Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 142: Arc 3, - 52: Fake Smiles

"Who bothers me at an hour like this?" the skies were a light purple, a slight red and orange silhouetted against the thin clouds.

"Sir, the, Thundering Blade and her companions," the guard in full chainmail and a polearm relayed.

"What!?"

"Apparently they were with an incoming group of travellers heading for Galuvit Town, but were caught in the travel ban. They wish to speak with you to leave sooner," the guard never lifted his head.

The minister put a hand on his forehead, pushing it up to his short spiky tufts of black hair. A green shirt he quickly buttoned, adorning a tie, "Where are they now?"

"In the guest hall sir."

"Provide them refreshments, I shall be out in a minute."

The minister hurriedly put himself together, shutting the drawers of his desk with lock and key. He cracked his neck and elbows before walking out; a shadow appeared through the window as he closed the door.

Jotou, Hotaru and Asobi sat in cushioned sofas whilst a fan spun overhead. The guards kept an eye, one of them brought glasses of juice and a plate of chocolates before them. Hotaru’s eyes widened...

"Hey, if you wanna eat them, don’t let me stop you. One at a time, alright?" Jotou picked up one of the pieces for herself.

The red ears wiggled, "Yes," Hotaru took a deep breath, "I’ll control myself... So you don’t make fun of me again," a side-eyed glare.

Jotou gave a light chuckle before popping one in her mouth. Her teeth sunk into it and... Jotou could feel her nerves melt, her bones like jelly; her eyebrows relaxed completely.

"This is, the best chocolate I’ve ever had..." Melting against her tongue slowly but surely; the consistency solid yet soft, the hint of milk and sugar lingering as it went down. The blonde’s face was stuck in pure delight.

Walls of white and rugs that Asobi wiggled her toes in. Seeing the blonde in bliss, Asobi took one herself, "This is as good as breakfast’s!" Asobi smiled, her eyes closing with the sensation of chocolate melting.

Hotaru’s ears twitched and her lips wriggled... She closed her eyes as both to her left and to her right her friends enjoyed the delicious confectionery.

"Ugh, fine!" Hotaru hushed to herself as she picked one off the plate, as much as she forced herself not to. The hairs on her ears and tail spiked in pleasure as she ate one.

Jotou glanced to her, "You should probably stop right there."

Hotaru brought a hand over her mouth, "I know..."

"Well, we can’t blame chocolate lovers for coming to Galuvit, can we? Eat as many as you’d like, we are happy to provide more. It’s not like you can get this same taste in Burnetrout or Nirenus," the minister walked out from behind them.

"Wow, I would not have believed it if I didn’t see her myself. Thundering Blade, your news spreads wide across Cravolta. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Eustace Saady, the Minister of Hartamat," he gave his hand.

They stood up, Jotou taking his hand to shake, "They are certainly delicious. Nice to meet you minister, I’m Jotou Howllett. The recipe for these must be quite complex," a pleasant smile on the blonde.

"Ah, that’s part of it," the minister grinned, "Cravolta also has a special breed of cacao trees that thrive in hot climates with less water; the processed cocoa has a distinct taste.

Please, sit Ms Howllett. Make yourselves comfortable," he moved his hand to the others.

"Hotaru Kinoshita, adventurer."

"The Amazing Asobi, magician and adventurer, " her beaming grin lit the room, shaking his hand.

Taking their seats, Jotou scanned him over, "You seem to know about the crops here well."

"Yes, I may have left my studies in agriculture behind in my political endeavours, but I do still pride myself as a scholar much like the scholars of Luxinor."

"I can tell," Jotou smiled, "Speaking of which, on our way here down the long paths from Kria, the grass seemed to be kept so well. I’m not that well-travelled, but so much grass even in Hartamat, must be hard to manage."

"Oh, those? Yes, a Maleficos Ordinate member from Cravolta City comes around every so often and uses her magic to clear out most obstructions of grass, even down the paths.

Her last visit was not too long ago, I’ve met her on several occasions. Ah yes, Kria, the paths; I hear you have been caught up in the travel ban?"

’I thought so. He has no idea about the time resets; just a corrupt official out for money. Likes to boast a lot too. Just act friendly and remove any sense of suspicion he might have. Keep yapping for me prick.’

Jotou pouted a little, "Yes, it’s put a dent in our schedule quite a bit."

"I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can lift the ban anytime soon."

Hotaru sat up, not having anymore chocolate besides the one, "We completely understand. If someone were to disappear or die while the ban is up, it may affect the reputation of Hartamat.

We have been informed a battalion from Trailon has set up camp nearby. We understand it’s for our safety and the safety of any traveller.

While Hartamat cannot be blamed for private transports like the ones we commute with, if anything were to happen right out the borders of Hartamat, there is no question where the responsibility would go to in the eyes of the general public.

However, despite all of this, we were hoping there could be some way for us to acquire a pass out of Hartamat?" the redhead smiled at the end.

’Nice acting Aru.’ The blonde sat up, looking back to the minister. "Or at least, a way to expedite the lifting of the travel ban," Jotou added.

"Hmm," the minister held his wrist, "I’m unable to provide a pass, the reasons you seem to be well aware of. The battalion has left us in quite a conundrum."

"Ooo! Maybe tell us more about the bad guys?" Asobi took another piece of chocolate.

The minister glanced up, "I suppose..." The gears in his head shifted, "I can’t recall every detail at the moment. What I can remember, is that this battalion had been set up a couple of days ago. Hartamat’s Defence Force reported this last night.

Apparently this is a rogue battalion, diverging from the invasion party in the west coast of Galuvit who have minimized Cravolta’s borders.

Our Defence Force is set to leave tomorrow to deal with the threat. Since it’s a rogue battalion, no mercy has to be taken. So the ban can be lifted once they report back on a victory, three or four days from now."

His finger brushed across his moustache, "If the Thundering Blade would like to join in the defence force’s endeavours, this can be resolved much quicker. I’ve heard the feats of you and your party."

"Oh yes! We’re quite the spectacular group," Asobi made illusory stars over the three of them.

"Then perhaps, we can commission you and you can leave much sooner. I can talk to Major Schroeder; our forces would be stronger. And I’m willing to offer... twenty armite for a success," he threw his offer with his arms.

"Twenty armite!?" Asobi’s eyes sparkled, leaning forward.

’Is Asobi just acting really well or is this a genuine reaction? I already told her...’

Hotaru chuckled, gently pushing Asobi back, "That’s a generous offer. Give us some time to talk amongst ourselves and we’ll be back in, half an hour?"

"Take all the time you need; this is fantastic. This issue can resolve much quicker in your capable hands after all," the minister gave one big clap to get up and show his guests out.

On their way to the door, between teeth, "Why did we ask for half an hour?" Jotou whispered on the redhead’s shoulder.

"You said that’s what happened. I thought to just follow it. We can check on Meko too," Hotaru hushed back.

"Fumeko should’ve had plenty of time to get what we needed and get out hopefully. Nice work Aru."

The redhead blushed a little and smiled, "Thanks. Things seem to be going smoothly," Hotaru stepped out the door, alongside Jotou as the guards stood by.

"What are we whispering about?" Asobi whispered on Hotaru’s other shoulder.

"You two realize my ears are up here, right?" Hotaru’s ears shifted slightly as both Jotou and Asobi’s eyes darted up. "You’re just whispering into my hair and I’m just hearing you here anyway."

"Are we whispering too loud then?" Asobi raised her head.

Hotaru’s right ear wiggled as she felt the whispering air tickle it. She raised a brow, "I think it’s just because my ears a little more sensitive."

The three walked out the area of the minister’s office, to be met by a shadow that appeared. Fumeko kept low, despite no guard being nearby. She held a briefcase and some documents. A smug grin upon the brunette’s face, "Got it."