Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll? – Chapter 22

Published by Bargotz View all posts by Bargotz5-7 minutes 18.06.2023

Episode 2: The Assassin Girl Sets Off on a Journey

A Departing Bird Leaves No Trace

From the day after they bid farewell, they began to move.

Old Bob took charge of getting Ellie’s adventurers guild card issued. Meanwhile, Letty and Ellie explored the nearby town together, delivering retirement funds to their former guild members who were safe and sound.

The reactions varied—some were overjoyed by the unexpected windfall, while others expressed frustration over the guild’s collapse. Each person had their own response. Nonetheless, no one dared to confront Letty, or rather, Ghost, directly.

Fortunately, they managed to distribute the payments without any issues. By the way, Old Bob had been introducing Rita to several nobles to help her find a job.

And then…

“Ta-da! Look at my guild card! Guild card, guild card, check it out!” Ellie exclaimed with a bright smile, proudly presenting Letty with her freshly issued card.

Slightly taken aback by Ellie’s enthusiasm, Letty nodded, “Congratulations, I suppose…?”

“It’s amazing! With this, we can finally go on a journey together! With Letty-san! With Letty-san!” Ellie emphasized, nodding resolutely.

Letty’s gaze wandered, feeling a bit flustered, feeling a slight tickling sensation from making direct eye contact.

“Haha, looks like you’ve grown quite fond of her, Egret! So, did everything go smoothly today?” Old Bob teased, emerging with a chuckle.

“Grandpa… please don’t tease me… We completed our tasks safely, I suppose. We’re pretty much done with the eastern region now…” Letty responded, furrowing her brow and showing a troubled expression.

Realizing something, she turned directly to him, “Thank you, Old Bob. Thanks to you, Ellie was able to get her card issued.”

“Oh, no need to make a big deal out of it. It was just a small favor,” he waved his hand, laughing, as Letty bowed deeply to express her gratitude.

When Letty raised her head, she shook it slowly. “No, I really wanted to thank you properly. After all, I’m Ellie’s master.”

“Fine… In that case, I’ll accept your gratitude. It’s just that you’ve changed in some way, Egret,” he said, observing Letty’s wandering gaze and finding it quite touching.

“Letty-san… for doing something like that for me…”

“Ellie, it’s not such a big deal…”

Exclaiming with a voice full of emotion, Ellie hugged Letty. Although Letty wore a troubled expression, she allowed herself to remain in the embrace.

“It means a lot to me!!”

“I hope there isn’t any alcohol left…?”

They had drunk together at Rita’s insistence the day before. Although Letty had a decent alcohol tolerance, she wondered how Ellie managed to maintain such high spirits in the morning.

“Well then, instead of fooling around here, why don’t you go to your room first?” Old Bob suggested, clapping his hands.

“You’re right… Come on, Ellie,” Letty agreed with a nod.

“Yes… Oh, let me carry your luggage, Letty-san!” Ellie hesitated briefly, then quickly moved closer to Letty again.

With one hand effortlessly taking Letty’s burden, they made their way to the room they had rented on the second floor of the shop.

Observing the two as they left, Old Bob leaned against the counter, squinting. “Well, looks like this might just be the perfect opportunity for Egret.”

The once stoic girl, who resembled a machine, had undergone quite the transformation thanks to Ellie’s influence.

This blend of surprise, amusement, and a tinge of bitterness… It was a complex mix of emotions.

“Perhaps we’re partly responsible in shaping her like that,” he muttered.

When Old Bob joined the guild, she was already an established member, fully developed as a tool. He had reservations toward her. Being a newcomer and an outsider, he couldn’t express his thoughts. But he knew it was merely an excuse.

That’s why Bob felt a sense of obligation to assist them on their journey, as a means of redemption. It wasn’t just because it concerned her; no, it was precisely because of that. He hoped this journey would be a positive experience for her.

“Now, Letty-san, we’re all set! Let’s depart right away!”

“Ellie, take it easy…”

Hearing those words, Ellie plopped down on the bed, eagerly waiting for the next move.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by Ellie’s enthusiastic gaze, Letty coughed to regain her composure. “It’s already late today, let’s get some rest. We’ll take our time preparing tomorrow and set off the day after… Don’t look so glum, okay?”

Ellie’s face drooped slightly upon hearing those words.

In the midst of contemplating what to do, an idea struck Letty. “Hey…?” she said, gently stroking Ellie’s head.

Inspired by Ellie’s reaction when Rita stroked her head, Letty decided to give it a try. It seemed to have quite an effect.

“W-Well, I suppose we have no other choice. You must be tired too, Letty-san, so let’s get some sleep tonight!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Is it really that simple? Will everything turn out just fine?

As Letty did her best to offer comfort, Letty couldn’t help but harbor those worries in her heart.

***

Author’s Note:

I had always journeyed alone. Well, perhaps it was more like moving rather than traveling.

Now, we’re going on a journey together. It makes me realize once again that even the preparations are different when there are two of us.

Up next: Thoroughly Preparing for the Departure

And it’s certainly not unpleasant.