Chapter 105.2
The impact of his landing spread over the earth as Garfiel slowly straightened his back .
In front of him was a line of two carriages .
Garfiel’s murderous presence had shocked the ground dragons into a state of extreme agitation while the driver frantically called out to calm them .
For Garfiel, this driver was a familiar face,
[Garfiel: Just when I was wonderin’ who it is, if it ain’t th’noisy bro . Hah! Should’ve guessed . If that bastard’s dupin’ anyone into this, it’d be you]
[Otto: That statement is awfully…… oh, nevermind, I know all too well what people think of me…]
Garfiel stuck his hands into his trouser pockets, while the driver―― a troubled-looking youth with longish grey hair, Otto, gave him a wry smile .
Skillfully controlling the reins, once he had managed to calm the agitated dragons, Otto let out a small sigh .
[Garfiel: Y’act like it’s no big deal, but ground dragon usually pack their bags ‘n run off when I’m serious ‘bout threatenin’ ’em]
[Otto: I had to persuade pretty hard to make sure that didn’t happen, you know . And besides, I’ve informed them beforehand that you’d be coming]
[Garfiel: Hah――?]
Unable to believe what he’d just heard, Garfiel’s ears twitched at Otto’s statement .
His fingers unconsciously reached for his forehead as he stepped forward, intending to ask Otto what he was trying to say .
[Garfiel: What’s that supposed t’mean? You thought y’could slip outta here thanks t’the chaos and then got yerself caught when I found ya . Ain’t that what happened here?]
[Otto: Yeah, you’re exactly right . Taking advantage of chaotic situations is bread and butter for us merchants . But just when I’d been promised a handsome reward and was about to succeed without incident……]
[Garfiel: …………]
Otto buried his face in his hands, his schemes ruined . But, sensing a certain calmness in Otto’s gestures and words, Garfiel’s confusion only deepened .
This isn’t the attitude of someone whose plans had just been foiled . In fact, doesn’t his expression look just like Roswaal’s when everything was playing right into his hands?
[Garfiel: That attitude and that fuckin’ expression…… y’look just like the fuckin’ asshole I hate th’most in this world]
[Otto: There goes another horrible appraisal…… but, just for reference’s sake, mind if I ask which one you’re referring to? I really want to be improving our relationship from now on]
[Garfiel: Hah! Me ‘n you? Don’t make me laugh, moron . ――The asshole I hate th’most in this world is lointerin’ in th’nicest room in th’Sanctuary, gettin’ the VIP treatment this very fuckin’ moment]
[Otto: I see, I see… must be tough, when the one you have your heart set on is falling head over heels for your love rival . I do sympathize with your plight]
[Garfiel: Y’want me t’force yer fuckin’ mouth shut? Oy?]
Garfiel smacked his tongue in annoyance as Otto mocked his feelings for Ram .
Indeed, Garfiel could have settled this with force if he wished to . This escape attempt had already failed the moment Garfiel found out about it .
They weren’t going anywhere . But as long they didn’t try to force their way through, Garfiel saw no need for any unnecessary violence .
His first order of business should be settling this matter quickly and returning to the Sanctuary .
His priority was to preserve the Sanctuary, and this was nothing but a minor distraction .
[Garfiel: Anyway, now yer escape plan has failed . If that son of’a bitch is here, tell him t’come out . He better start apologizin’ for pullin’ this shit, or there’s gonna be pain]
Garfiel needed somewhere to vent his pent-up frustration .
And besides, Garfiel needed to know just what that youth―― Natsuki Subaru―― was thinking, pulling a stunt like this .
It was only a couple of days ago when he’d boasted that he would break through the Trials and liberate the Sanctuary .
Even if he had lost heart, it just happened way too quickly . Frankly, it’d be too much of a cop-out if that were the case .
It’s about time Garfiel slapped him straight――
[Otto: Ehh, unfortunately, I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet that request]
[Garfiel: Hah?]
[Otto: Haven’t you noticed? You said it yourself, I’m wearing the face of the man you hate the most in this world . Then surely, you don’t expect me to do something that hated man wouldn’t do?]
[Garfiel: ――――]
Ambiguous and roundabout, Garfiel couldn’t understand what Otto was insinuating .
But Garfiel could tell that those weren’t statements he could just let slide . And above all, the fact that he was wearing the same face as that man he despised―― Roswaal―― meant that everything was going to plan .
[Garfiel: ……Th’fuck are you plottin’ , oy]
[Otto: Oh right . Speaking of that face you and I both know, I guess you can call it the “I’m totally plotting something” face?]
Otto rubbed his nose as he said this, looking like he had just done something mischievous . Garfiel narrowed his eyes, and only now noticed the strangeness of this scene .
There were two carriages, Otto, and two ground dragons before him . ――But there was no driver on the driver’s platform in the rear carriage .
Or rather, it was more than that .
[Garfiel: How come… when th’dragon freaked and jolted the carriages… none of the bastards inside showed their fuckin’ faces?]
[Otto: Hmm, I wonder why that would be?]
Otto shrugged, playing dumb, while doing nothing to stop the pale-faced Garfiel from approaching the carriages . Garfiel swiftly hopped onto the back of the carriage and wrenched open the flap to the passenger deck .
And, when he saw what was inside, Garfiel made a deafening clench of his teeth .
[Otto: ――There’s no one there, you know?]
[Garfiel: No shit…… gh . Th’fuck is going on! I smelled th’stench of a whole fuckin’ crowd of’em movin’ with the carriage……!]
Sending spit flying as he stepped into the passenger deck, Garfiel’s sentence abruptly trailed off halfway .
At his feet, strewn all over the passer deck, were piles of clothing . Countless articles―― men’s, women’s, adults’ and children’s, all dumped together . Meanwhile, faced with this sight, Garfiel’s cheeks contorted as he realized that his nose had been deceived by this remarkably simple trick .