Chapter 31: Darkness Beneath the Prosperity

When Kobayashi reappeared, feeling the slender, soft touch in his hand, a complex emotion of both relief and disappointment welled up within him.

"So, even with your own consciousness, you are still not acknowledged? My apologies, Yuri."

"There is no need for you to apologize, Master Kobayashi. If anything, it is fortunate. Without me, your attendant, by your side, you would surely die the moment you turned around. After all, you are just that incompetent, Master Kobayashi."

"May I interpret that as you worrying about me?"

He was already accustomed to Yuri’s tsundere sharp tongue, and it was not difficult to hear her true feelings beneath the words.

Kobayashi turned to her and said, "But Yuri is right. Having you by my side is what makes me feel at ease; that is beyond doubt. Thank you, Yuri."

"Does Master Kobayashi hope to rely on me that much?"

"Ah, so may I ask for your support, Miss Yuri?"

Kobayashi bowed slightly, extending his right hand toward her with an expectant gaze, as if inviting a young lady to dance.

Struck by this sudden, direct approach, Yuri’s mouth opened as if she intended to retort, but after a pause, she only said, "It cannot be helped. Who else is there to serve you, Master Kobayashi?"

She placed her hand gently into his.

Kobayashi gripped it firmly.

They looked at each other and smiled.

***

"Well then, what shall we do next?"

Looking at the buildings, which were completely different from those in Konosuba, and the hurried pedestrians, Kobayashi’s initial nervousness and caution made him look like a young deer constantly testing the strength of a river current before daring to cross.

There were many people around, yet they showed no curiosity toward the suddenly appearing Kobayashi. It must have been the effect of the ring, which could briefly obscure his presence.

Suddenly, he was bumped from behind.

"Ah, it hurts."

A soft, pained voice and the sound of something hitting the ground came from behind him.

He turned around and looked down.

A very thin little girl, roughly eleven or twelve years old and dressed in coarse hempen cloth, had fallen to the ground. Scattered around her were a few shriveled, moldy, and rotting apples.

Kobayashi knelt down to help her pick up the apples, asking with concern, "Are you alright, little one? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Thank you for your concern, I am... fine... Wait?!"

The little girl had thanked him politely, but when she saw Yuri, her smile instantly stiffened. Her bright, lively eyes filled with obvious terror, and her voice began to tremble.

She looked as if she had seen a ghost.

Seeing her pale face and frightened expression, Kobayashi grew concerned for her well-being and asked, "Are you alright?"

Yet, this simple show of concern only made the girl more terrified. She quickly knelt before Kobayashi, pressing her hands to the ground and bowing her head repeatedly.

"I am sorry! I am sorry! Please forgive me! I am sorry! I am sorry! Please forgive me! I am sorry! I am sorry! Please forgive me! I am sorry! I am sorry!..."

She did so with such force that her forehead began to bleed, yet she did not stop, continuing to mutter pleas for mercy.

The girl’s sudden actions caught Kobayashi off guard, leaving him unable to react in time.

"Hey, you...! Why are you doing this?"

Recovering his senses, he quickly helped the girl up, preventing her from further harming her fragile body.

At the same time, Kobayashi keenly sensed the strange gazes being cast toward them—pity, worry, disgust, and hatred. The looks of good and evil shifted constantly, landing alternately on the girl and on him.

But whenever he turned to look at the crowd, the people quickly averted their eyes, not daring to pry further.

What on earth was going on?

Though he could not understand why the girl was reacting so violently, Kobayashi knew he had to stop her immediately, or it would surely cause a major commotion and attract unwanted attention.

After being helped up, the girl continued to apologize, saying in a panic, "I am sorry! I did not mean to offend you, my lord noble! I have a bedridden mother and a young brother at home who need someone to take care of them! Please forgive me! Please, I beg you, forgive me!"

My lord noble?

Was this fear related to the nobility?

Kobayashi caught the keyword. Thinking for a moment, he forced a gentle, friendly expression and said softly, "You have misunderstood. I am not a noble."

"...Eh?"

"Just like you, I am only a commoner."

Hearing Kobayashi’s explanation, the girl seemed hesitant to believe him. She took a cautious glance at Yuri before asking timidly, "Really?"

"Yes, really. I am not lying to you."

Although Kobayashi explained it to her, she still seemed skeptical and couldn't help but ask in a whisper, "You are not going to punish me for bumping into you?"

"I am not. So, please, stop hurting yourself."

Kobayashi touched her bruised forehead with a pang of heartache and used a skill to heal the wound.

"You... really won't punish me?"

"Of course not. Now, now, don't you have a sick mother and a young brother to care for? You should go back quickly."

Upon hearing this, the little girl suddenly fell silent, her eyes turning dull and lifeless.

She picked up her basket from the ground.

She walked away slowly, looking back every few steps as if waiting for something.

Kobayashi simply stood where he was, watching her with a smile.

Only when the girl reached a certain corner did the light return to her eyes. She turned back, gave Kobayashi a deep bow, then lowered her head and hurried away, her figure vanishing into the alleyway.

"Master Kobayashi..."

"Ah, I know. There is something wrong with this city."

Kobayashi looked toward the magnificent palace in the distance and the bustling, lively streets.

Even with such a commotion just now, it had not drawn much attention from the people around—or rather, they had noticed but chose to ignore it, as if they were already accustomed to such things.

Was this a dark side hidden beneath the prosperity?

"Hmph, interesting."

Kobayashi became even more intrigued by this new world.

However—

Whether it was bad luck or good luck, he bumped into someone else.

This time, it was an elderly woman leaning on a cane.

"Oh my~ I've fallen, old as I am."

The old woman on the ground groaned softly.

Kobayashi quickly knelt and extended his right hand to her, asking with concern, "Ma'am, are you alright?"

"Oh dear, young man, I am so sorry for bumping into you," the old woman said, grabbing Kobayashi’s hand with an apologetic look. "I am a blind old woman, I hope you won't blame me."

Kobayashi helped her pick up her cane. "How could I blame you? Here, ma'am, take it slow."

"Thank you, dear."

The old woman gripped Kobayashi’s clothes with both hands, using him as a support to stand up. Once upright, she kept feeling around for her cane, appearing truly to be an elderly woman with no sight.

"Here, let me give it to you."

Seeing her struggle, Kobayashi took the initiative to place the cane into her hands.

The old woman felt the familiar cane, smiled with relief, and thanked him, "Thank you, young man."

"You are too kind."

Kobayashi smiled shyly and asked, "Where are you headed? Do you need me to take you there?"

"No, no, I live just around the corner, don't trouble yourself." The old woman waved her hand in refusal, appearing not to want to bother anyone.

"Very well, if you do not need me." Kobayashi had no objections.

Then, they waved goodbye.

"Goodbye, young man."

"Goodbye, ma'am..."

Kobayashi waved back with a smile, though that smile was rather peculiar.

***

PS: Come now, bury me in tickets!