The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 83

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Saint Is Such a Good Liar! Episode 083
After walking for some time, people finally began to appear in small numbers.
We passed through the bustling marketplace alleys crowded with vendors selling their wares from early morning and shoppers hunting for bargains, making our way toward a shop that specialized in short swords.
“Welcome in—!”
The Shop Owner opened his mouth with enthusiasm, but his expression fell the moment he saw who we were.
“Ugh, of all the luck—my first customers of the day have to be you lot.”
“Really?”
I dangled the gold coin adorning my finger, and the Shop Owner froze. I turned away with an expression of genuine disappointment.
“Looks like we’ll have to try another shop.”
“Oh, w-wait, please!”
The Shop Owner scrambled to gather something and blocked our path.
He held pastries in his left hand and juice in his right, his face breaking into a broad smile as he bent down to meet our eyes.
“Now then, my young customers. What brings you here today?”
“Well, this knight here needs something.”
“A knight?”
The Shop Owner looked momentarily confused before quickly playing along.
“Ah yes, a short sword for our young knight—though I must say, it’s rather dangerous for children. I’m not sure I should be selling…”
“If you won’t sell, we’ll go elsewhere.”
“My, what an impatient temperament! Here, have some pastries while you wait a moment.”
Shortly after, the Shop Owner returned with a large velvet box and opened it before us. The short swords inside were arranged in neat rows, and at first glance, they looked quite valuable.
“Perhaps something with a duller blade would be safer for our young master…”
“Wait.”
Cassandro picked up the short sword in the very center and asked the bewildered owner.
“May I examine it on my own?”
“Eh? Oh, of course, certainly.”
The owner set down the blade he’d been recommending. Meanwhile, I wandered around the shop looking for something suitable for myself.
But being unfamiliar with such matters, I couldn’t discern any real differences. I picked up a pocket knife that seemed decent enough, and Cassandro stared at it before asking.
“Do you like that one?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
I was momentarily startled by his casual tone, but Cassandro extended his hand toward me.
“Let me see it.”
Cassandro took the knife and folded and unfolded it several times. Then he shook his head and asked the owner.
“I’d prefer if the mechanism were easier to operate. A structure where the blade extends immediately upon pressing seems more suitable.”
“Yes? Ah, yes. I understand.”
The owner hastily rose from his seat, and I moved to sit beside him before asking.
“Did you find something you like?”
“Yeah.”
…Why does his casual speech feel so natural?
The awkwardness from before had vanished without a trace. I found myself wondering if perhaps he’d been speaking casually in his mind all along.
“I’ll go with this one.”
It was a blade with an exceptionally sharp and keen edge. I furrowed my brow.
“It looks far too dangerous.”
“That’s precisely why I’m buying it.”
“Listen, you’re still just a child.”
I spoke to him with utmost seriousness.
“You have no muscle, you’re small in stature, and your body is soft—a young child. Do you understand?”
“…Yes, I understand. Why are you saying it like that?”
“I’m telling you to be careful. Your physical condition has changed, so your skill won’t perform exactly as it did before.”
Cassandro’s expression became peculiar at those words.
“That doesn’t mean I can’t protect you.”
“Really…?”
“You don’t trust me?”
Cassandro’s gaze was so resolute that I found myself shaking my head without thinking. Only then did the corners of Cassandro’s mouth lift into a smile.
“Well then, young master. How about this one?”
In the meantime, the Shop Owner had returned, and Cassandro manipulated the pocket knife the owner had brought a few times before nodding in approval.
“I’ll take these two.”
“An excellent choice, sir. That will be 400 gold coins.”
Good heavens, 400 gold coins for two short blades? This is outright robbery!
For a moment, I was about to protest in disbelief when I saw a small hand extending a gold coin.
“Thank you.”
“Oh my, the pleasure is mine. Use them well, little customer.”
“No, I…”
I followed Cassandro out of the shop in a daze.
“You had gold coins on you?”
“I always carry emergency funds.”
“No, but that’s too expensive. I think that man overcharged us.”
“The quality is good, so it’s fine.”
Cassandro replied matter-of-factly.
“This isn’t the time to pinch pennies.”
“Good heavens, you really are a young master. You speak so casually to me too.”
Cassandro, quite flustered by my remark, stammered in defense.
“That’s because you… you…!”
“Never mind. More importantly, how do you use this thing?”
“Well, it’s not difficult. You just need to press here.”
Cassandro demonstrated it himself, and I took the blade from him and tried to replicate his movements. Just as he said, the operation was remarkably simple.
“And about that problem of not being able to sense your condition—I’ve given it some thought.”
Ah, yes, I had asked him to think of a way we wouldn’t be separated.
Honestly, I had thrown out that comment just to appease Cassandro, so I hadn’t expected him to continue worrying about it.
“I found the simplest solution. We should travel with our hands bound together.”
“You mean shackled? Then we’d never be separated.”
“Yes, handcuffs.”
The problem was… handcuffs weren’t typically used for ordinary purposes.
Moreover, if a child went around searching for them, it would look genuinely suspicious.
“…Is there another tool we could use?”
When I asked cautiously, Cassandro nodded quickly as if he’d been thinking the same thing.
“Rope should be enough.”
We purchased several items besides rope that might prove useful if I were to be kidnapped.
‘Good, I’m fully prepared to be kidnapped.’
All that remained was to wander through the City District and catch the Criminal’s attention.
“Let’s eat something first. I’m starving.”
I’d been moving around without breakfast, and my hunger was becoming unbearable.
Cassandro nodded and led me to a food vendor.
Savory and sweet aromas permeated the air in all directions. I swallowed hard and asked.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Everything looks delicious.”
In the end, I started with whatever was closest—roasted meat bread, grilled salmon, chicken skewers, pasta laden with cheese.
“Why are your hands like that?”
“It’s a lost child prevention bracelet.”
“I see.”
Fortunately, everyone seemed to accept this explanation without suspicion.
“Can’t you eat much?”
Cassandro took one bite and seemed to have no appetite for more.
It appeared that street food didn’t suit his palate, likely from his life at the Grand Cathedral.
“It’s fine.”
“Let me find something more to your taste. Oh, there’s a cotton candy vendor over there? Would something sweet be acceptable?”
“…What else are you planning to eat?”
Ignoring Cassandro’s bewildered voice, I purchased a large pink cotton candy. Cassandro asked with confusion.
“Why did you only buy one?”
“One is enough. Too much sweetness becomes cloying.”
I began tearing into the cotton candy from the edges. Cassandro simply stood still, watching me intently.
“Why aren’t you eating? Should I feed you?”
Cassandro hastily shook his head and tore off a piece of cotton candy. After a while of silent focus on eating, the confection was quickly gone.
‘What should I have for the second dessert?’
While I was pondering, I felt a gaze from beside me. Cassandro was staring intently at my face. I tilted my head and asked.
“What is it?”
“You have sugar on the corner of your mouth.”
I casually wiped my lips with the back of my hand. But Cassandro’s expression remained unsatisfied.
“Not there, here. Above the corner of your mouth.”
“Above the corner? Is it this side?”
“No, not that….”
Cassandro exhaled with exasperation, then produced a handkerchief from his pocket.
He stepped closer and carefully wiped the right corner of my mouth.
Perhaps because his fingers were so small, it felt oddly more ticklish than it should have.
“There.”
Our eyes met in that moment. His gaze wavered slightly before he pulled away. The sudden emptiness made me clear my throat awkwardly.
“…Do you really carry a handkerchief around even when you’re a child?”
“Is there something wrong with a child carrying a handkerchief?”
“Not exactly….”
A familiar face passed by in that instant.
“Luca?”
It was a child from the Orphanage where I’d done volunteer work just days ago. Now that I thought about it, the Orphanage was technically located in the Fiore District as well.
“I told him not to wander around alone….”
“Do you know him?”
“He looks like a child from the Orphanage where I volunteer. I should follow him.”
Cassandro nodded in agreement. We quickened our pace, following Luca.
“Luca, Luca!”
I called out his name loudly as I ran, but Cassandro suddenly stopped.
I nearly stumbled from the momentum, but he caught me firmly.
“You startled me! Why did you stop so suddenly? We need to catch up with him.”
“Titi.”
Instead of answering, Cassandro called me quietly by my name and tightened his grip on my hand.
“There are too few people here.”
The moment those words filled me with unease, a hand shot out from behind, clamping firmly over my nose and mouth.
‘Damn it. So that’s why Cassandro stopped.’
My vision blurred rapidly, and strength drained from my body.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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