just to ask that?
There's a sign right there. You'd see it if you bothered to open your eyes. Are you kidding me?
Tch!
Hey, watch where you're going!
Irritable Savior
What? I only bumped into you because you were blocking the way.
Passerby B
What'd you say? You got a problem?
Trish
...They're fighting over something this trivial?
Emily
...The Town Guard is coming. They'll sort it out soon enough.
Town Guard
That's enough! Break it up!
Irritable Savior
And who are you supposed to be?
Town Guard
You dare defy the authorities?
Hey! Arrest them all!
Trish
W-what...?
Emily
...Everyone here is extremely aggressive.
...I'd heard people in Kalaid were rougher than in other regions, but were they always this bad?
Trish
Hmm. I don't remember it feeling like this the last time I was here.
Let's head to Candle Square for now.
Emily
You're coming too, Trish?
Trish
Ahaha! Don't worry. I'm not trying to interfere with your secret mission.
I need to gather information on the Wendigo anyway, so I thought I'd stop by while I'm here.
There are plenty of Saviors at Candle Square. Someone's bound to know something, right?
Trish
Phew!
We got a little lost... but we made it somehow.
Still... isn't it unusually quiet for Candle Square?
Emily
...It certainly is.
Something must have happened.
Maid with a Broom
...
Emily
Let's ask that maid for directions first.
Excuse me. I'm Emily, a senior maid from NOA headquarters.
I'd like to speak with the senior maid of the Kalaid branch. Could you please direct me to her?
Maid with a Broom
...
Emily
Um... Can you hear me?
Maid with a Broom
...Over there.
Busy. Don't bother me.
Emily
...?
Trish
What's with that maid...?
Emily
It appears the Kalaid branch needs to step up its maid training.
Let's go inside.
Senior Maid
Oh dear. We didn't mean to worry you.
But we haven't run into anything we can't handle ourselves.
The snow was simply... a little heavier than expected, so our report was delayed.
As you can see, the area around Candle Square has been completely buried in snow.
That left us with quite a bit of cleanup to deal with.
That maid probably wasn't being deliberately rude either. She's simply exhausted.
Emily
...Understood.
Senior Maid
Blizzards are nothing unusual around this time of year...
But this one has been particularly severe.
Emily
I'm glad to hear there were no casualties.
But... what are those black stones?
Senior Maid
Ah, those are materials for the restoration work.
All the accumulated snow damaged a number of areas that need repairing.
Emily
Hmm...? I thought I heard something strange over there just now...
Senior Maid
It's probably coming from the annex. The roof collapsed, so they're repairing it.
Emily
Hmm... I see.
...One moment.
Senior Maid
...What is it?
Emily
Take a look at this gap in the window.
There's dust piled up all along it.
We can't call the mission complete while these enemies are still standing.
No matter how busy you are, maintaining cleanliness is a maid's duty. It must not be neglected.
Senior Maid
...
Emily
Hm?! Impossible!
Hey! Halt right there...!
Chubby Maid
...Munch, munch.
...?
Emily
Food belongs in the dining hall!
If you walk around eating like that, you'll drop crumbs all over the carpet!
This won't do.
I'll have to remain at the Kalaid branch for a while and conduct special combat cleaning training—
Senior Maid
Hahaha, I understand your enthusiasm, Emily.
However, training the maids of the Kalaid branch falls under my jurisdiction.
Once we've taken care of the urgent matters, I'll see to their training myself.
If you believe there is a problem with our work...
Then please return with formal inspection authority from NOA headquarters.
Emily
...If you insist, I'll let it go for now.
Trish
Emily. Why are you picking at every little thing?
Emily
It's because... something feels off.
Trish
Off? Is something really that strange?
It just looks a little messy to me...
What exactly seems wrong?
Emily
...It's difficult to pinpoint. It's just...
Call it a Candle Square maid's intuition.
Trish
Hmm... Really? What if that senior maid is actually someone else?
Emily
What...?
Trish
You know, it happens sometimes! A wanted criminal disguises themselves as someone else and hides out!
Emily
Hmm...!
Trish
Wait, seriously? That's bad!
Emily
...I'm certain I read the documents on the Kalaid branch before leaving.
Trish
And?
Emily
...I forgot what they said on the way here.
Trish
...?!?!
Emily
It's embarrassing to admit...
But my forgetfulness has gotten a little worse lately.
It's like my memories get jumbled up without me even realizing it...
Trish
A-are you sure you're okay...?
Emily
It causes trouble from time to time... but I'm fine.
Hmm... It doesn't seem like she's been replaced by someone else, like you were worried about.
Her face does seem familiar, at least.
Trish
What... Talk about a letdown...!
Senior Maid
Emily.
Emily
Ah, yes?
Senior Maid
Then, does that clear up your concerns about the regular report?
Once the railway is cleared, the regular report will be delivered to headquarters as usual.
If you wish, I can hand you a copy directly.
Emily
...No. I don't think that will be necessary.
Senior Maid
Haha, then I'll assume that settles everything. And...
You said your name was... Trish?
Trish
Hmm? Me?
Senior Maid
You said you were looking for information on the Wendigo, correct?
It slipped my mind earlier in all the confusion...
But around last week, a Savior left us some information about a huge furry beast.
Trish
Oh...! Really?
Senior Maid
Yes. I've copied the note we had here. I hope it helps.
Trish
Let's see... Huge horns, glowing eyes... a roar echoing across the snowfields...
These... match the characteristics of a Wendigo!
Whoa! It even lists the exact sighting location, time, and route it took!
Ahaha! With information this detailed, catching the Wendigo is only a matter of time!
Thanks! I need to go prepare for the hunt right away!
Senior Maid
Haha. I'm glad it was the information you were looking for.
Trish
Emily. I owe you one. I got some great information thanks to you.
Hope our paths cross again!
Toodles!
Emily
...Good luck.
Senior Maid
Do you... have any other plans, Emily?
Emily
No. I intend to return to NOA once train service resumes.
Senior Maid
I see. In that case...
I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Kalaid.
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