Subaru Natsuki offered an explanation.
However, Felt pressed her hand to the chest of the collection badge and said:
"How did you know I stole the badge? I shouldn't have let anything slip by except for the client. Stealing the badge is a recent thing; even if you overheard it by chance, your ears are incredibly sharp!"
Sensing that the two would continue their endless chatter, Higashino Makoto interrupted them.
"That kind of thing isn't important at all. After all, you steal things for money, right? Name your price."
Felt then noticed Higashino Makoto standing to the side, and Reisen with rabbit ears behind him.
"Wow, so you're quite wealthy, buddy!"
Felt seemed a little annoyed. Although what the other person said was true, she disliked the air of a rich person, which Felt had grown up in the slums.
She hated nobles and rich people.
"It's true I'm rich, but I won't spend it on that badge. You can discuss the money with Subaru Natsuki; I just hate wasting time pointlessly."
She then turned and left, with Reisen following behind.
Let me know when you've finished negotiating; I'll be waiting for you.
Ultimately, the two failed to reach an agreement on a price.
The group arrived together at Old Man Rom's stolen goods shop.
After Subaru Natsuki showed off his phone "Meteor," it was valued at a high price of 20 Holy Gold Coins.
The items are certified by remarkable professionals who make a living selling stolen goods and take pride in it, ensuring their direct value.
Subaru proudly squinted at Felt.
"See? My hand is just that good. As he said, it's worth more than twenty Holy Gold Coins. I'd like to use this to barter for the badge you're wearing."
"Your face always looks like that, it really makes me angry."
Things weren't going to be interesting if things went as Subaru Natsuki had predicted, Felt looked unhappy.
"I understand your hand. The fact that you can exchange it for money is assured, and frankly, I'm pleased. Twenty Holy Gold Coins is a fair price."
"Right! So, the negotiation is settled. Selling the goods is their job, good luck! Now that's settled, let's have a drink to celebrate everyone making a sale!"
Subaru strode towards Felt and reached out his hand to ask for the badge.
But Felt gently pushed his hand back from above.
"By the way, why do you want this badge, young man?"
Subaru Natsuki was speechless for a moment.
"Hehe, whether it's you or that older sister, they're both the type who don't like to talk about it."
Higashino Makoto observed the two with great interest, watching Subaru Natsuki, who was caught in a dilemma, and Felt, who was wearing a smug smile, as if he were watching a show.
"I--"
"Pleiades."
Higashino Makoto's voice sounded from behind.
Subaru Natsuki turned his head and looked at him.
"Mr. Higashino --"
"Don't rush."
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the counter, and looked at Felt.
"Do you want the badge?"
Felt looked at him, a hint of wariness flashing in her red eyes.
Who are you?
"Just consider me this guy's ally."
Higashino Makoto extended his hand.
Felt's hand rested on the short sword at her waist.
"I said, I'm not selling."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
Then he gave a smile like a lion eyeing its prey.
"Fine, if you don't want to sell, then don't."
He withdrew his hand, showing no intention of snatching it.
He was just thinking that once Elsa Granhiert arrived, he would have to teach this little girl a lesson.
"Then I'll wait."
Felt frowned.
"Wait for what?"
"Let's wait for the person who offers a higher price."
Higashino Makoto leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.
"I want to see who's so rich."
Elsa Granhiert the Bowel Hunter, a very sexy older sister.
Despite having some strange quirks and being an assassin, Higashino Makoto doesn't care as long as someone is good-looking.
It would be quite interesting to meet them.
Felt wanted to get rid of him, but instinctively sensed danger, and her body wouldn't obey her commands.
She could only stare at him, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"You--"
"Take it easy."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"I'm just looking around."
Felt's lips trembled.
Who exactly are you?
"It's not important. But he'll probably become your savior in a moment."
The room fell silent.
Felt wanted to retort, but although she had regained her mobility, she was too afraid to speak and could only glare fiercely at the other person.
Subaru Natsuki stood to the side, watching Higashino Makoto's back, a certain light gleaming in his dark eyes.
Reisen stood behind Higashino Makoto, her crimson eyes fixed on Felt, her rabbit ears standing straight up.
Old Man Rom stood behind the counter, his gray eyes watching everything unfold, his hand resting on the weapons beneath the counter.
No one spoke.
Only the wind outside the window rustled the wooden door, making a soft creaking sound.
Then, the door was pushed open.
A figure walked in.
She had long black hair, purple eyes, and pale skin. She wore a black dress and had a curved dagger hanging at her waist.
A seductive smile played on her lips.
He exuded a dangerous aura and murderous intent.
Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter.
Oh my, so many people?
Her voice was soft and languid, with an indescribable allure.
"Felt, is the badge ready?"
Felt looked at her, a flicker of fear in his red eyes.
"Ready, ready."
She took the badge out of her pocket and handed it over.
Elsa Granhiert took the badge, looked at it, and nodded in satisfaction.
"That's right, this is--"
She took a bag from her bosom and placed it on the counter.
"Ten holy gold coins, as agreed."
Felt's expression changed.
"Ten coins, but a customer offered twenty gold coins!"
But I only have ten.
Elsa Granhiert's voice remained soft, but something flickered in her purple eyes.
"Not enough?"
Felt's lips trembled.
"You--"
Elsa Granhiert drew her dagger and licked it with her tongue.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Since I don't have enough money, I'll have to resort to force."
Old Man Rom didn't let her finish.
He raised his battle axe and charged at Elsa Granhiert.
The battle axe slashed down with a whistling sound, its speed astonishing.
Even though he was old and his muscles had become flabby, he was still the giant warrior who once struck fear into the hearts of countless enemies.
The moment the axe blade struck, Elsa Granhiert vanished.
Her body left a black afterimage in the air as she swept past Old Man Rom's side, the dagger slicing across his abdomen.
The blade slices through the skin, through the muscles, and through the abdominal wall.
Blood gushed out, and Old Man Rom's body swayed before collapsing.
The battle axe slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a dull thud.
"Old Man Rom!"
Subaru Natsuki's voice trembled.
Elsa Granhiert didn't stop.
Her figure moved swiftly through the room, each movement leaving a trail of blood.
Felt tried to escape, but was slashed in the thigh by a dagger and fell to the ground.
Subaru Natsuki rushed forward and was slashed open in the abdomen.
In less than ten seconds, all three were wiped out.
"Not bad speed. After the warm-up, I'll be your next opponent."
At that moment, Higashino Makoto walked in from outside the room.
He did it on purpose; he could have struck earlier, but ultimately decided to let them recognize the difference in strength and their relationship as friend or foe first.
"Natsuki-kun, this guy is the enemy, right? By the way, Reisen, heal them, don't let them die."
Higashino Makoto's voice echoed in the room.
Subaru Natsuki looked at Higashino Makoto and felt a sense of relief well up inside him. He nodded earnestly.