Unexpected Acquaintances, Selling Stones

Before the bar that was right in front of me, I could still hear wave after wave of rapturous shouts behind that tightly shut heavy doors. Either the sounds were too loud that these miserable doors couldn't withstand it or they made the doors with poor, cheap materials. We approached the bar and saw the brawny man guarding its door outside. That man glanced at us briefly. I could see his eyes paused upon seeing butler Hans for a short moment longer than me. That was enough for me to see a surprising detail I didn't know before. I turned to butler Hans and whispered.

"Mr. Hans, you've been here before"

It's not a question, but an affirmation.

'Oh, then this is going to be easier than I thought.'

I hummed in a good mood.

"It was great to have such a capable butler, don't you think Mr. Hans?"

I swore to whichever god Megose used to believe in, I wasn't threatening the dear butler just now but why did it sound like it is?

I had a gist that my butler Hans is a beyonder and that possibility wasn't low either. I've noticed while cleaning up my messy room that only Hans acted different from others and my gut feeling also echoed my guess too. What was the reason for me to hold on to this firmly? I actually don't know why, but since I'm a lady, I guess you could say it's a woman's instinct.

'Did I use the term right..?'

Mr. Hans replied back to me with a slightly off-putting smile, pretty unsightly.

"Yes, my lady. My old profession required me to come here most of the time."

"That's great, Mr. Hans. Would you be so kind as to lead me the way there?"

I tried to smile as much as my facial muscle allowed to.

"Of course, if you don't mind."

I know you know what I wanted to let you know, even though I don't know myself what I wanted to let you know. Huh, I hope Mr. Hans could be as considerate as Alger, so that I won't have to do much brain works. To be honest, it sounded kinda fun if I were to have that 'Sasuga Ainz sama' moment. 

Sigh... It was difficult to adjust myself to be like Megose completely to the point that I could call myself Megose's clone or twin. Actually, that would be pretty creepy... Therefore, it was only a matter of time for me to expose myself eventually and there was really no excuse for me at the moment except 'feeling unwell and nervous about this lovely distinct gentleman that aunt Christina recommended to me' temporarily to buy me some time. It might not take me that long to get used to this body, but I didn't expect my butler Hans to be a beyonder. Ah... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

On one hand, it was reassuring that at least I got some extraordinary meat shield- ahem, bodyguard by my side, then on the other hand it was because he is one that it exposed my identity so early. Very VERY early. Was I mad about it? Of course not. This wasn't really Hans's fault, it concerned the life of a whole family after all. Not to mention that if anything were to happen to them, the first person who would get caught in this fire is the wild beyonder in the scene, aka Mr. Hans.

As for why I marked him as a wild beyonder? He wouldn't be this caution, just a small timeframe when I was conversing with my family, it was enough for Hans to take this precious opportunity to report any slightest abnormality to the division he worked under. Plus, in the novel, there was nowhere for Megose to get preg with evil god offspring if there was such an official there.

Oh. I forgot that there was that quill and a certain bishop whom everyone wanted to gang him up till even his mother couldn't recognize his face too.

Suddenly my fists started itching so badly. Sooner that asshole will use Megose, in this current situation- me, as a pawn to his plan. And that day is coming even closer each day. Who knows if I woke up tomorrow and I might find myself unexpectedly notice that stupid ass Lanevus's face unusually handsome and decided that it wouldn't be that bad to engage him. Shoving worms up my rear end.

Anyway, if Hans dare to turned against me, I would like to give him one hit in the head for exposing me and destroying my newly acquired peaceful life. One really light hit, trust me, I didn't expect myself to be able to stand a chance against beyonder as a pitifully fragile and petite lady either.

I wonder what would happen if I trained this body till I got tanned, well-developed, bulky biceps.

I don't think that would look good on Megose's docile face...?

That actually reminded me of that one manga's cover, a monstrous man with unproportional gigantic mountain-like body packed tightly with muscles in each part of his body. And then, his head is a little blond-haired cute face and tiny hands. My goodness, that sent a chill down my spine.

But in all conclusions, let's leave Mr. still-harmless-for-now Hans aside, the matter about Lanevus still concerned me the most right now. I don't know whether it was only because of his scummy plan to scam people penniless or him being under the control of that quill at this moment... No worry, no worry. If I were to assume from what I remember, I don't think that quill could detect Megose being replaced by me. Not to mention Megose probably didn't have a huge role in his script. I hope our benevolence bastard could overlook my existence and chose someone else. If it still came to the point I was being forced like Trissy, I still have to do what I can do and give it my all till the end. It was better than dying without even trying or struggling.

Huh... Anyway, once that time came, if one day aunt Christina wrapped that bomb up and delivered him to my doorstep. Either I'm going to run away from home right away or beaten up that scum with my heels. Oh, and I'm going to threaten Hans somehow to join me in the ride too, being my helping hand to make that guy's life even more miserable. The more the merrier, isn't it? Haha, I'm sure Mr. Lanevus will appreciate it.

While my brain circuit ran about wildly, Hans's face also changed to various colors I didn't expect to see it on a person before he finally agreed to my request.

"...My pleasure"

...Why are you looking so reluctant? I suspected you think I'm going to kill you if you refused me.

I looked back at Hans who quickened his pace whistled past me to take the lead. He pushed open the door, heading in. I followed behind and was quickly being assaulted by the stuffy smell of alcohol. I thought my body would sway uncontrollably due to dizziness, but surprisingly I managed to staying still on the spot like a statue. How impressive, lady Megose, to think this body could withstand it. I gave her a thumps-up in my heart.

As I surveyed the place that I have only seen in a text form curiously, I saw that in the middle of Evil Dragon Bar was a boxing ring. Two half-naked men were in an intense brawl and surrounding them were dozens of customers shouting and cheering on the side they supported with no lack of vulgarities. Suddenly, an idea of how to make easy money came to mind.

I quickened up to Hans's side and whispered.

"Mr. Hans, Can you go wrestling with them? I'll place all my bet on you."

Hans looked at me with a blank face, even if I wasn't a beyonder from audience pathway I could see the bewilderment in his eyes. Hans sure was expressive despite his calm demeanor, it made me wonder why Megose hasn't noticed this up till now. 

"Lady Megose, I'm just a butler"

Hans smiled wryly and gave me a dry chuckle. That phase reminded me of someone... removed the butler part and replaced it with a dog.

'Oh. Susie.'

This time it was my turn to look at Hans blankly- judging by the startled look on his face, I must have mistaken my silly expression as something else.

I hurriedly tugged at Hans's cuff and pointed to a billiard room at the back. 

"I was just joking Mr. Hans, let's keep going"

Brushed aside the awkward moment just now and my loss of an opportunity to make money, we circled around the boxing ring and walked into a billiard room.

There were two people holding cue sticks and having a casual conversation, obviously playing billiards. They noticed our arrival and fell silent, their gaze landed on me for a few seconds before settling on Hans. No one spoke for a moment. 

'They won't start fighting here right?'

While I was thinking about how to throw hand with them one of the man suddenly laughed out loud. He walked up to Hans and slapped him on the shoulder with a big grin on his face. 

"It's been ages I haven't see you Old Hans, I thought you were already a homeless at this point!"

"Didn't I already told you I got a new job long ago?" 

"Goddess I thought you were joking-"

"So you what you mean is that you didn't think I have the capability to?"

Once that sentence dropped, plus Hans's smiling face, the man choked and turned his head away while whistling nervously.

The other person who was playing billiard with him burst into a laugh, his laughter was so loud it could deaf someone's ears. Very irritating.

I hated it.

"Haha Old Hans don't mind him, that brat actually missed you so much he brought up the topic about you every time we gathered here y'know? My ears are going to rot"

"You shut up!"

Ah, I felt my presence fading away bit by bit amidst their heartwarming bickering. 

"By the way Old Hans, who's that young lady over there?"

Suddenly, out of nowhere I became the centre of attentions.

I nodded at them politely.

"Hello Mister I'm Megose, Mr. Hans's... niece."

"..."

Hans smiling's face almost collasped. But I'll pretended I didn't see that just now. 

"Oh! Nice to meet you, Miss Megose. Damn Old Hans you got such a beautiful niece! Tch tch, how envy"

"Old Hans you have to take care of Miss Megose throughly"

Hans groaned and shooed them away.

"You brats get out of the way already I have to take... my niece for a shopping"

Good job Hans, thank you for your cooperation, now I hope you won't ask why I told them I'm your niece when we went back.

"Alright see you later Old Hans, don't forget to drop by once in a while."

"Yeah, my gut feeling is telling me you will be coming to see us very often later on"

We escaped from the grip of those two chatterboxes. While I was one step into the secret door I still heard their voice behind my back.

"Damn dude, don't you think that reunion was as short as your d-"

"Hey you, Miss Megose haven't left yet"

"Cough, my bad"

'Great, I heard it all'​

I followed behind Hans and walked through many rooms in a row. I raised a question in my mind to Hans by my side.

"Mr. Hans, they are your acquaintance?"

When it came to me Hans stiffened up again. Hey, do you think I don't know you're taking double standard against me? When you were with them, I clearly see how relax you were compared to me. Perhaps sensing my displeasure Hans lifted his hand up and lightly coughed to dispel the tension.

"That two just now used to be my informants"

I nodded, indicated for him to continue. Hans fell silent, so I had to throw a glance to his way.

"... You must have known, I was a beyonder but I already quit long ago, so I don't really have time to contact them again"

Hans staring back at me without avoiding my eyes this time, there was an unconcealed vigilance and hostility against me.

"There are a few people who mean a lot to me. And they're both, among that selected few."

Stopping in my track, a tickling sensation welling up in my chest, which made me chuckle uncontrollably. I sighed and tapped his shoulder.

"Relax"

I walked past Hans.

"Believe it or not, I have no such intention" ​

Ignoring the feeling of being staring at, I passed through the final room. 

A marvelous sight spread out in front of my eyes, I stepped into a very large-looking place. I borrowed the sentence from Klein to describe it.

'A place that was about the size of a lecture hall from his previous life.'

Yes, it was that large.

As it was approaching night time, there were various sizes of light from candles dancing everywhere my eyes could perceive, like a group of fireflies.

People who seem to be vendors have settled up stalls by the side of the road with bottles, jars, exotic flowers and plants- hold on, is that a stone I see right there?

Well yes, apparently they even sold a handful of stones here too.

It's, ah, I don't know to describe it. But it made me even more baffled that among a group of passed by pedestrians, some stopped by and bought it along with them.

This... Is it because there were beyonder from lawyer pathway? Or is it their natural persuasion skill?

Deep in thought, I once again turned to look at the person who have appeared by my side unknowingly, my formidable and reliable butler, Mr. Hans! I stared at Hans with yearning eyes.

"... No, my lady, you can't sell a random stone like them here"

"Oh"

How disappointing, thought I've found a way to produce a money tree.

----------------

Author's note:

We're going to meet Ademisaul! (I write his name wrong so many times, nice)